I don't fly as much as many of you, but I have probably flown at least once or twice a year for the last 15-20 years, not to mention flights in my childhood which were more frequent. Because I have worked crappy jobs I don't have a lot of money for travel and often look for the cheapest flights I can find. However, I have found that cheap doesn't always mean good, friendly service. It doesn't exclude it either.
For the last few years I have almost always flown with AirTran because they seem to be cheaper though for my next couple of flights I am going with Northwest/Delta (which I guess are the same company now?) because they priced better than AirTran. I am already looking into a flight for next August and Air Tran doesn't even make it close to the cheapest for flights.
So who do you all prefer to fly with? Do you choose them for price? Friendly staff? On time flights? Convenience? I'm just curious as to who you all choose and what the exact reasons are for choosing them.
Most of my travel is for work, so I have very little choice about who I fly. Whoever has the cheapest flight that gets me to the client site on time and back home after a certain time is who I fly. Because I live near PHL, this is almost always US Air.
I have flown other airlines for vacations, but I typically stay with Star Alliance airlines so I can have at least some value from my US Air Platinum status. I've had really positive experiences with United on both domestic and international flights. To be honest, I'd probably prefer them over US if they competed for the same route.
Good service is nice to have, but most of the time I'm in the air, I'm reading, using my laptop, or listening to music, none of which require any help from the airline. US Air's phone customer service has been extremely helpful for me, especially since I've never had someone who wasn't a native English speaker. They have been more than helpful in changing flights during weather or aircraft issues.
I guess the bottom line is that because I have status with US, I tend to stick with them or other Star Alliance partners, even when it's not the best choice. I haven't been on a non-Star Alliance flight since before I had status.
I'm guessing your ATL based? I too have been flying AirTran over Delta on the LGA-ATL route for the past few years and like their service. I don't fly it enough to get status on DL so the A+ rewards work out very nicely for me.
In terms of booking a trip for next August, you're looking way too early for FL. You would be paying a premium to secure a seat now. FL has weekly sales that offer fares for the next few months. So I would wait until at least April/May before booking it.
I thought the title meant what company (friends, family...) do you like to travel with. That's easy. Myself. Upgrades and award flights are much easier to get.
Fly to LA twice a year and NZ at least twice and always fly Air New Zealand. Great service, good food (mostly) and it sure beats flying Qantas who can either be excellant or atrocious.
Programs: BMI Silver, BA Blue and Jersey European Passport to Freedom
Posts: 1,930
My choice of airline varies according to where I am flying; what prices are on offer; and whether I have relevant status. However, my best experiences have been in the nose of an SQ 744.
I don't fly as much as many of you, but I have probably flown at least once or twice a year for the last 15-20 years, not to mention flights in my childhood which were more frequent. Because I have worked crappy jobs I don't have a lot of money for travel and often look for the cheapest flights I can find. However, I have found that cheap doesn't always mean good, friendly service. It doesn't exclude it either.
For the last few years I have almost always flown with AirTran because they seem to be cheaper though for my next couple of flights I am going with Northwest/Delta (which I guess are the same company now?) because they priced better than AirTran. I am already looking into a flight for next August and Air Tran doesn't even make it close to the cheapest for flights.
So who do you all prefer to fly with? Do you choose them for price? Friendly staff? On time flights? Convenience? I'm just curious as to who you all choose and what the exact reasons are for choosing them.
I am chasing USAirways miles, hate Southwest with a passion, and am sometimes bound by location and corporate budgets to simply book the cheapest direct flight. Surprisingly, this does not force me onto Southworst as much as you would think, as I have sometimes found legacy carriers cheaper and USAirways agressively matches WN fares as soon as they come out on many routes out of PHX, my home airport.
Price is a concern, but comfort is increasingly my primary concern and prices are becoming more even across the market. I like online seat selection and upgrades, but I also attempt to make coach flights more comforable if I can, meaning I will choose a WN short haul red-eye over a prime time USAirways flight...red eyes are never full during the work week. I will also move my work sched around to avoid flying on Mondays and Fridays, the busiest days.
I fly UA because I do a lot of international and being 1k gives me a chance at upgrades. Also because I am 1k they go out of the way to fix mistakes, mine and theirs.
If I did not have status or only flew domestic I would fly Jet Blue because of the seat and AVOD, I actually think the Jet Blue product is better than UA 1st is on 2 cabin aircraft.
In Asia Dragon Air and Cathay Pacific are my first choice as I am almost always flying in Economy and I find them superior to the *alliance carriers.
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"There is a snake in the shower!" my wife in our new house; me on the wrong side of the country
I fly AA because over half my travel is NYC-DFW and they're pretty much the only game in town (EWR is a bit far for me) but they're great for award redemptions, fly non stop to most places I need to go, easy to accumulate miles churning credit cards. They've been very good for my needs.
