VX has been the biggest hidden gem in US airlines for the last decade. I fly them as often as I can when my personal travel includes flights in their network.

I've always bought a main cabin seat and upgraded at T-24 to MCS for the reduced rate. Given the fact that there has ALWAYS been availability, it seems like the product isn't very well known.

I first flew them in 2009 (when Delta was just getting into the domestic AVOD game via 738 and ex-Song 757) and was amazed at not only the entertainment, but the food/drink ordering process. I have no idea why other airlines haven't implemented this, as it saves a lot of money. Many people only get a drink on the plane because someone asks them what they would like.

The MCS product is no doubt a better in flight experience than Delta C+. However, their small network and far inferior rewards program makes it hard to switch.

It will be interesting to see what Alaska does with the hard product, as they received a ton of backlash when they announced the acquisition. It would be a horrible decision to lower the VX planes to AS standards, but from a business standpoint, subfleets are difficult to maintain (both from a customer expectation perspective and a maintenance one), and upgrading all of AS to match would certainly cost a ton.