Originally Posted by
technique
Meh... All domestic US airlines are basically the same... Only differences I see are some don't have seat assignments (Southwest) and others charge for standby (Delta)... But really, they are all hit and miss, none of them stand out above the rest...
There are many differences.
All have service issues.
WHERE these service flaws are and their frequency is not the same accross the board!
While the only differences you see are seat assigments and standby, anyone who frequents the NYC-SFO/LAX route will find that DL does not provide the same service as AA at all on those routes (in the front cabins). Those who want IFE flying ORD-SEA will find UA is a better option than AA. Those who want to plug in their laptop seated in coach domestically will find AA wins. If you want a free bite to eat flying coach domestically, CO wins hands down. If you want the lowest load factor (and thus the highest chance of empty seats) WN may be a good bet. If you want superior phone service (for non elites/everyone), WN wins. If you want no change fees, WN wins. If you want upgrades.....I could go on and on.
A million flown miles in only a few years tells me they are
not all the same and different carriers stand out for different features and flaws. Perhaps you don't care, a view shared by the majority of the flying public (an attitude that helps airlines offer nothing).