I was back, but now I'm gone again... Find me in Japan, NZ or OZ...
I was back, but now I'm gone again... Find me in Japan, NZ or OZ...
Member since:07.08.2001
Reviews:17
Members who trust:14
Living in Zurich, I avoid flights via other European hubs whenever I can - hanging around airports is simply too painful an experience. This is why I normally use AUA only when going to the 'Eastern Alpine Republic' (which is by the way a WONDERFUL place to visit!).
Just over two years ago, I had an absolutely wonderful experience with AUA, however, that I think air travellers might be interested in.
I was on my way home from Honduras in Central America, already dreading the cold (outside an within people) back in Zurich. Due to my laziness where reservations are concerned, the trip home was a nightmare even before it started, going from San Pedro Sula - Miami - New York - Zurich. I was definitely not looking forward to it.
To make matters worse, a storm in Miami resulted in a delay of just over an hour and as there was only one open runway in New York Newark, I missed my 11:30 pm connection to Zurich, together with another 40 or so passengers.
Swissair/Delta ground staff were completely useless dealing with this situation. It took until 4 am!!! to organize hotel rooms and transfers and by that time we didn't even have a guaranteed connection the next day. 'Why don't you try the 10 pm Swissair from Kennedy, there may be some no-shows' was about as much as we got out of them.
Well, I wasn't going to try my luck that hard, so I went to Kennedy Airport first thing in the morning, hoping to get on any flight to Europe from where I then could make my way home. First stop, of course, was the Swissair counter again. They wouldn't accept me on a waiting list and even refused to let me store my luggage with them.
So I dragged 4 weeks worth of dirty underwear, diving gear and what not around the airport, getting more and more desperate until finally...
... I arrived at the Austrian Airlines counter and there he was, my hero in shining armour (well, it actually was an elderly, chubby guy).
After having listend to my tale of woe he smiled the nicest smile there is on earth and said in a very broad Viennese accent: 'Oh deary me, what an awful, awful thing to happen. You must be absolutely knackered. Why don't you leave your bags with me and go have a coffe. Come back in twenty minutes and I will sort something out!' - Sweeter words were never spoken.
And indeed, he'd managed to get me a seat on the next Vienna bound plane with an upgrade to business class. On board I was greeted with a glass of champagne 'Because, dear, you must need this.' After a wonderful light snack I was offered a sleeping tablet and slept like a baby.
Just twenty minutes before landing, I was woken with the news, that I was booked on a plane from Vienna to Zurich which was due to leave just ten minutes after landing. I was told to 'just go right through, you're checked in and they expect you. Don't worry about your luggage, we'll send it on the next plane.'
And so it was, another upgrade, a wonderful breakfast from a very nice and friendly crew and just a few hours later, even my luggage had arrived at home.
pps. Of course I immediately wrote a very nasty letter to Swissair and a very nice one to Austrian, congratulating them for their wonderful staff. I did get a relly nice letter back from AUA....
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Advantages: Excellent service, outstanding competence in Eastern European markets Disadvantages: Rather uncomfortable seating
From_The_Continent 21.02.2001 (23.02.2001)
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Review of Austrian Airlines - AUA
Advantages: Excellent service, outstanding competence in Eastern European markets Disadvantages: Rather uncomfortable seating
From_The_Continent 21.02.2001 (23.02.2001)
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Review of Austrian Airlines - AUA
Aug 7th, 2001
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