If you’ve flown on an international airline—whether it’s Singapore Airlines, Emirates, or even Air France—you might have noticed something: the experience is just… better.
From legroom to meals to customer service, foreign airlines often make flying feel like an actual experience, not just a means to an end.
Meanwhile, flying on most U.S. airlines feels like a never-ending battle of cramped seats, hidden fees, and frustrating delays.
So why do American airlines seem so much worse than their international counterparts? And, more importantly, is there any hope for improvement?
Let’s break it down.
Why U.S. Airlines Feel Worse Than International Carriers
Flying in the U.S. today feels nothing like it did decades ago. Legroom is shrinking, cabins are packed, and the service?
Well, let’s just say it’s hit or miss.
Shrinking Legroom & Thinner Seats
Over the years, U.S. airlines have quietly reduced legroom in economy class to squeeze in more passengers.
The average seat pitch (the space between seats) used to be around 34 inches.
Now? It’s often 30 inches or less on many major airlines.
Meanwhile, international airlines—especially those based in Asia and the Middle East—continue to prioritize passenger comfort.
The Disappearance of “Premium Economy”
While international airlines offer true premium economy cabins with wider seats and more legroom, U.S. carriers often just rename their standard economy seats as “Extra Space” or “Comfort+” and charge you more for them.
Overbooked Flights & Packed Cabins
U.S. airlines have perfected the art of overselling flights, leading to passengers getting involuntarily bumped.
Ever seen a viral video of a passenger being dragged off a plane? Yeah, that’s a typical U.S. airline thing—though it does happen elsewhere too.
The Sneaky Fees That Make Flying Miserable
Once upon a time, your airline ticket covered everything: a seat, a checked bag, a meal, and maybe even some service with a smile.
Those days? Long gone.
Now, airlines see passengers as walking dollar signs, squeezing every last cent out of them with hidden fees.
Paying for Everything
Want to pick your seat?
That’ll be extra.
Need to check a bag?
Get ready to cough up $30-$50.
Some airlines (looking at you, ultra-low-cost carriers) even charge for bringing a carry-on.
Frontier and Spirit have turned this into an art form—offering dirt-cheap base fares only to hit you with fees for luggage, seat selection, and even printing your boarding pass at the airport.
And it’s not just budget airlines anymore. Legacy carriers like American, United, and Delta have followed suit, slapping fees on everything they possibly can.
The Scam of “Basic Economy”
This fare class is basically a punishment. You’ll be assigned the worst seats, board last, and be charged extra for any changes—even if it’s just correcting a typo in your name.
Other countries have budget airlines too, but at least they’re upfront about what you’re getting. In the U.S., airlines advertise low fares only to trap passengers in a maze of hidden costs.
How Foreign Airlines Offer More for Less
Many international airlines—especially those based in Asia and Europe—still include checked bags, meals, and seat selection even in economy class.
On carriers like Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and even Air France, you can often get a full-service experience for a price that’s comparable (or even cheaper) than flying basic economy on a U.S. airline.
So, while passengers in the U.S. are getting nickel-and-dimed for every little thing, travelers flying internationally often get a much better deal—without all the extra headaches.
Why Customer Service is at an All-Time Low
Getting help from a U.S. airline shouldn’t feel like a battle, but these days, it often does.
Whether it’s endless hold times, lost bags, or unhelpful staff, flying in the U.S. can feel more like an endurance test than a customer experience.
Horror Stories of Rebookings & Lost Bags
We’ve all been there. Your flight gets canceled, and suddenly you’re stuck on hold for hours, desperately trying to rebook.
When you finally reach someone, you’re met with a scripted response and few real solutions.
Meanwhile, your checked bag? It’s either gone missing or stuck in a different time zone, and no one seems to know when (or if) you’ll see it again.
And then there are the surprise fees at the gate—your carry-on was fine last week, but today, it’s somehow too big, and now you’re forking over $99 to check it.
Moments like these leave passengers wondering: are these rules real, or are they just making them up as they go?
Profits Over Passengers
U.S. airlines love to remind us that they’re a business, and unfortunately, that means pleasing shareholders takes priority over pleasing passengers.
Executive bonuses keep getting bigger, but investments in customer service? Not so much.
Instead of hiring more staff to help travelers, airlines cut customer service jobs and replace them with automated systems that leave passengers stuck in an endless loop of “Press 1 for frustration.”
No wonder so many travelers feel like they’re being treated as an inconvenience rather than a paying customer.
Foreign Airlines Set the Bar Higher
Meanwhile, airlines like Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Qatar Airways consistently rank at the top for customer service.
Their staff is trained to prioritize passengers, and their call centers actually answer the phone.
Compare that to American, United, or Delta, where complaints about rude staff and unhelpful policies are all too common. U.S. airlines often act like they’re doing passengers a favor by letting them fly, while foreign carriers treat them like valued customers.
The difference is hard to ignore.
Delays, Cancellations, and Chaos
Flying in the U.S. comes with an expectation of delays and cancellations. But why?
America’s Airports are a Mess
Many U.S. airports are outdated, overcrowded, and underfunded. Compare JFK or LAX to Singapore’s Changi or Doha’s Hamad International, and it’s night and day.
More Budget Cuts = More Disruptions
Airlines are constantly cutting staff, which means fewer people to handle baggage, assist customers, or get planes turned around quickly.
The result? More delays and mismanaged flights.
What Airlines Don’t Tell You About Compensation
In Europe, passengers get legally mandated compensation for cancellations and long delays.
In the U.S.? You’re lucky if you get a meal voucher.
How U.S. Airlines Are Falling Behind in Comfort & Innovation
Let’s talk about the actual in-flight experience.
Better Seats, Better Food, Better Everything
International carriers usually have more comfortable seats, better meals (yes, airline food can actually be good), and even premium economy seats that feel like domestic first class.
The Secret to Scoring a Better Experience
If you’re flying domestically in the U.S., sometimes your best bet is to book an international airline that operates within the country.
Airlines like Air Canada and Turkish Airlines often have a better economy experience than their U.S. competitors.
Which U.S. Airline is the Least Bad?
If you have to fly a U.S. airline, Delta tends to rank the highest in terms of reliability and service.
But compared to top-tier international airlines? It still falls short.
Can U.S. Airlines Improve?
The short answer?
Yes.
The real question?
Will they?
U.S. airlines could step up their game by:
✅ Investing in better seats and more spacious cabins.
✅ Ditching junk fees and offering more transparent pricing.
✅ Prioritizing customer service and actually listening to complaints.
✅ Modernizing their IT systems to prevent meltdowns and delays.
But as long as U.S. airlines keep prioritizing profit over passengers, don’t expect major improvements anytime soon.
