I'm currently taking a class entitled Strategic Marketing Management in Aviation and am doing a term paper on in-flight services. I'd like to ask the FT community for their opinions on the following question. Please PM me with your answers, so as not to influence anyone else's response (i.e., please don't post any replies here before Sunday, 30 July -- after that the paper will be done, anyway).

The question is:

To what extent do you base your choice of airline -- on either a regular or an ad hoc basis -- on the in-flight services offered?

Please be specific on what services you consider, what airline wins the competition, and why. By in-flight services I mean anything having to do with the experience on board the aircraft: seat comfort, entertainment options, catering, and so on. I am specifically NOT interested in the influence of particular frequent flyer programs, routes, schedules, and fares; however, if these are the only things you care about, please do feel free to tell me that in-flight options have no bearing on your decisions.

Also, feel free to give different responses for different types of travel. I can understand fully that you might have different ideas for domestic US, trans-Atlantic, and trans-Pacific flights.

Finally, if you're in a situation that you fly what flight you're told to fly on and have no say in the matter, please answer according to your personal preference.

I realize this is an unscientific poll, and it will be so noted in my paper. I'm just trying to get an idea of what ideas work and what don't.