As a PLAT who has flown CO pretty much exclusively over the past several years (mostly domestic and out of EWR), a combination of fares and schedules have taken me on several US and UA flights (out of EWR and LGA) over the past few months, giving me the opportunity to compare the three. Just thought I would share my observations and see if others have had similar experiences.

FLIGHT CREW
Hands down, CO wins this one. Crews (FAs and pilots) have, for the most part, been a great combination of professional and friendly. Pilots give frequent updates. UA comes in dead last on this one. So many flights I have been on lately have very few crew or cockpit announcements. During the safety announcements, FAs have sounded either stoned, giggly or completely blasé. Does not instill much confidence in their abilities to handle an emergency. And for some reason, beverage service is VERY slow on UA. US has been somewhere in the middle on this one, with some very nice FAs.

SEATING
Without any reciprocity, I have been in the back of the bus most of the time. Got E+ a couple of times only because of a change in aircraft and my Row 12 seat on the newer A320 became an exit aisle. Even so, have to say that UA and US seats in Y are more comfortable than CO. Will be very happy when we start getting access to E+.

BOARDING
UA seems to strictly enforce the boarding process. I have seen people get kicked off the red carpet for not being in F, Global Services or 1K. The nice part is that *Gs are in the first group to board on the other line, so it is easy to line up and be first in the next group. I have also found the zone system on UA to be ineffective compared to CO’s board from the back forward process. Too many tie-ups in the aisle. Also watched a UA FA give the security briefing to exit aisle passengers the other day while boarding was still going on. She was standing in the middle of the aisle seemingly oblivious to the line of pax waiting to get through behind her. DOH!

LOUNGES
As someone who rarely drinks alcohol when traveling , both the RCC and US Airways Club beat CO hands down. Better snacks and love the cappuccino machines. Depending on the lounge, also better seating options with lots of power outlets. Sure, you have to get a PIN for the wireless, but a small price to pay for that extra 20 second delay at credential check. US club at LGA even asked for my boarding pass – not for entry, but so that they could monitor my flight status and let me know if there were going to be any delays. Nice touch. And RCC (at least the one by B18 at ORD) is now offering food for sale at the bar.

ON-BOARD
Not sure how I feel about the free vs pay for food option in Y. Yes, it’s nice to have free food on CO, but the quality is so mediocre and no choices. The food in Y on UA has been okay – nice selection and not too overpriced. Only had snacks on US but both the selection and value was excellent for the price paid. UA, however, definitely takes the prize with the availability of ATC chatter on Channel 9. Went through a series of flights earlier this month where the pilot had it turned off, but overall, probably about an 80% hit rate on listening in. And why is that UA won’t let you turn on power until the plane is at 18K, versus CO at 10K? Not that they are enforcing it – again, the FAs on UA seem oblivious to just about everything.

MILEAGE POSTING
This one is very confusing to me. UA and US flights post to my OP account faster than CO flights. Go figure!

EQUIPMENT
Don’t know how old they really are, but the 320s and 319s look much newer than most of the CO fleet. WSell kept and maintained cabins. And while I like having the A seat on CRJs so I have both window and aisle, I love the overheads on both sides of the ERJs on US Express. More comfortable seats on the ERJs as well.

These are just my own $0.02 and obviously YMMV.