A reader called Steven emailed me his review on the newly added United Airlines direct route, Kuwait to Washington DC. Its kinda long but it might be interesting for people who are considering this route (or airlines even). Here is his take on the flight:
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Hi Mark, I am a frequent traveler from Kuwait and have gold status in the frequent flyer programs of Kuwait Airways, Emirates and British Airways. I decided to try United Airlines new direct flight from Kuwait to Washington DC (14 hours) this weekend and I have to say that the flights there and back on United Airlines were some of the worst I have flown.
The flight UA981 on January 20th from Kuwait was one and a half hours late to fly because of computer problems on the aircraft. They did serve welcoming drinks – water. Once the aircraft flew, the inflight entertainment system was partly bad and the airmap which I like to use to track progress was not working. The business class seats have a very uncomfortable headrest in which the lower part presses onto your shoulders and forces you to sit in an uncomfortable position. The food aboard was very poor and service staff was not very attentive. To make matters worse, the lavatory drainage in business class backed up causing their sinks and floors to fill with foul smelling brown goo. I am sure there was some serious health hazards there.
Since the flight was one and a half hours late arriving I missed my onward flight to New York. When I went to the service counter I was told that I would have to wait for a late afternoon flight even though there were two other United Airlines flights to my destination prior to that. I asked for priority on wait list for an earlier flight and was told that United would not assign any priority even though their late arrival had made me miss the earlier flight.
I was eventually able to get on the next United flight on non-priority wait list and made it to New York. Of course even that flight departed late as it seems that delayed flights are normal practice for United.
My flights back from New York was very crowded and poorly managed. I checked with the gate staff to ensure my checked bag was aboard and upon checking the computer I was assured that it was. The flight departed late as usual for United.
Once in Washington DC I again checked with the gate staff to make sure my checked bag was onboard prior to my getting on the aircraft. They checked the computer and assured me it was. The flight was only slightly delayed and actually arrived early in Kuwait… yea! The food aboard was as bad as the flight over so I skipped the meal and decided to sleep instead. Again uncomfortable seat backs and this aircraft’s airmap was also not working (it seems that United has problems with maintenance??)
Upon clearing immigration I waited patiently for my bag and khallas… nothing. I went to the lost baggage counter (operated by Kuwait Airways) and there were no United Airlines personnel to help the several people who were waiting there with lost bags. The Kuwait Airways staff was helpful and filled out the lost bags report and gave us the number of the United Airlines station manager Mr. Ravi. I called Mr. Ravi who said he was over at the cargo area and was very busy so he could not help us. After about an hour a United Airlines staff member arrived and did his best to help but all he could say was that they could not locate where my bag was on the computer since there was no tracking information after it was checked in and scanned in New York. Sorry and maybe it will come in tomorrow.
I am very disappointed with this United Airlines flight and would not recommend it to anyone. Between their poor aircraft maintenance, overflowing lavatories, bad food, uncomfortable seats, poor baggage management and mostly unhelpful staff I didn’t see any positive things about it. I am sure that if it didn’t get US government priority as the only US flag airline to operate into Kuwait I am sure most people would avoid it. For those of you who are forced to use it, my condolences.
28 replies on “United Airlines – Kuwait to Washington DC”
I would not even think of using this service mainly due to the bloody flight time. it’s just unhealthy to sit in an airplane that long.
i would rather sit in the plane instead of bored at the airport.
hmm.. my review of the opposite flight (DC to kuwait) was COMPLETELY opposite 😐
Washington > Kuwait
I would never fly on United! They have one of the worst services possible! I would avoid flying any american airline if possible!
I LOVED this United flight and I used to hate UA flights in the US.
I had outstanding service. Fillet mignon perfectly prepared with fresh asparagus with hollandaise sauce for lunch. Flight attendants were very helpful. Seats were comfortable in business class (headrests can be adjusted BTW). The restrooms were quite small, actually, but not unpleasant.
United’s policy is that if their business class is not full, they will offer upgrades for $500 to economy travellers at the ticket counter. Other airlines don’t do this. Regular rates were reasonable.
In the past 10 years, I most often fly BA, followed by KLM, Lufthansa and Air Italia (once) — having to transfer with all (longest time in transit was 6 hours). I would much rather be on a direct flight. United, by far, was the best flight (and the shortest at 11.5 hours with a tail wind from IAD).
For those of you who haven’t tried United in a while, you should.
1- it’s unhealthy – as holla said – to sit in an airplane for 14 continuous hours.
2- chances of the airplane falling and you dieing with sea water filled in your lungs are nearly twice the two separate flights.
3- Osama Bin Laden has a crush on US flights, you don’t wana bother him and his stud!
most flights crash either close to take off or landing… so 2 flights instead of 1 would be stastically more dangerous.
Falling and dying in the sea depends on whether your flight’s over the sea or not.
UA is great for US domestic flights, one of the best. however i guess their intl. flights suck.
are you kidding me? I used this flight twice the past 2 months, and IT IS WAAAY BETTER than any kuwait airways flights. I mean okay the airplane is old maybe and the entertainment system sucks, but I dont care, the crew is SO FRIENDLY, hell they even remembered me during my 2nd flight. At least it is the only direct flight that does not go like 2 hours late ALWAYS as kuwait airways which NEVER EVER takes off on time!
(I’m not working for UA by the way :P)
i love it when the plane delays in amesterdam 😉
there’s no way u can go from Kuwait to USA without going over the sea.
well, you can always use a spaceship.. but technically, you’re going over the see again.
I totally agree with the person who wrote the article same exact experience. THe flight attendants were friendly but busy chatting with a friend i had no assistance what so ever i was traveling alone with a baby the food was ok but i was starving the bathrooms were filthy . i asked for a blanket .. the flight attentandant told me that she’s resting and went back to sleep i looked for someone else to get me a blanket for more than 30 minutes . i asked for front seats but was told by the flight attendant no these seats are for the crew to rest on.. i asked for the bassinet iwas told to sit and wait till after takeoff because she was busy and for some reason annoyed !? Btw i was seated in business class and i called previously for a bassinet
it’s impossible to me to be seated that long due to slipped desk problem i have,, to other ppl it may be possible
the review may be a good comedy movie story
I just came back from the US on this flight. Its not too bad, around 14 hours going to Washington and 10 hours on the way back. The service is very slow, and the air hostesses seriously lack training as well as being over aged (no young ladies!).
Also the down side is that they charge $5 for alcohol! But on the other hand the seating is comfortable and nice and quick.
We are not surprised by these bad services and it seems they want to be a Hush Hush airline. United Airlines doesnt even want to disclose who represents them in Kuwait, which is against Kuwait law. There is a lot of funny business going on with this airline, and its not limited to the awful service. Maybe you can help find out who represents them in Kuwait? And why they are keeping it a secret?
United Airlines can be no patch on Emirates, Qatar and Etihad Airways.
But compared to traveling Kuwait Airways first class I’d much rather travel cattle class on United Airlines, thank you very much.
I flew UA several times now from Kuwait to DC and the service has been fantastic. Not only do you get to arrive in the US well before any of the European connections, you can connect to almost anywhere within 2 hours of arriving. As for the plane, it was clean, the flight attendants proffesional and the service on par with any ‘global airline’. There will always be days when not everything runs like clockwork, but in my opinion, and I travel every other week for business, the United service is fantastic (and I dont even have a ff card with them!). I also have had great service from the UA office in Kuwait – not quite sure what the big secret is that someone refers to – but I truly hope United expands their service – its long overdue.
Clearly you are not an avid traveler as you struggled to adjust your headrest. By the way, the seat back can also be reclined. These adjustments and more can be done by yourself without the need for a flight attendant.
It was unfortunate that you experienced delays in your travel, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
The reason they are secretive about who represents them in Kuwait is for the reason the same GSA is representing another US carrier, so the smart people create a company with different identity to avoid a breach of contract with the other. One point in the contract for GSA is that you cannot represent another competator, so the GSA creates another company to avoid the breach of contract..As far as the services of United goes well all I can say is that GUYS SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT.
Before I thought that speeding long time in the airplane flaying is too much to handle, but when I try it! I said it is the best way to avoid transit and waiting for the next flight! So give it a try and you won’t regret it, just take anything interesting with you and you’ll never feel the time passing.
I flew united from Washington to Ku airplane was old & filthy Kuwait airways is lot better.
Jajaja: Please read my responses:
1. All one needs to do is walk around every few hours or so and/or perform the in-seat exercise techniques. It’s not that difficult to do well on a long flight. Singapore airlines flies straight from NYC to Singapore and that is 18 hours.
2. Actually takeoff and landing are the riskiest parts of flight. The parts of flight involving cruising over the ocean are easy (let the autopilot do it). If you look at airplane accidents, most occur during takeoff and landing. Therefore, nonstop flights are safer than multiple stop flights. What stages of flight were Singapore Flight 6 and that One-Two-Go Flight in Phuket? Take-off and landing are the riskiest parts of flight, so minimize takeoffs and landings as often as possible.
3. Ever since 9/11, OBL hasn’t had his way in terms of US flights…
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1- it’s unhealthy – as holla said – to sit in an airplane for 14 continuous hours.
2- chances of the airplane falling and you dieing with sea water filled in your lungs are nearly twice the two separate flights.
3- Osama Bin Laden has a crush on US flights, you don’t wana bother him and his stud!
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I traveled by united from kuwait and I prefere to travel again with united its the best airline and i would suggest if they have direct flight to chicago as well. their service is excellent and seats are comfortable and staff is also very good.
After reading majority narratives I decided not to travel with United Airline for 2 reasons
1-I reside in USA for some time I’m sure USA airlines don’t pride in there services.
2-My kids demand services in return of there hard earn money spend in United Airline revenue
Ha, I was on United flight 982 Dulles to Kuwait. Guess what, both lavatories in business got clogged and flooded biz class floors with brown goo. The brown goo got all the way back to my seat (14A). It must have been the same aircraft. I flew UA981 on Jan 26th on my return Kuwait to Dulles. This time only 1 lavatory got flooded. Same aircraft. This is complete negligence, United clearly knows there’s a problem and refused to fix it. To make matters worse, I tried to use the lavatory in First and the flight attendant rudely turned me back telling I have to use the coach lavatories. I’m a Global Services passenger and so take it from me, United service is horrific.
I am traveling from Kuwait to DC, how many bags I am allowed to check in and how many carry with me in cabin ?
Thanks
We have travelled United before and had a very enjoyable and hassle free flight. It is a long flight no doubt, but we like it cause there is no wait in transit and check in etc. We find United confortable and convenient, so much so we are travelling again on UNITED in September!! cant wait:)
I travelled by UA in may2014 with my wife. I had no problem whatsoever as some had mentioned earlier. Either it was not true or rectified by now. I like it becos it was the only direct flight to IAD as far as I know. I am impressed so much that i am sending my wife alone this summmer!