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 ...

Marilyn of newark, NJ May 11, 2009

I booked a vacation package on expedia for my husband and I to Santo Domingo. shortly after doing so we found out we were expecting and my pregnancy was a high risk pregnancy. I called expedia and was told that I would get my money back for the hotel and other fees, since I paid for insurance, however Continental would NOT refund my money. I would have to pay 150.00 per ticket to reschedule.

I called Continenal direct and was told twice that If I had my doctor send then a note stating that I had a high risk pregnancy I could have a refund or a credit which ever I prefered now mean you I was told this by two different people. I called today to see what was the status of my refund and i was told by a very rude Reisha that my condition was not considered a health concern! and that they would waive the 300.00 if I booked by jan. 10.

With the economy the way it is and going thru having another child I can for sure use that money...but they wont hear it...you have to be in your death bed so continental airlines gives you your money. I WILL NEVER USE THEM AGAIN. IM DISCUSTED BY THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEIR GREED. LOST OF OVER 900.00

Warren of Carmel, CA May 6, 2009

I was on flight 5828 flying from Houston-Bush Intl to Louisville, KY. The flight was full and the flight attendant needed two seats for a lady and her infant. Initially, she asked for volunteers to give up their seats. Two gentlemen offered their seats to the attendand, but she got distracted with another passenger a few rows back. When she returned, the same two gentlemen again offered their seats. Although she was standing right beside them, she acted like she didn't hear them. They both stood up to find other seats. When they did, she loudly proclaimed that there were two seats in the back of the plane and "they could just fight over the seats". She then began to complain everyone in ear-shot of her voice that they had bad attitudes. As one of the gentleman was going to his new seat he looked at me and just shook his head. I laughed in empathy and shook my head too. The flight attendant saw me and asked me what my problem was. I said that the tow gentlement had twice volunteered their seats. The attendant said that was not true, and that they both had bad attitudes. I responded that she was the only one with a bad attitude. She then accused me of interfering with her job. At this point I had had enough and asked for her name or badge nuimber. That pushed her into the stratosphere. She yelled for a gate attendant, who was on the plane for some reason. When the gate attendant came back to us, the flight attendant proclaimed that I was being VULGAR,and interfering with her job. Fortunately, the gate attendant interjected enough sanity into the situation for the flight attendant to leave. I have flown for years on business - I had > 1 million miles on USAirways. I have never had a bad experience with any flight attendant on any other airlines. To the contrary, it's usually the attendand taking the gruff from the passenger. Needless to say, Continental Airlines will not be a choice for me in the future.

Andrew of Birmingham, United Kingdom May 4, 2009

On our recent trip to Rochester NY and New York City we suffered the following at the hands of Continental Airlines: 1. Member of cabin crew rude and aggressive during flight to Newark. 2. Flight from Newark to Rochester cancelled because of bad weather - later flights still taking off. At least they put us up in a hotel and gave us food vouchers. 3. Not checked in properly at Rochester for return flight so Continental computer recorded me as a 'no show' and cancelled all my onward flights back to UK. 4. Unable to check in online or print any boarding passes. Staff at Continental desk at Penn Station take two hours to reinstate homebound flights.

5. At Newark Continental staff initially refuse to help - one actually pushes me away and threatens to make sure I don't get on any flights if I ask for his name. Eventually get things sorted after another 30 minutes at the desk. In summary, Continental managed to make a relaxing and exciting holiday in our NYC timeshare stressful and spoiled. We are waiting for a response...

Amanda of Hanover, IN May 1, 2009

We are scheduled to go to Cancun Mexico May 20th 2009-May 26th. We are attempting to get our money back because it is dangerous for my friend to go when there is a flu outbreak because he has a heart condition and the government is saying not to go if it is unnecessary. They will not give us our money back. They will only give us credit of roughly 300 out of the 800 we paid. I feel this is taking advantage of people when there is a crisis and very bad business because it is going to anger customers who might never use them again. This is our first time dealing with this company and I plan to never use them again if we don't get our money back. In addition we purchased travel insurance through another company and were told "pandemics are not covered."

matt of Ithaca, NY April 25, 2009

I was seated in the exit row and had stowed my small computer bag behind my legs. I refused to give it to flight attendant being afraid that the computer would be damaged. She twisted forcefully it from my hands (I am a retiree of 65, and no match to her). Then she squeezed it with force to an already full overhead bin.

After the trip I found that computers aluminum case (its a mac) was twisted so badly that some functions did not work anymore. I succeeded finally fixing it, although there still are tell-tale bends in the sheet metal. I am of the opinion that if the flight personnel sees it fit to confiscate your equipment, even if temporarily, they also assume the responsibility to handle your property carefully and do no harm. Quite obviously, this was not the case here.

mary of BUSHKILL, PA April 24, 2009

i was travelling to england one april 20 2009 from newark airport nj with my husband, daughter, and disabled son (WHO IS AN ADULT). we were treated very badly. when contintenial airlines people carried my son onto the airplane they were banging his feet and arms and had no regard for how they were handling him. Well upon board the flight crew treated us so bad, we kept infoming them before landing please make sure ground crew are there to get my son off the airplane. they kept telling we will take care at landing.

Well before we were about to land the crew came around to check everone's seat they came to my son and went to check then stopped and said "whatever" and walked on. Upon landing there was noone there to get my son we were the last one off the plane we waited approx. 45 mins before the people came and the crew were bitching because they couldn't get off until we were off (we were an inconvenience to them) and to top of they lost my daughters luggage and when we were travelling to the states they lost my sons walking frame. they have caused tremdous anxiety to me and my family i will certainly not recommend contiental airlines to anyone with a disability.

Lameka of Santa Maria, CA April 23, 2009

I booked a flight with Continental back on 25 Feb 09, however, situations changed and on 9 Apr 09, I had to cancel my flight. I called Continental and asked the lady on the phone about cancelling my flight and wondered if there would be any fees associated with this. She told me NO. She said you can fly at anytime and there won't be any additional fees. So, I'm thinking wow this is so great and wonderful. No wonder I love this airline. Well, I called on 22 Apr 09 and was told "no, you have to pay 150 and she didn't have to tell you anything". Very RUDE AND VERY BLUNT!

I couldn't beleive my ears. I've come to realize I will have to pay this money but I do not deserve to be treated like [this]. In this recession, those of us who do have some kind of money to pay for a ticket, deserve top notch customer service. We don't deserve people who aren't compassionate. I'm not a freaking crook and I don't go around scamming poeple, I just want to be treated with dignity and respect. I didn't deserve such rude behavior from the three people I talked to on the phone tonight. Very disturbing.

I may not be able to put a dent into their airline but I will spread the word for others to not fly with Continental. I will not fly with them either. I will drive my car before I fly on that plane again. I suggest you do the same or read the fine lines and ask ALOT of questions. I wonder what it would have cost her to let me know that I'd be incurring extra charges if I cancelled my flight. NOTHING! NOT A DIME! Guess this is how they make their money!

Larissa of South Amboy, NJ April 22, 2009

On 4/13/09 I had a fight for myself,husband and 3 children. As we boarded the plane my 2 year old son got scared. I was holding him trying to console him when the attentent approached me and told me if he doesnt put on the seatbelt you will have to get off the plane. so we got off,even tho there were no seatbelt signs on and the plane had not finished boarding. When i asked about my lugguage the guy at the gate said it will be in Ft.Lauderdale(where we were going). Every employee on that flight was so rude. When I called to make a complaint I was told that the attentants wxpect minor children to just sit in there seats. I will never fly continental even if they did give me a vochure for tickets i already purchased. and wont refund my luggage fees either.

Patricia of Menifee, CA April 18, 2009

Patricia of Menifee CA (04/18/09)
We were leaving for a flight from Ft. Lauderdale, Miami to a connecting flight in Houston. The flight was 5 hours delayedbecause of the weather in Houston which is weird because I saw other airlines such as Southwest and jetBlue still going on with their flights to Houston. So we had to wait there for a long time until our plane was ready. Then we arrived at Houston and we were put as Standby on another flight that leaves at 11 something.

The worst part was what comes after it after we get to Ontario and I have to say, Continental Airlines are a bunch of assholes. My baggage was destroyed. They lost my 400 retainers, lost the key to my lock, destroyed the wheels and pocket zippers of my luggage and lost everything that was on that pocket! Then all they told me was they did not cover that and the lady at the baggage service said I'm sorry.

Seriously, what the hell. Now I have to spend I'm sorry, but I really do not recommend Continental Airlines. I knew it would have been better to go with jetBlue or Southwest. Screw you, Continental Airlines. You are a great disgrace in the world, please disappear already.

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