Complain about a product or service

Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines • Bereavement • Canines • Delays • Luggage • Minors • Overbooking • Rudeness • Treatment of asthmatics

It's beyond sad to see how severely service has deteriorated at major carriers. How is it that jetBlue, Southwest and the other low-fare carriers can offer such friendly, even enthusiastic, service while the likes of Continental snarl and snap at their customers?

Southwest says its secret is that it hires friendly people. Maybe a few of the high-cost, low-service carriers should take a lesson from this.

A few of the more recent complaints ...

Mark of Silver Spring, MD November 12, 2008

Mark of Silver Spring MD (11/12/08)
I paid FULL price for a ticket from Baltimore to Las Vegas. I pay for first class due to my long legs. I paid 863 dollars for a first class ticket and NEVR got first class service. First off, there was NO ELITE check in for security. I talked to TSA and they said too bad check with your airlines. it is out of our control. They told me to wait in line with the rest of the people. There were 600 people in line. Is this what I paid for first class. The people in front of me were in the same situation as well. I called Continental airlines and they told me there should be a line for check in for first class. I told them there was not and that TSA told me to call them. Continental then said it is out of their control and you will just have to wait like everyone else. First class...huh??

So I then wait for ever in line just to make the flight and when it is time to serve the meals on my flight they run out in first class. I asked the attendant what do you mean you ran out. She told me that they ALWAYS run out of meals by the 3rd row. She told me to keep in mind that the next time I book a flight to be in the first or second row or they will run out of food. I told her that was not posted on my ticket and that it may not be possible to get food with my first class ticket because of my seating position. She said it is no right but it ALWAYS happens.

So now it is time for my return trip. Once again there is NO ELITE service for check in and have to wait in line with all the rest of the people. The flight was delayed 1 hour and of course no reason was given and of course no food either. Seems to be their motto. First class , with no first class services. Pay us 3 time the amount for your ticket and we will do nothing for you...It gets better.

So at the end of my flight I decide to call to com[plain about all the poor treatment I received for the money. I get an agent and he listens to me and said lets be realistic, who do you think is the problem here, us or the government? Oh yes he said that to me!! TSA tells me in is the airlines problem, and Continental tells me that it is TSA problem. Here goes the blame game. Then the agent tells me that there is nothing he can do and it is not there problem. He then says I will check on something. 30 minutes later, (yes 30 minutes) A woman gets on the phone and asks me what the problem is. I asked her what happened to the agent I was talking to . She told me that he turned it over to her. I asked her what she knew about my problem; she said nothing, So I asked her If I had to tell the story all over again, she said yes!.

I told her the whole deal again, and she was so rude and just said all she would do was put the complaint in and do nothing for me. She then told me if it was their hub you would have got the treatment for first class, but if it is not their hub you get NOTHING. So her is something she blamed on TSA again, and then said they have no control over it, and then told me they have control if it is their hub. Get the point? She also told me that I should gave called them to see if this treatment was available at a particular airport. So they know this upfront and do not tell you this , and then lie about it.

So long story short ( I know it is past that)Continental does not care about you or first class people and uses excuses and the blame of TSA for their problems. They are a rip off and should not be used as an airlines for first class because you will get nothing and they do not want to hear your complaints. They actually tried to talk me out of my complaint ( no joke!)So for 900 dollars I got nothing but misery and no satisfaction whatsoever. Their customer service is of no use in any way! This must stop, if thaty was my report to my company I would fire someone for that treatment. Truely poor training and not wanting to do their job and try to resolve this. I will NEVER fly them again. There are far too many airlines that want my business. I use to fly with Continential 4 times a year; so now it is there loss of money and I will tell all my friends. See how one bad word gets around. I hope someone from the airlines reads this and pulls out the recording of my conversation with their customer agent.

Robert of Colorado Springs, CO November 4, 2008

Robert of Colorado Springs CO (11/04/08)
I am extremely disappointed by the lack of assistance and cooperation provided by Continental Airlines. I booked a travel ticket with Continental Airlines several months ago, to fly from Colorado to Houston, TX, to spend time with my mother, step father, and sister for a pre-holiday visit. My trip was to take place from Nov. 8th through Nov. 16th. On Nov. 2nd, my wifes grandmother passed away. She was in the US Army during WWII as a flight instructor here in the USA, and therefore, will be awarded military honors at Ft Logan Cemetery in Colorado on Nov. 10th.

Unfortunately, this is when I was scheduled to be in Houston with my family. I contacted Continental Airlines to inform them of this unfortunate conflict, and they informed me that it was too bad this happened, and that for a 150 change fee plus the increase in the airfare, I could re-book my ticket. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to pay another 1,000 to change the ticket to see my family.

Therefore, Im left with the choice of 1) attending the funeral of my wifes grandmother or 2) going to see my family, which I have not been able to see for two years. Continental wouldnt even consider a re-scheduling of a flight, unless I paid them an additional 1,000 (approx.). This is very disappointing. I will not fly this airline ever again. They should be reprimanded for this lack of customer service. I would like to see Continental Airlines be more accommodating in times of family loss. Their lack of compassion is despicable

Micheal of Chinnor Oxon, OTHER October 30, 2008

Micheal of Chinnor Oxon, UK (10/30/08)
2 weeks ago i flew from newark airport in the usa to the uk, after paying 1400for the flight, the drinks were an out rageous price, my television screen was the only one on the plane that would not work. the staff were not very helpful so i spent the 6 hour flight sat doing nothing and getting worked up. its really annoying considering i paid such a large amount for the flight.

Micheal of Chinnor Oxon Uk, OTHER October 30, 2008

Micheal of Chinnor Oxon Uk OTHER (10/30/08)
i flew from America to the UK, the whole flight my television screen did not work and after paying 1400 for the flight I was highly disappointed the cabin crew were not very helpful.

Doug of Carlstadt, NJ October 13, 2008

Doug of Carlstadt NJ (10/13/08)
use curbside sky cap check in for my baggage. I was told my bags exceeded weight limit and there is a additional 125 for my bags. I gave my credit card, was told it was declined twice. Paid cash for it, I got two 125 charges on credit card statement even after paying 125 in cash. Continental was very unhelpful threw out this on going matter!

paided 125 cash and was also charged 125 twice on my credit card for same transaction

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