Airlines

[NoahDriver]

For about a year now, I have been doing most of my traveling on American Airlines (AA) and have had a great experiences with them. I'd love to know other good airlines out there that have the same level of customer support, comfort and friendliness as AA does.

 

Short and simple: Who do you fly, and why?

 

 

 

NOAH

[jimboivyo]

Noah (you hot boy). Nice post. As you know, I mainly fly private due to my location, but when I do fly commercial, it's with American. They have a large network of flights and tie into some of my favorite European carriers, so it works best for me.

[monroejobber]

I always fly Continental Airlines, as I am only 34 minutes from Houston, which is a Continental hub and I can make excellent connections there to just about anywhere on earth. I have always enjoyed the excellent service with Continental.

 

Joey

[instudiocity]

I fly Delta and American primarily because they go where I'm going. I enjoy their frequent flier programs. But I have to drive 28 miles to LAX (that's minimum 45 minutes and has taken 3 hours.)

 

I fly Southwest from LA to Phoenix, Sacramento, Vegas, San Francisco and San Jose. I don't like to change planes on a trip and with SWA you're going to one of these places and then change. But I can go to Burbank (5 miles) to catch the flight.

[Guest countryboywny]

I always fly Continental Airlines, as I am only 34 minutes from Houston, which is a Continental hub and I can make excellent connections there to just about anywhere on earth. I have always enjoyed the excellent service with Continental.

 

Joey

 

I think that where you originate has a lot to do with which airline is your favorite. Living in the northeast, it is hard to beat US Airways for price and convenience, and I have to admit that I've never had a bad US Airways flight. That being said, when US Airways moved their Pittsburgh hub to Philadelphia a few years ago it was the end of my loyalty to them. After being used to a super convenient airport at PIT, we were forced into the nightmare that is PHL. I avoid going through PHL like the plague. It's too bad, but for traveling in and around the Northeast, US Airways has the best schedules and options.

[+ deej]

As others have said, a lot depends on where you're flying from and where you're flying to. It does no good to have beaucoup miles on AA when you're flying to/from a Continental hub. ORD is the primary United hub so they're hard to avoid in Chicago.

 

I started flying AA a few years ago when they advertised "a tad more room in coach" because it really did make a big difference. For the last few years, my usual trips have presented a choice between AA and United. AA is vastly superior. For BUR->SEA, Alaska Airlines has the only direct flight.

 

I stayed in a hotel in DEN often for a while that had the United contract for housing stranded crew and passengers. They had 100+ guests, compliments of United, every night of the year due to cancelled United flights. On Christmas eve I hung at the bar celebrating with a stranded traveler from Colorado Springs. (He woke up warm, well fucked, and as happy as he could be for not being in VT on Christmas.)

 

Bar conversations in that hotel were a hoot. Stranded passengers were mixed with stranded crews and they both sat around bitching about United! LOL

 

On a recent flight into Cleveland, Continental was really the only choice. (Continental is just about the last airline that actually serves meals -- such as they are -- in coach.)

 

No single airline can serve all travelers for all needs.

 

Given my choice, I'll stick with AA as often as I can but it's a self-fulfilling prophesy because that's where I have the most miles and get the most likely upgrades (while getting more miles). If I lived in Cleveland, I'd fly Continental. ::shrug::

 

There's no one answer.

[Epigonos]

I fly a great deal for pleasure. I used to be a devoted fan of American Airlines. I especially liked their LAX to Heathrow flight.

 

However, over the last five or six years there has been a major deterioration in all airlines service including American. Every time you turn around they have eliminated another service or are charging for it. On a recent Swiss Air flight a passenger had to buy bottled water in order to take medication. All airline are about to charge for ALL checked baggage, even the first one, if they aren’t already doing so. Some airlines are considering an additional fee for aisle and bulkhead seats. Seats have become smaller and space between the rows has been reduced. A super economy class, at additional charge, with more leg room and wider seats is being implemented by some airlines. As far as I’m concerned ALL airlines have become cattle cars. If the in flight experience wasn't awful enough the arrival and check-in process has become horrific. With all of the above in mind I now simply travel only with carry-on baggage and pack a lunch. I use whatever airline has the most direct route and I feel no loyalty to any of them.

[+ deej]

Some airlines are considering an additional fee for aisle and bulkhead seats.

 

I paid extra for an aisle seat as far back as 3 years ago. (Delta perhaps?) The company bookkeeper balked at reimbursing me until she saw the look on my face.

 

Airlines are hurting. I get that. But just charge me more for the ticket and give me decent service already!

 

The problem, of course, is airline travel used to be a luxury. They served champagne! Today it has become a commodity.

[Epigonos]

deej you are absolutely correct. I understand that the reason airlines don't want to raise their base prices is because sites like http://www.kayak.com list flights by price. Thus in order to remain near the top of the listings they must keep their prices as low as possible. They can then increase their income with add ons without loosing their placing.

[CowboyUp]

Hi Noah.

I live in North Texas. For short-haul trips, I enjoy Southwest Airlines' customer service, easy check-in (Love Field) and on-time dependability. For longer domestic trips or international, I prefer Delta or AA. On a couple of recent occasions, I've had to fly Alaska Airlines and was duly impressed.

 

My two worst airline experiences ever were on US Airways and United.

[instudiocity]

Airlines have learned..

 

We look for the lowest fare...

 

So they all try to emulate the low-fare carrier, but then add on up-charges:

Checked Bag

Additional Checked Bag

Food and Drink

Aisle or Window seat.

 

They can't cut their fares and make money, but the can attract you with the low fare and then make it up in up-charges.

 

Best way to avoid all these things is fly Southwest, or buy a full-coach ticket. The 'lowest' fare ain't a bargain.

[KMEM]

I always fly BN, but, then, you knew that.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Guest OCBeachbody]

Well so far it all depends on the airport. I usually fly out from John Wayne Airport, and we don't have much of a wide selection there. Depending where there shipping us off.... we usually fly Delta since they fly out of both John Wayne and Long Beach.

 

Although we haven't used Jetblue (they are my favorite!) in a while.... Long Beach Airport is so nice. So old fashioned too... you basically walk up to you plane. Virgin America I have been on a couple of flights, but that when on a few occasions when for some reasons they put is on Virgin, go figure.

[+ deej]

www.kayak.com[/url] list flights by price. Thus in order to remain near the top of the listings they must keep their prices as low as possible. They can then increase their income with add ons without loosing their placing.

 

I'm always glad to quote someone telling me I'm right.

 

The problem with this theory is you should be able to pick a more expensive flight and NOT have the extra fees, but you can't.

 

The system is careening towards collapse, and then perhaps it will correct.

[+ blondeq]

All the legacy carriers are basically the same. There is little difference in their service and some variations in hard product. I prefer Delta because most of their planes now have wi-fi and AVOD. If you are primarily flying domestic, the most important consideration should be to fly enough on one carrier to meet the highest level of their FF program which will allow you the most access to their best customer service. For every conceivable detail about every airline, check out flyertalk.com which is primarily populated by VFF and they have learned all the tricks of the trade for the best experience on all the carriers.

 

BTW, in terms of first class service, Virgin America probably has the best hard and soft product but unfortunately a very limited route network.

[+ Charlie]

There are some airlines that are generally awful, like Aeroflot and Indian Airlines, but most of the time the difference is not the airline but the particular aircraft, airport and flight crew that you get on a particular day. I have had great flights and terrible flights on major carriers like AA, UA and USAir. I try to avoid certain airports, such as LAX, ORD or JFK, no matter what airline I'm flying. Since I have lived in Palm Springs, I've discovered Alaska, on which I have had good luck, but they are only useful for flying on the west coast, since to travel east--which is where I most frequently want to go--I have to fly first northwest to SFO, and then there are many more options on other airlines for continuing, especially if my destination is to a smaller eastern city or to Europe.

[socalboy2283]

I fly around California, Nevada, and occasionally the Pacific NW, so Virgina America is def. my preferred airline. Prices are always comparable to the cheapest carriers, but way nicer. Each seat has their own entertainment console, seats are reasonable, and the staff is all really nice.

[Guest]

I used to fly Delta, then they decided to only count discounted fares half towards Medallion status, so I switched to United, where I was treated horribly. Sassy flight attendants. Rarely upgraded, and when I was, I was usually sitting next to some relative of a United employee who got to fly first class for free at the expense of loyal customers. While I had gold status with United, they actually pulled me out of a window seat I had reserved months ahead of time with no explanation. Since then, USAirways has been getting my business. They almost always upgrade me, and I'm never sitting next to an employee's relative. If you can get over no entertainment system on trans-continental flights, they're pleasant to fly with. If you're a frequent flyer (gold or above), they're good to you. If you're an occasional flyer, you're probably better off with some of the smaller airlines like Jet Blue or Virgin America. Of all US airlines, I dislike United the most.

[JackTwist]

I fly out of LAX, Ontario or Burbank and have recently had the best travel experiences on Southwest Airlines and Jet Blue. I've travelled internationally twice in the last 18 months--both trips on Delta--with positive experiences.

 

Purely based on several negative experiences (lost baggage, frequent mechanical delays, remote terminals, etc.), I try to avoid flights requiring some segments on the legacy airlines' regional carriers (such as ComAir, American Eagle, SkyWest, Continental Express, TED, etc.).

[Guest skrubber]

Continental airlines is the best for me. Always on time and good service is provided. I ditched AA years ago for their constantly not being on time. The kicker - on a trip to San Antonio both legs to SA were late and the first one going home was too. But the flight actually taking me home was on time and left me at the airport in Dallas. When I objected at the counter the attendants laughed at me and suggested it was my own fault.

 

Another airline I will never fly again is Northwest. After providing TWO unflyable planes in Memphis after a long hot sweaty uncomfortable wait on the tarmac. After the second plane was deemed unflyable I was put up in a shabby hotel where I did not feel safe. They have been off of my flying agenda for years now.

[KMEM]

Sorry you had the bad experience in Memphis but I have had the exact same experience in every major city served by the airlines and many of the minor ones. Most recently in ORD, where under the new rules they would have had to let us off because we sat for over 3 hours n the middle of no where.

 

Of course, you won't have to worry about NW anymore as they are fully merged with DL. Was this a commuter or full size airliner? Also, I didn't know any airline would actually put you up in a hotel any more, shabby or otherwise.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Romann]

IMHO, I give a thumbs up to American Airlines primarily because DFW and ORD are two of it's main HUBS within the US both providing 3 hour direct flights to and from the West to the East states. Also, having these two hubs provides greater access to our neighboring countries. Strategically, AA has a strong base in the Midwest states with extensive reach and one of the largest fleets next to Northwest/Delta merger. To further drive my obvious bias for AA, they also have extensive operations to many overseas destinations and first class accommodations are quite impressive especially with newer and much larger craft coming on-line in the coming year and beginning of 2011.

 

If you compile miles like I do, they come in very handy for these much longer flights where sitting in coach would be very difficult. Plus, their OneWorld membership really does bring everything together by providing even more access where AA and their immediate partners, American Eagle don't operate. AA's frequent flier membership I feel is pretty impressive once you reach the Platinum and higher levels. AA also allows you to "hold" the ticket including the price and flight selection for 24 hours which I find to be very useful in the event I suspect prices will fall in coming days. More times than I can count on my two hands, I have logged into my account and did another price of the same flights dates/times and destinations to find the ticket listed 200+ less for whatever reason - great feature! Whenever my flights have been delayed by an hour or two, I've always received bonus miles by calling customer service and now I get double miles for every flight which I couple with purchasing tickets on my AA Advantage CC. I'm a complete miles hoarding gremlin and worse yet, I haven't used 1 single mile to current date. UGH!

 

4 flights a month with them tends to add up quickly but I love flying and airports are one of my favorite places to people watch especially the International Terminal. Lots of good viewing there from all over the world.

 

My 2nd choice would be US Airways but not for their service, no sir. They have pretty good coverage on both the West and East coast throw I feel are lacking in much of the Midwest region. Plus, it appears that they have the most updated fleet which I've experienced on all my last two years of flights with them which is about 3 or 4 flights a year.

 

Delta would be 3rd.

 

Though, what do I know?

[Toulouse]

The Big Easy

 

Delta and Southwest offer the most flight options and usually the most competitive fares out of New Orleans, my hometown.

[Guest skrubber]

Sorry you had the bad experience in Memphis but I have had the exact same experience in every major city served by the airlines and many of the minor ones. Most recently in ORD, where under the new rules they would have had to let us off because we sat for over 3 hours n the middle of no where.

 

Of course, you won't have to worry about NW anymore as they are fully merged with DL. Was this a commuter or full size airliner? Also, I didn't know any airline would actually put you up in a hotel any more, shabby or otherwise.

 

Best regards,

KMEM[/QUIt was a full sized airline