I'm just back from a multi-week multi-city business trip that had me booked on DL, UA, US and WN and thought it'd be good to report findings in the premium cabins. I'm a newly-minted PM but was on F fares across the board.

I was in F on all of the above carriers except WN, all on domestic equipment including two former NW aircraft (A320 and 757).

Here is what I found.

LAX-LAS - WN
Nothing much to report here. One of WN's oldest 737-500s and it looked like it, but it's a short flight.

LAS-MEM (PMNW A320)
This was a morning departure out of LAS. Security was a breeze early on a weekend morning and flight was on-time. No frills on an A320 but we're all familiar with the service. I was surprised on LAS-MEM that they don't offer a hot breakfast - just continental. I usually eat the continental anyway, but there was grousing among the cabin at the lack of omelette. I declined a meal on this flight and slept until MEM. Outstanding service from the F flight attendant - kept glasses filled and water bottles replenished.

MEM-DCA (PMDL MD-88)
Non-meal flight, but overall outstanding personal service from each of the flight attendants on board. A medical emergency mid-flight disrupted their service but they handled it gracefully and fortunately, the man involved began to feel better after a little oxygen. I was really impressed by their professionalism and discretion in handling the emergency.

DCA-MCO (US 737-400)
A non-meal flight to MCO. DCA is a really convenient and user-friendly airport. Every time I use I am impressed by the facilities - modern, clean, spacious and only 15 minutes from downtown DC. Used the US Airways Club and folks, we might complain about the SkyClubs but let's assume that DCA being a key part of the US Airways network should lead them to develop a product that serves their premium traffic.

The DCA club is fairly large and bright, I'll give it that. But it's an armpit otherwise. Surly attendant staff at the front desk. No snacks to speak of (cocktail mix at 8AM doesn't quite hit the spot). Didn't see any newspapers or magazines set out, but they had plenty of credit card application forms sitting around. Furnishings were worn and reflected the best that the late 80s had to offer. All in all, it is a severe eyesore in what you'd expect to be a modern facility. It IS, however, an outstanding proxy for the condition of their planes.

Which brings me to the flight. This being a non-meal flight I didn't expect much but wow - the US product has gone downhill since I last flew them in 08. Pen marks all over the seats, scuffs and dings, dirty bulkheads. The cabin crew were just as surly as the club attendants. I did sleep during the flight so not sure what service they put forth but based on what I witnessed, very little effort is expended in the provision of "service" by US Airways.

MCO-DTW (PMNW 757-300)
Ahhh, back to the comfort of DL. This was a non-meal flight but the snack basket was circulated a few times. Plane was clean, service friendly and drinks refilled three times without asking. Genuine good service.

CMH-DEN (UA A319)
Drove from DTW to CMH. On way home, afternoon flight to Denver with United and an onward evening flight home to LAX. Flight from CMH-DEN was on-time and packed to the rafters. United has replaced the seat covers on its domestic fleet with dark blue leather since the last time I flew with them. In general I prefer cloth seats, but the leather UA chose is extremely supple and comfortable. There were pen marks all over the place though, and the seat and plane had clearly not been carefully cleaned on its turn. Blanket and pillow were recycled from previous flight, barely folded. Bulkheads were dirty and sort of dingy looking, and the plane was full of black flies (even the flight attendants were perplexed).

Once we got going the service was actually quite good; snack plate was offered consisting of a chicken wrap but I declined. Pilot turned on Ch. 9, which I have SO missed on DL, and the flight passed in no time. Warm chocolate chip cookies offered prior to arrival, a nice touch.

Connection in Denver was uneventful but I did make use of the Red Carpet Club. VAST improvement over the US Airways product and equivalent to most DL clubs (late afternoon spread of cheese, crackers, veggies and fruit along with an ample supply of cookies).

DEN-LAX (UA 757-200)
I've always loved traveling on the 757. It's a comfortable ride and I find it has a "big" aircraft feel compared to the 737/A320 line I'm most used to lately on DL. Same dark blue leather seats - comfortable and soft. Like my previous flight the cabin was dingy and poorly maintained; overhead monitors were flickering and ancient, and general feel of the cabin was "tired."

Dinner service on this short flight was thai chicken or spinach lasagna. I had the latter by default as they ran out of the chicken, but it was really quite good. Generous portion. Came with a wilted salad and lukewarm roll. No dessert offered on the tray or afterwards. Service was prompt but not particularly warm.

Thus ended my trip around the country. I pick on Delta a lot but I came to realize that they are really focused on upping the quality of their product when compared to US and UA. Cabins were clean on all flights, service predictably friendly and in general feels more consistent. Of course, a few flights on competing carriers is a small sample size but I'd definitely not put US Airways on my preferred list of carriers any time soon. UA and DL did seem about equivalent.

So there you have it. Any others with recent notes to share?