3. Tajik Air, Where the Motto Is, ‘What’s Safety Got to Do With Flying?’
Founded in 1923, the national airline of Tajikistan is considered one of the worst airlines in the world due to its wretched safety record. During the ’90s, it racked up not one but two fatal incidents. One plane crashed at take-off because the plane was overloaded beyond regulation capacity. Seats are not numbered or assigned, so there is a scramble to find a spot at boarding. The cabins are described as old, tired and smelly, and the staff, according to one reviewer, seem depressed.
2. Turkmenistan Airlines Is the Last Place You Want to Be
Turkmenistan Airlines is based out of Ashgabat with service to Russia, Europe and Asia. On the plus side, this was the first former Soviet state to use Boeing aircraft and Western-trained pilots in its fleet. However, their “symbol of hospitality” slogan is clearly missing the mark. Its litany of customer complaints usually centers around unbearable delays (some 14 hours!), frequent over-bookings, and its rude, inefficient service staff. Their seat comfort ratings are abysmal, there’s no inflight entertainment and meals are described as inedible.
1. Spirit Airlines Take No Frills to the Extreme
Spirit Airlines is known for its extreme nickle-and-diming of its passengers. That’s the price you pay for choosing a low-cost, no-frills, a la carte airline. For example, you have to pay an audacious $50 for a measly piece of carry-on luggage ($55 if you check it). Virtually any other “perk” has a surcharge associated with it. We’re surprised they haven’t found a way to charge passengers to use the lavatory or breathe the recycled air. Seats are stuck in the upright position, so don’t expect to lean back and relax. Spirit Airlines is one of the most reviled carriers in America, and people love to complain about it. But the price is right, and budget conscious travelers continue to fly with them despite the issues. The fact that this cheap carrier has a healthy profit margin gives Spirit little incentive to up their customer service standards, so don’t expect things to improve.
