Airlines

[MDPhDWife]

Yep, if I'm flying domestic, I'm flying SW. They've been nothing but reliable for us and their customer service has been great. It's also a rare day if another airline can beat their rates.

If we're flying domestic, it's whoever has the best itinerary and price, I'm a lot less loyal. American tends to have rude flight attendants. We've had great experiences with United, but not to justify paying a higher fare or taking a less desirable schedule.

[GrayMatterWife]

I do not fly Spirit Airlines or Ryan Air (Ryan is an overseas cut-rate carrier). Both treat their clients despicably. I understand that many people don't care; they just go with the absolute cheapest. And usually, I do, too. But I am never desperate enough to use these two.

I love SW. And I have been impressed with Delta in and out of ATL. They have greatly improved. The only thing I don't like is that Delta will play games with allowing you to choose seats when you purchase online, claiming that all seats are "blocked" and you can't pick seats until 24 hours ahead, in a bid to get you to pay more for preferred seating that has an upcharge and is not blocked for assignment. It's BS--I just call customer service and speak to a very automatronic Indian lady with newly acquired English skills who can't handle my inquiry, then get routed to an actual manager located in the US with English as his first language. And he gives me seats, because I am flying with small children and we need to sit together. I do this immediately after I buy the tickets because they are cancellable in the first 24 hours and i advise that, if I can't get seat assignments, I'll just cancel the tickets.

[SoonerTexan]

We usually end up flying American, but I think that will change after the Wright Amendment finally expires at Love Field in Dallas. As a company, I really like Southwest. I've had a chance to visit their corporate headquarters and know multiple people who work for them and love them. They really are a cool company. I was really close to an internship with them, but that's a different story...

As far as safety, I'm going to have to ask my dad (aircraft mechanic) again. He worked for American overseeing maintenance crews and though they had their share of union, etc. problems, he said they did an excellent job keeping the planes safe. He didn't like that Southwest outsourced some of their maintenance out of the US, but I'm not sure if they do that any more. He has a major beef with any airline that does that.

Virgin has had some sweet flight deals out of Dallas--I'd probably pick them if they came in cheapest or close.

[Deebs]

ST - Part of American's bankruptcy plan did include outsourcing their mechanics. Did that change? If I had a parent or spouse who worked for an airline - that's who I'd fly with. Even with some of the perks being cut back, you still can't beat them as a regular passenger. My favorite friend to fly with is the daughter of a United mechanic. He has more seniority than almost anyone in the company and she flies for free with me on a buddy pass. Otherwise, air travel is so comber some with three little ones and having to arrive so early now that I don't mind driving places nearly as much as I used to.

[Mrs.Doctor305]

We've been really happy with Southwest. Sign up for the Rapid Rewards program! During my husband's interviews for Fellowship we were actually able to cash in points toward flights.

[oceanchild]

I feel like it has gotten much harder to actually get any free flights from Rapid Rewards. I've had much better frequent flyer luck with Delta and United.

But Southwest's no change fee policy has certainly been good to me. I feel less like I'm gambling, because you can rebook if the price goes down and keep the credit for later.

[SoonerTexan]

ST - Part of American's bankruptcy plan did include outsourcing their mechanics. Did that change?

Nope, you're right, I looked it up. Guess you're screwed on any airline

[alison]

We fly Alaska for domestic flights. I have their visa card which makes it easy to accumulate miles and actually use them (15k will get you 50% off a flight!). I will say that they nickel and dime you, however on things like check-in bags and in-flight food. We didn't have enough time to pick up food before boarding the most recent flight we took, and had to buy a couple of meals on board.

For Germany, we have always flown the United/Lufthansa code share. If you get a Lufthansa flight, the flight attendants are SO much more helpful and attentive. On United, I asked for a pillow, and was told "everyone gets a pillow." So I'm guessing that's bitchy flight attendant speak for "no?"

[Thirteen]

We fly Alaska for domestic flights. I have their visa card which makes it easy to accumulate miles and actually use them (15k will get you 50% off a flight!). I will say that they nickel and dime you, however on things like check-in bags and in-flight food. We didn't have enough time to pick up food before boarding the most recent flight we took, and had to buy a couple of meals on board.

For Germany, we have always flown the United/Lufthansa code share. If you get a Lufthansa flight, the flight attendants are SO much more helpful and attentive. On United, I asked for a pillow, and was told "everyone gets a pillow." So I'm guessing that's bitchy flight attendant speak for "no?"

See, we booked our honeymoon flight with Alaska, and actually flew on AA!
I guess they are partners to Hawaii? Awful stuff.

Internationally? Air France. It was amazing. Food, wine, comfy seats. So nice!


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[corn poffi]

I am loyal to United, but just because of the Star Alliance. Their international partners are pretty awesome...ANA, Lufthansa, Korean Air, etc. I used to travel internationally quite a bit, so I built up some miles. However, now that I don't travel as much, I don't really care who I fly with. I prefer United, just because of the miles I already have.

I see domestic carriers as being trapped in a box in the sky. Same shit, different package.

[houseelf]

My whole family has extensive miles with Delta (formerly NW) I have to say that I'm NOT impressed but this is THE carrier of the last two cities we've lived in. I can't believe that airline travel is considered part of the hospitality industry.

[peggyfromwastate]

We fly everything--- whatever major carrier is cheapest from point A to B. it's interesting that do many ppl think the carrier determines level of satisfaction with the flight. I always approach a flight knowing it will be an ordeal....

I've had terrible service with all of them, including southwest.

I really think that the rude factor is determined more by where your flight crew is stationed out of vs which airline they work for. Orlando and Hawaii crews--- party time. Mid-atlantic crews? Bitch fest time. Southeast crews? Overly friendly...

We usually go with united or delta from here. United has the nonstop flight, but rarely is cheap enough off me to buy that ticket. Only if we are using miles or something. Delta has the cheapest fares from here.

One thing to note--- no matter who u r flying with--- if there is a delay on your plane for anything mechanical, get on the phone right away to try to get rebooked. Don't talk to anyone at the airport, they can't and won't do anything for you. This just happened to us (again-- it's happened to me several times) and as soon as she said "small mechanical issue that We have to call Atlanta about for clearance" I was on the phone rebooking. Those who stuck it out had a 3 hour delay, prob until they brought in another plane. Anyway--- if they say mechanical, even if it's minor, they usually will not fly that plane and will have to bring in another plane to take its place. We wouldn't have made it home that night had we waited and not rebooked.

[Vanquisher]

I agree, Peggy. We fly whatever's cheapest too.

[bobk]

We use Southwest whenever we can. The prices are good, the staff is usually pleasant and I like that they don't charge extra for bags. It sucks to swipe your credit card at the airport for bags; they should build that into the cost of the ticket.

[MsSassyBaskets]

I almost always fly Delta for work, and it's pretty good... I never seem to get the chance to fly SW -- sounds like everybody likes it. The last time I flew was United/Continental and it was just terrible. I'd avoid it in the future if I can, but really I just choose whatever's cheap.