Maybe if the Majors realized the relationship between service and profits, they may make a buck. Look at Continental and Southwest. The days of "take it or leave it" service are over.

What the hell is this all about?

In case you haven't noticed, we like our airline here on the US board ...

Take this garbage over to the Delta board and maybe you'll get whatever response it is you're looking for ...

I second Beckles motion. I like US too! Where else can you get systemwides for flying 25K miles! (and being able to use them!) I had nothing but great service with US.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dalexa1010:
The days of "take it or leave it" service are over.[/B]</font>

And just what is Southwest?

I agree with the others. US gives great service-they just have too many short haul flights that eat up profits. In this case, service and profits in the context in which you're speaking have no correlation. However, US is not profitable because they have too much service and offer great service!

Like Beckles said, take this garbage to the Delta board. Being from Georgia, you probably fly them more than anyone else. And what do you know about Southwest? They don't even service Georgia! But you say you're familiar with cattle cars? Well, that explains it!

P.S. Welcome to the Board!

Post #1 and he's dising US?

Me thinks a troll has slipped out from under a bridge.

You know there is a giant troll under the Rt99 (Aurora Bridge) in Seattle :rolleyes:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chexfan:
You know there is a giant troll under the Rt99 (Aurora Bridge) in Seattle :rolleyes:</font>

Actually, he spends his weekends under the Ballard Bridge. Craving the lutefisk ya know. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

dalexa1010-
That's not a great way to start off on flyertalk. I noticed that's your first post, so I'll be the first to at least welcome you.

That being said, try to avoid the short one/two line statements without something to back them up (like personal experience to explain to us WHY you feel a particular airline gives 'take it or leave it' service).

On your topic of CO:
I'm all to happy to admit that CO has made leaps and strides in the last 10 years. All of us associated with US really wish we had management like Gordon Bethune.

I actually had 200,000 points on CO at one time in the mid-90's and had a hell of a time redeeming them for anything good. Their OnePass FF program is very restrictive. For example, you can't get a confirmed Biz ticket to Europe or Hawaii, no matter how far in advance you book!! Instead, they waitlist the customer and yield management goes over each flight as it nears departure and releases seats. What kind of crap is that??! Who wants to book a trip without knowing whether they're sitting in coach or BizFirst?

By comparison, US was all to happy to give my wife and me confirmed Envoy seats to Rome last summer, with several months advance notice.

Stick around the airline boards, read the posts, do some searches on topics of interest to you and post with intelligence and back up your statements with fact. You'll get more respect that way.

Thank you for the "welcome aboard rogering." This seems to be a US Air fan club. I can understand that many of you are loyal die-hard supporters of US and that is great. Customer loyalty is rare these days especially among the travel industry. That is why you may take it personal when a traveler brings a complaint to the board. Granted, I took my first flight on US Air from BHM to LAX. The service on the plane was acceptable. The ticketing agents is where I was burnt. As competitive as East Coast travel has become and with the addition of so many low-cost airlines, US better move fast to keep up and afloat.
As for Delta they are worse. You have to throw a raw steak on the counter to get anyone's attention.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dalexa1010:
I took my first flight on US Air from BHM to LAX.</font>Ahh yes, the infamous BHM-LAX route...

I'd hardly call any Flyertalk board a fan club, but fact of the matter is that if you look at the boards for the other airlines here, US frequent flyers are among the most satisfied ... their program and the airline are simply a better product than what many of the others are offering, in particular with upgrades (which is probably the single most important benefit for most Flyertalkers I think).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dalexa1010:
That is why you may take it personal when a traveler brings a complaint to the board. </font>

dalexa: Welcome to FT. Actually, we complain all the time.

Normally, it is a lot more beneficial when a post says "Yesterday, the ticket agent checking me in for my BHM-LAX nonstop was horrible. He/She... &lt;insert your info and facts here&gt;".

With no information to back up your "slam", it's not real useful.

cheers, geo

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dalexa1010:
This seems to be a US Air fan club. I can understand that many of you are loyal die-hard supporters of US and that is great. Customer loyalty is rare these days especially among the travel industry. That is why you may take it personal when a traveler brings a complaint to the board. Granted, I took my first flight on US Air from BHM to LAX. </font>

O.k. I feel compelled to join in here.

dalexa1010: We welcome you to this corner of the FT Universe. And now we understand why you may be displeased with US. But you didn't tell us any of the details (why you thought service was lost in the quest for profits) until way after your first post. If I had happened on your post earlier, I would have suggested that it either go into OMNI or some other forum where everyone could post their take on the idea contained in your thread. That's why you received the welcome you did.

Now are you saying you paid too much for your ticket? Is that your beef? Remember, if you buy the ticket, you have 24 hours to get your refund. In that time, you can check around with other airlines to see if they've got a better deal available for you. If US doesn't have the fare you want and DL or WN does, fly them. In fact, I seem to recall that WN flies to BHM. So with the "Southwest effect" you should have received a break on fares already.

Yes, US has a lot of challenges with JetBlue and Southwest trying to move into their markets. AirTran is trying to a limited degree. US recognizes the issues, and maybe once the merger is dead once and for all, they'll get back to dealing with those issues.

Now if you're saying US needs to behave like a low fare carrier, I think you're dead wrong. Yes, US needs to cut its labor costs, but they don't need to do it the Southwest way - that doesn't work for everyone (or really anyone other than Southwest).

Have a nice day. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Dalexa1010,

Welcome to the US board. These are truly a great and helpful group. I was a "lurker" for several years but I got my nerve up about one year ago and joined in.

The US CPs (Chaiman's Preferreds) are most helpful with getting new and solid "inside" information for the rest of us unwashed (I'm only a Gold) from their personal liaisons. I have never failed to get excellent help from these folks. We love our US and although we are aware of its faults, we think that the elite benefits are the best in the industry.

Again, welcome to the board.


Va.SquireFlyer

In regards to redemptions with CO, I had that problem UNTIL I became elite. Apparently CO has a basket of reward tickets that ONLY elites have access to at the standard (they call it EasyPass) level.

As to the international upgrades you are correct. However, CO's liberal upgrade policy (no coupons necassery, space available at all Elite levels) on ALL flights that don't have a Business First cabin (that is domestic, canada, Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America) is worth a lot more to the typical frequent flyer than upgrading a reward ticket to Europe.

Also, please remember CO is stingy with BF upgrades because they basically have the best Business class (Delta now comes close) product of ANY domestic airline. And a lot of people actually BUY tickets on it. They are also less restrictive on the routes in which they don't sell as many tickets (bascially South America and Asia).

Finally, when as a member of OnePass I get status miles, upgrades, and elite bonus miles whenever I fly Northwest (including KLM codeshare), America West, Midway, and Copa. Also, their international rotue network is not extensive, but they have mileage agreements with Virgin (codeshare only, Air France, Alitalia, British Midland, Quantas, Eva, anc Aces as well as domestic agreements with Frontier and Hawaiin.

When US Airways offers this kind of network and benefits, I'll be the first to jump ship as I live 10 minutes from DCA.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PHL:
[B]

I actually had 200,000 points on CO at one time in the mid-90's and had a hell of a time redeeming them for anything good. Their OnePass FF program is very restrictive. For example, you can't get a confirmed Biz ticket to Europe or Hawaii, no matter how far in advance you book!! Instead, they waitlist the customer and yield management goes over each flight as it nears departure and releases seats. What kind of crap is that??! Who wants to book a trip without knowing whether they're sitting in coach or BizFirst?

By comparison, US was all to happy to give my wife and me confirmed Envoy seats to Rome last summer, with several months advance notice.
B]</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dguruswamy:
Finally, when as a member of OnePass I get status miles, upgrades, and elite bonus miles whenever I fly Northwest (including KLM codeshare), America West,...</font>Yes, but you'd have to fly HP and NW. :eek: "if the tail is red..."

I do admit that CO has very friendly domestic upgrade policies for it's elites.

But we have to realise that people fly the airlines that they do for different reasons. Just b/c CO is the right fit for you doesn't mean it has to be the right fit for PassengerX.

Here are a few details of my trip. It was my honeymoon and we were on our way to Tahiti. Our airfare to LAX was $178 RT from BHM. That was the best I could do. Getting out there and back was really no problem. On the way back we came into LAX around 10:30 pm after an 8 hour flight from Papeete. I had a confirmed flight for the next morning to BHM but I did not want to spend the $$ on a hotel room in LAX. I asked the agent if there was availabilty on a 11:30pm flight that night to BHM. She said there was plenty of room but I would have to pay $100 per ticket for the change. My argument was that if there was plenty of room we could switch flights and free up 2 seats for a much busier flight that next morning. She would have none of it. Well I paid the $$ just to get out of town. Afterwards I emailed customer relations about the situation and her exact reply was "We could have charged you a higher rate in addition to the $100 fee..." Boy, do I feel better now that that has been resolved. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Unless you are elite and/or lucky, I can't believe any airline would not have charged you to fly on a different day than you were ticketed for ... that's just the way the airlines are.

Your fare from BHM-LAX was, at $178, clearly a discounted fare. These fares, unlike the higher unrestricted fares, carry certain restrictions. One of the many restrictions is that you can not change your flights without a fee. If you do, the standard change fee is $100 plus any difference in fare (which can be a lot).

Airlines will usually let you fly stand-by for a flight other than your originally ticketed flight but only on the same day of travel. The fact that you wanted to travel on a different day than your original itinerary means that the airline can charge you the $100 change fee plus any difference in fare. A discounted fare is discounted for a reason - those tickets have very little flexibility when it comes to changes. This is good for the airlines because they, for the most part, know exactly when you are going to travel, and it is good for you because you get a low fare.

The airlines response, in your case, was justified.

I certainly see the logic in "there were seats available, why not let us have them therefore freeing up seats on tomorrow's flight". Sounds logical. However, if airlines make those exceptions all the time, nobody in their right mind would pay for the higher priced tickets that, by virtue of their higher fares, have that un-restricted flexibility as one of their perks. That is why the airlines hold firm on changes and fees.



[This message has been edited by geo1004 (edited 07-19-2001).]

I have to agree with my compatriots above. You asked an agent to bend the rules and they wouldn't, and you're complaining.

When you buy a discount fare, you are taking all the rules along with it for the cheap fare. I'm Chairman's Preferred (top level elite with USAirways) and can't even get USAirways to move me up to a flight an hour earlier, even when there are dozen seats available that day, even when I am moving from a packed flight. I have to standby per regular rules.

I think USAirways is a pretty strict airline with the rules, but I'm actually happy about that. That means I don't have to worry too much about someone getting special treatment because they schmoozed the agent or something like that. I get what I expect to get, not much more, not much less.

BTW USAirways is right. They did not charge you the difference in fare.. and most likely, even if the plane had many seats left, there were none in your fare class, which would probably be V for a transcon $178. One seat is not the same as another seat to the airlines.


[This message has been edited by pitflyer (edited 07-19-2001).]

dalexa1010: Congratulations on your recent wedding!

Sorry that the ticket counter folks in LAX were not helpful (and thanks for clarifying who the customer service issues were with) - but nice fare out to LAX (after all, in this neck of the woods, the lowest discounted fare to LAX is in the high 200s - low 300s - you've got the Southwest Effect, we've got the Fortress Hub Effect). Sometimes the counter agents are helpful to newlyweds, and sometimes, like on your trip, they're not. And the worst part is - you'll see this on most, if not all airlines.

Again, congratulations.

delxa1010

Congrats. Also nice honeymoon spot.

I'll just add to the above and state that as pitflyer says, US does not cut any slack even for CPs, and I have been charged fees. It is my understanding that UA will waive some fees for their top tier but not US. We have to standby just like anyone else. Also if you look at the fare basis and rules, they usually state that you can standby for flights that day but I do not think extends to other days.

Welcome and I hope you enjoy future US service.

Chexfan, I agree with you. If I flew mainly to international destinations I'd be on American or United because of their superior route networks.

However, let's look at the benefits of CO's partners I've used since January of 2000.

1) I've gotten upgraded to Ecuador based on my Elite status. On American the only way to upgrade is to use miles on CO it was gratis!
2) I've gotten miles on a America West (vacation travel, I redeemed US Airways miles into Phoenix and returning from San Diego)and I got to check in the first class line.
3) I've given two tickets to my brother to visit me. One was on NW one way and CO the other way. The other was a nonstop (the only one in the market) from DEN to DCA on Frontier and returning on Continental.
4) I've earned over 50K in mileage bonuses (excluding elite bonuses) which CO is very generous about (and Flyertalk members are very generous about posting them).
5) I've sat in Coach class less than 20% of the time (FREE upgrades.. no coupons... no miles)
6) I'm flying to Denver from DCA around Thanksgiving and yes its on NW (it was $185 roundtrip)! But guess what, I will be checking in the first class line and all liklihood upgraded the entire way.

Sorry, but I don't want to sit in the back of the bus and fuss with whether to use an e-upgrade.


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chexfan:
[QUOTE]Yes, but you'd have to fly HP and NW. :eek: "if the tail is red..."

I do admit that CO has very friendly domestic upgrade policies for it's elites.

But we have to realise that people fly the airlines that they do for different reasons. Just b/c CO is the right fit for you doesn't mean it has to be the right fit for PassengerX.</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dalexa1010:
Maybe if the Majors realized the relationship between service and profits, they may make a buck. Look at Continental and Southwest. The days of "take it or leave it" service are over.</font>

Welcome to FT. Chalk it up to experience and move along...we do tend to like US here more than say United...even me, and I'm pretty much a jerk when it comes to everything.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dguruswamy:

&lt;snip&gt;
However, let's look at the benefits of CO's partners I've used since January of 2000.
&lt;snip&gt;
4) I've earned over 50K in mileage bonuses (excluding elite bonuses) which CO is very generous about (and Flyertalk members are very generous about posting them).
&lt;snip&gt;
</font>

I'm confused because I thought that those bonuses were for CO flights and not partner flights ...

US has been just as geneours as CO with bonuses in the past few months, including double base miles and then triple miles (As a Gold I was earning 500% of actual mileage, including 200% base miles while both promos were running, not including online booking bonuses).

I'm Chairman's on US and Platinum on CO. Continental has done a textbook job of fixing a broken product, but with that has come a much more restrictive approach to dealing with frequent flyers. Among other things, they are perhaps the most aggressive in floating unearned elite cards, which is great, but does have the effect of creating a lot more competition for available perks, such as upgrades. International upgrades (and awards) are a lot tougher to get, and in general, they are far more focused on how much you spend (which is admirable, but in the process they don't always see the value of the total relationship). The Continental route system also has big holes once you get west of Houston, but they attempt to address this problem with the America West relationship. Using HP isn't always the most rewarding experience. On the other hand, the NW connection is excellent. Service levels (and equipment) are not as good, but they treat CO customers well, and upgrading is more along the lines we are used to at US. My point is that CO is not some nirvana when compared to US, and they have changed a lot with their success. As we all know, these guys watch each other, so at any given moment the good stuff can go away. Right now, US has the superior program. True, they "work to rule" on changes, etc., but if you have any reasonable FF status, you will likely be taken care of, even as a standby. The ratio of members to seats is generally good. Just be wary of the PHL hub.

deelmakur: That's one of those times when it's nice that USAirways has three hubs relatively close together, isn't it.

Beckles the bonuses were all on CO ticket CO metal or NW ticket on CO metal. However, I where I live, the alliances are great. From DCA I can fly non-stop to EWR, IAH, CLE, MEM, DET, MSP, RDU, CMH, and PHX using CO and codeshares. I also like the fact that the codeshare relationship between CO and NW is almost seamless.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
I'm confused because I thought that those bonuses were for CO flights and not partner flights ...

US has been just as geneours as CO with bonuses in the past few months, including double base miles and then triple miles (As a Gold I was earning 500% of actual mileage, including 200% base miles while both promos were running, not including online booking bonuses).</font>

But you are comparing the top level US and CO programs. The vast majority of frequent flyers are at the lower tiers. There CO wins hands down because of its upgrade policy. I'm only CO Gold and I get upgraded 80% of the time. Also, I've had little trouble using my miles, which for me is very important. I have 50K sitting in a AAdvantage account for over 2 years because whenever I call to check availability they have none (but ofcourse if I use double miles I can get around that).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">As we all know, these guys watch each other, so at any given moment the good stuff can go away. Right now, US has the superior program. True, they "work to rule" on changes, etc., but if you have any reasonable FF status, you will likely be taken care of, even as a standby. The ratio of members to seats is generally good. Just be wary of the PHL hub.[/B]</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dguruswamy:
But you are comparing the top level US and CO programs. The vast majority of frequent flyers are at the lower tiers. There CO wins hands down because of its upgrade policy. I'm only CO Gold and I get upgraded 80% of the time. Also, I've had little trouble using my miles, which for me is very important. I have 50K sitting in a AAdvantage account for over 2 years because whenever I call to check availability they have none (but ofcourse if I use double miles I can get around that).</font>

You're bragging about 80% as a gold? As a gold on Delta I upgraded at least 90% of the time (on eligible fares ... of course, that's why I don't fly 'em anymore) and as a Gold on US Airways I've upgraded on 100% of my eligible flights (only E-Savers have not been eligible).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dguruswamy:
But you are comparing the top level US and CO programs. The vast majority of frequent flyers are at the lower tiers. There CO wins hands down because of its upgrade policy. I'm only CO Gold and I get upgraded 80% of the time. Also, I've had little trouble using my miles, which for me is very important. I have 50K sitting in a AAdvantage account for over 2 years because whenever I call to check availability they have none (but ofcourse if I use double miles I can get around that).

</font>

Sorry to rain on your parade, but I'm Dividend Miles SILVER and upgrade about 80%+ of the time

I have a better than 80% success rate upgrading companions even http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I have been Gold Elite on CO for 2.5 years, and have not been "behind the curtain" on CO, NW or HP during that time. And have had to use absolutely no miles, certificates, coupons, etc.

I used to live in PIT, and flew US out of necessity. The flights were usually fine, with decent service. I never had a problem with them, and would probably continue to fly them if it was easier to fly from the midwest to the west coast.

As an ex-airline employee, Dalexa1010 is lucky the ticket agents did not charge him a hell of a lot more for his early trip home. Did you not realize that your flight would land late and you would need a hotel? Or did you just assume you would get on the red-eye flight?

------------------
What do you mean I can't charge my heart bypass to my Visa? I need the MILES!!!

How do you do this? It think it's very hard!

According to the USAirways site:

Once you qualify, you will receive two 800-mile one-way North American upgrades in your Welcome Kit and you have the opportunity to earn four upgrades for every 10,000 Preferred Miles you fly. Plus, you will receive an additional two upgrades each time you fly 20,000 Preferred Miles.

What length are your flights?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ITRADE:
Sorry to rain on your parade, but I'm Dividend Miles SILVER and upgrade about 80%+ of the time</font>

dalexa1010: Pray tell Southwest's policy in a similar circumstance -- isn't it "pay us more -- lots -- right now"?

------------------
"Service" should be a noun, not a verb.

[edited for brevity]

[This message has been edited by LexPassenger (edited 07-21-2001).]

Did someone mention South West???? They should change their motto from "You are free to move about the country, to You are free to move about the trailer park".

I'd rather walk than climb into a Southwest cabin.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by USAirGreg:
Did someone mention South West???? They should change their motto from "You are free to move about the country, to You are free to move about the trailer park".

I'd rather walk than climb into a Southwest cabin.</font>

Have you flow WN before? I admit it is not luxury, but it is a good airline. The employees, by and large are friendly and fun. The flights are not first class by any means, but the F/A's are entertaining. The cattle car boarding is admittedly not to my liking. The fares are cheap, or cheaper, than most. I have had to fly them a number of times, and usually have a good flight. HOWEVER, as a spoiled Frequent Flyer who likes to stay "in front of the curtain" at all costs, they are not my first choice.

For short hops or last minute trips, or for those on a tight budget, it is a good alternative.




------------------
What do you mean I can't charge my heart bypass to my Visa? I need the MILES!!!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by USAirGreg:
Did someone mention South West???? They should change their motto from "You are free to move about the country, to You are free to move about the trailer park".

I'd rather walk than climb into a Southwest cabin.</font>

First off, welcome to FlyerTalk.

What's with the snobbery against Southwest? Just because they have cheap fares doesn't mean that the people who fly their airline are somehow undesirable, nor does it mean that SoWest's service is subpar. (It's quite good, IMO)

Southwest is a great airline - I use them for all my short-hauls in the US because of their great rewards program and low fares. And they´re definitely my favorite airline for flying in coach.

However, if you had a discount ticket on Southwest, and tried to stand by for any other flight, you´d have to upgrade to full Y which on transcon adds $200-300. I have seen them enforce this rule even with the desired flight nearly empty.

While it seems unfair, when you buy a discount ticket you are agreeing to limit your options to the flight(s) booked for that ticket (or other flights on standby basis if allowd); among other things this takes uncertainty off the airline (less prob. that you no-show, assured revs since it´s nonrefundable) and shifts some risks to you, hence the discount. If airlines bent the rules on these tickets all the time, they would not be able to sell any full Y tix; so enforcing the rules is usually just a reasonable way to protect the value of full-fare tickets.

To give an simple example:
The Tel Aviv shuq (open-air market) closes around sunset, and many of the street merchants selling clothing don´t have access to storage facilities for unsold inventory. When the shuq starts to wind down for the day, you can try bargaining them down, but if you go too low they will rip up the clothes in front of you. The reason: below a certain price, they´d rather not sell you anything and thus preserve demand for full-priced clothing. Same case with airlines not letting you switch to a flight with space available - it lets them preserve demand for fully-flexible, expensive tickets.

Yonatan

I'm sure that southwest has it's place in the airways... just not mine. Nothing against Southwest, but here are some of the reasons I would not fly southwest:

1. I like assigned seats. I don't like the cattle car approach to obtaining a seat.
2. I also don't like the take a number and we'll call you as if I'm in the Sears Parts Center.
3. They have not alliance with anyone. If you book on Southwest and your flight is cancelled, well, there ya go.. you are stuck.
4. One major reason I stick with the full service airlines is I prefer to sit up in first class. The meals are better, the service is better, i'm the one of the first ones off and on, I like my own check in line, I prefer to board the plane first, as a Chairmans Preferred, I'll get moved up first to First Class over a standard non-preferred member on internationals.
5. No International (or European, Asian, etc) service.
6. No Code Shares
7. Not many options (if any) to use points on any other airlines
8. I'm not much into games and "fun" on an airplane.
9. I would not trust their crews to be as able to take care of an emergency situation
10. They only fly 737's....I would hate to be stuck in a 737 between Charlotte and Los Angles.
11. I don't like taking 16 hops to get to where i'm going
12. I don't like to be stuck in a cabin full of people.
13. They are cutting something some where to keep their fares low (Hmmm...Value Jet over Florida come to mind?)
14. Their air fares are not that much lower
15. I like having my own Personal Liason to take care of all my needs.

I'm sure I could think of more, but I won't go on. This does not exactly pretain to Southwest, but all "bargain basement airlines".

Give me USAirways, Northwest, or Continental anytime. You can keep Delta, United, or American.

------------------
Chairmans: USAir, Gold: NWA, Diners, HH, Gold: Marriott

I don't know how 70% of all airline service conversations end up talking about Southwest, but its an interesting phenomenon.

I've never flown Southwest, but any airline that has no first class seems wrong to me. I've taken the first bold step onto discount airlines and flown AirTran several times, but they do have a business class which is actually more comfortable than many USAirways planes (but no meal service, but considering the cold chicken plate, no big loss).

In any case, Southwest does what it does well, and profitably, which very few other airlines can say they do.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pitflyer:
I don't know how 70% of all airline service conversations end up talking about Southwest, but its an interesting phenomenon.

In any case, Southwest does what it does well, and profitably, which very few other airlines can say they do. </font>

As justification for these discussions reverting to SWA, it seems to me that Southwest is a fly in the ointment of the larger airline industry. They do their job with verve, low overhead, and (as far as I know) safety. The majors, some of whom have become far too unwieldy (*cough*UA*cough*), have to play catchup to Southwest. Seen transcon fares to RDU lately?

In the end I guess it's all a matter of preference. Personally I've always had a "no-frills" approach to travel (especially by air) ever since my first $20 flight on the now defunct AirSouth, headed home for spring break. Cheaper than Greyhound r/t even! But I got what I paid for: a quick comfortable flight from point a to b, which is all I really asked for.

Southwest does it well. I've never once been delayed, bumped, or had lost luggage with 'em. The FA's are so nice you forget you're in a 737 landing in 7 airports on a transcon. And for the (non-FF)mileage you get, you simply cannot beat the price.

But as always, your mileage may vary. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif