Cramped seating on a United flight to Houston, Texas. But overall, not a terrible experience.

United Airlines is responsible for my worst travelling experience EVER.

After applying a significant amount of pressure on social media, the airline made me ‘sort of’ whole by issuing me with a travel voucher as compensation.

I wanted to use it. Still, I was fearful of a repeat abysmal performance by United.

Read Tank’s United Airline’s horror story – July 2012

I used the voucher in August 2013 to pay for a return flight from Seattle to Puerto Vallarta. As expected, there was a wee hitch on route to Mexico.

     Read about the United ‘hitch’ – August 2013

So overall, how did United perform this time around? Quite well actually. I hope this is a sign of an airline with a horrible reputation getting its act together. Finally.

These are my reasons for a more positive review than in the past:

• Check-in at all four ‘legs’ of the journey was quick and simple. The scanner read my Canadian passport and supplied boarding passes. No tears or hair pulling this time.
• United had ample, trained staff in the check-in area to help us out.
• My luggage didn’t get lost and wasn’t battered by baggage handlers.
• I was able to upgrade to business class on two legs of the journey – the longest ones – for a fair price.
• With the exception of the delay in Houston, we left and arrived on time.

My last rating of United was 0/10. Taking into consideration my horrific experience with the airline in 2012, plus this positive recent one, I’m revising my rating to a tentative 6/10.

I’m still slightly wary of this airline, but considering flying United next year to Honduras. Not sure I’ll let United handle a brand new suitcase though.

Here are some pics of Puerto Vallarta.

In Banderas Bay, looking at old town Puerto Vallarta.

Looking up from the downtown Malecon

The downtown Malecon. Gorgeous.

View from the Rosita Hotel, next to the Malecon.