9. With EasyJet You’re Not Buying a Seat, You’re Praying for One
Nobody expects luxury when they book with a no-frills budget carrier like Britain’s EasyJet, but the airline seems to inspire a steady stream of passenger complaints. There have been reports of passengers being checked through to the gate only to find a double-booked flier has already nabbed their seat. One blogger advises passengers to run to the front of the line to avoid forfeiting their spot. Promised frequent flier perks like “Speedy Boarding” don’t seem to happen regularly. There was one incident in 2013 when a passenger was barred from boarding because he dared to make disparaging Tweet about EasyJet. Not surprisingly, the company sparked a social media backlash for this PR gaff.
8. Bulgaria Air…Hope You Brought Your Own Snacks!
The state airline of Bulgaria has only been in the air for about a decade, but is has already had 10 of its fleet nearly skid off the runway at 20-odd airports. Not a very comforting track record. Passengers have reported that flight attendants are reluctant to serve even a cup of water on these flights. The interior cabins have cramped seating and are poorly maintained. Bulgaria Air has been deemed unfit to fly in American airspace for failure to present documents to show the safety of its equipment.
7. Air Koryo Knows That ‘Service With a Smile’ Is An Outdated Concept
Chances are you’ll never fly this North Korean airline, as most of its aged fleet isn’t permitted into foreign airspace due to safety sanctions. In fact, the European Aviation Safety Agency has banned all but two of its aircraft, as only those planes have been retrofitted up to code. Mechanical deficiencies are often covered up with a strategic coat of paint rather than a proper fix. If you do find yourself on Air Koryo, you’ll be treated to such passenger experiences as military marching band tunes to set a rousing tone for the flight, and the state-approved Pyongyang Times for your propaganda reading material. The miserable flight attendants will scowl and grunt at you while serving unpalatable food. One passenger reported that the interior cabin became coated in condensation during the flight, requiring the staff to wipe the walls and windows down. Air Koryo is the world’s only airline to receive a lowly one-star rating from SkyTrax.
