For those who continuously bash American carriers as substandard compared to foreign ones-----fly Turkish Airlines. Probably the worst experience I've had. Seat cushions were stained, my tray table had coffee stains (probably because aircraft arrived in IST late and they had to depart for JFK soon after). I can understand that in a rush, corners get cut, BUT when I showed it to a FA she looked like she was annoyed. Of course, she NEVER returned to clean it and I had to do it myself. Not once in the 10 hour flight did any of the FAs smile or interact at all with the pax. However, they sure did smile as we were deplaning! Also, maybe their rules are different but passengers were standing and removing luggage from overhead bins and children were standing in their seats as we taxied to gate, and were never told to sit down by the crew.
I've never seen a more apathetic group in my life. Are there American FAs who behave the same way? Sure, but I've yet to see an ENTIRE crew do it.
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I am not American although I reside here and until recently was a contractor to a foreign airline. I commuted 3 times per month to work for 3 years.

AS - the best domestic airline I have flown with anywhere. On time, clean, happy.

WN - reliable, frequent, good value for money.

DL - Fantastic business class service with awesome IFE. Only flown 4 sectors though.

These airlines are fine airlines and up there with any others in Europe or Oz (where I come from).

Try AF or QF or even BA on a bad day. Not good.

Unfortunately, regarding service Foreign carriers are much better. I have flown Turkish plenty of times and I haven't run across what you describe above. The foreign carriers are more strict with their cabin crews, for example my company is able to fire someone for gaining weight or not putting their makeup on accordingly.

Regarding the service, everything is usually free on board .. something that you rarely find in US carriers unless it is long range.

Foreign airlines is kind of broad to be making such a comparison don't you think? You chose one flight on one airline to make such a comparison?
I could say that the last flight I took on SAS was 180 out from everything you described, but that was long ago and could even be considered a different time. Now my parents who traveled quite a bit internationally usually didn't have much to say positive with US carriers when compared to other international carriers, but again that is an Average Joe's viewpoint, though one from someone who dealt with customer service on a regular basis.

USMCFLYR

Broad brush generalization? I could say the same for those who say American FAs are horrible, miserable, fat and ugly. As a FA, I fly foreign airlines several times a month and have never had the bad experience I did with Turkish. (I, too, thought it was an anomaly but my fellow crewmember told me she has never had a good experience on them.) I feel I can judge levels of service and the "tone" of the crew. As I said, the cabin cleanliness and condition of the seats left something to be desired which isn't the crew's fault. However, I and the rest of my crew who were flying with me had the same experience no matter where they sat in the cabin. We were treated like an annoyance to them and I never saw any of them smile UNTIL we deplaned. Thank GOD I'm flying on Qatar this week.

I hope you will give APC an account of your trip on Qatar and let us know it compared to your last trip.

USMCFLYR

Compare QATAR to any of the US airlines please .. you'll understand USMC post better.

Thanks for the snarky reply, Mr. Moderator. I haven't been a member for long, but don't recall you ever chiding anyone for saying the same about American cabin crews.

Typical Marine.....

I've flown on Qatar many times and it's one of my favorites, for many reasons.

OK so flying with QATAR, are any of the American carriers better than QATAR? or Emirates, or Singapore or Etihad?
Please chime in ..