#67 out of 94 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings.
450 reviews
This is the return journey of my first-ever international visit from India to the USA.
The return flight is by United Airlines with two transits. Los Angeles to Newark to Delhi to Bangalore i.e., LAX - EWR - DEL - BLR
I was staying in Venice area of Los Angeles from there, around 5 PM I took bus number 3 ($1.25) – Venice to LAX New Transit Ctr Bay 13 (bus stop). This bus stop is clean and nice, but the shuttle bus connectivity to the airport terminals isn't that frequent. However, there was clear navigation and boards at the bus stop. After waiting about 20 minutes, I boarded the shuttle bus to terminals 1, 2, 3, 4 … 6, 7.
In the morning, I received a text from United Airlines; I liked this kind of communication – very sharp, detailed and perfect.
I reached my gate as per the text message.
Just inside this gate – the first counter I dropped my luggage (suitcase); the United Airlines staff asked if I want I can give another luggage/bag for free to check-in. But I didn't because the other bad had a laptop inside.
Thereafter I was in Premier Access - Gold track for passport scan and security.
This was the first time I was doing security at any of the American (USA) airports - Domestic or international.
I saw no water bottles are allowed, and even shoes have to be removed (which is not the case in India)! Also, this was the first time I was seeing "Pet Care" inside airport and dogs were roaming happily (with the owner), which is not allowed in India.
Once I cleared my security, I sat in a nice location inside the terminal near gate number 75B.
Then, the boarding begins. Again, I had so many new experiences that I saw dogs travelling inside the cabin! .
Then it was around 1hr 30min of the flight, and there was an announcement saying, Medical Emergency and the flight has to be landed in Denver Airport, Colorado! The fight landed. The doctor came, but then there was another announcement saying that if anyone wanted to go out (near the boarding gate only, to walk and stretch their legs) can go. Nobody was going, so I took the initiative, and seeing me, many people joined.
But we had to carry the carry-in bag with us as well.
While waiting for the doctor everyone in the flight was either sleeping or watching something on their screen, but I was standing near the aircraft's gate and was talking to the flight-attendants.
As soon the doctor came, he asked what medicines are given to the passenger, listening to their conversation it feels like, there are some VERY STANDARD medicines should be available on the flight, either regulated by the USA government or around the world in all international/domestic flights.
Also, the doctor was not wearing white apron and have a stethoscope, but he was also wearing the green jacket like other airport staff/ground staff, so he must of the doctor on duty, on the airport.
Track log - Screenshot - Emergency landing at DEN.
Denver airport – Outside and boarding area
And then after a waiting of about 40 minutes the flight was again ready to fly again! We boarded the flight and then there was food in the flight. (Sorry I didn't clicked the picture) but it was good enough.
In about 4hr more we were about to reach Newark (EWR).
It was a heavy rain/storm prediction in the New York City on 3rd of April. And as soon we were about to reach EWR the TURBULANCE BECOME HEAVY! I was not at all worried, frankly. But when I saw people around me panicking it was making me worry as well!
See the track-log graph and table, which shows HEAVY TURBULANCE near 6:30 AM (Just before the arrival of EWR) – The flight struggled a lot for about 30 minutes continuously. There were 10-10 meters of drop and gain in the height in every few seconds.
As soon as the flight came below the clouds, there were heavy raindrops on the aircraft (we were able to see on the screen)!
Thankfully, the pilot made a safe landing, and for the first time in my life, I witnessed people clapping for the pilot – a medical emergency and this landing in the really bad weather !!
The official flight arrival was 5:40 AM, but we reached it at about 7:40 AM or so!
Now, although at LAX airport they said my luggage was directly booked to Delhi (DEL), but here I had to collect my luggage again.
Maybe because the layover was for 15 hours (13 hours now - due to a delay in the flight).
My luggage arrived at the belt.
It was the airline's mistake that they kept my bag on the INCORRECT belt, and I had to wait for about 30 minutes for it and then check it on the belt beside it!
All these delays shortened my transit time from 15 hours to 12 hours, and it became interesting for me to check in my luggage for the DEL flight in the morning itself because United Airlines accepts luggage 12 hours in advance.
Then I boarded the AirTrain from Terminal C to Newark Airport Railroad and then to New York City !!
Overall, I was happy with the Airline and both of the airports!
My first US domestic flight was with United Airlines, so I could not COMPARE or comment much on different aspects, but this first flight gave me so many NEW experiences! People were praying to God during the turbulence.
Good point - the crew was nice, and the cleanliness of the cabin and toilet was maintained!
I planned to visit Manhattan and NYC during this 15-hour layover, and it was so good and fantastic. I roam around the places in Manhattan on the cold, windy and rainy day, April 3rd, 2024!
Les contributeurs de Flight-Report ont posté 5 avis concernant 2 compagnies sur la ligne Los Angeles (LAX) → Newark (EWR).
La compagnie qui obtient la meilleure moyenne est Virgin America avec 7.9/10.
La durée moyenne des vols est de 5 heures et 24 minutes.
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4 Comments
Was it a full meal or more just a snack service? Just curious.
Thanks for sharing a more in depth report of what happened on the flight.
It was kind of a full meal, like some rice dish, sweet, fruits, bread and butter with tea/coffee/soft drink at the end.
Yeah I don't think shoes have to be removed anywhere except the US. Standard security screening here is a pain and long lines...I'm thankful to have TSA Pre-check access for expedited screening where we don't have to remove anything from bags and can keep shoes on.
Wow, that's crazy. On your first international trip! I've taken thousands of flights over the year and have never had a diversion for medical emergency...that's some bad luck!
Good thing you had a 15-hour layover in NYC, that 2h delay would have ruined most connections.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
LAX/SFO-EWR are some of those rare domestic routes that actually get meals
I would like to share my experience in this regard further. I hope the passenger who needed in-flight medical assistance is healthy and out of danger now.
While waiting for the doctor to come, some passengers were either sleeping or watching something on their screens. I was the one standing at the gate and talking to the flight attendants. The doctor did not come in a "white apron" like we see in normal life; the doctor was also wearing a green coat, like other airport /ground staff. He must be the doctor on duty at the airport. And as soon as he entered he asked, what medicines were given to the passengers,
I believe there must be some VERY STANDARD medicines that should be available on the flight referred by the US government or it is all over the world, so every airport doctor and understand this in any emergency situation around the world, irrespective of the language and chemical formula of the medicine.
My experience was that as soon as I came out of the aircraft in the boarding area of Denver airport, I connected my phone to Wi-Fi, opened Google Maps and took a screenshot of my location; that, how I ended up in this location. Even though I had my international internet pack available, I prefer connecting to the aiport Wi-Fi to register my presence.
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