As a soon-to-be-orphaned-by-UA NYC flier, I'm looking for a new airline. I've just read the thread on systemwide upgrades and other upgrade questions, which helped me a lot on those issues. My remaining questions go to those times (sounds like there could be quite a few on CO) when the upgrade DOESN'T clear. Could someone compare Y on CO with Y on AA? If I understand correctly, I would get a meal on a CO flight in Y provided distance and timing requirements were met. What about pitch? Availability of exit row seats with exit row legroom? Service in general? Pillows and blankets on domestic flights?

I can only speak for CO Y and if you are able to get an Exit Row you are good to go. The seat pitch is not so hot as UA E+ but its not terrible either. You can go to www.seatguru.com to compare the different planes. CO has pillows and blankets and the "wing" head rests.

I was Plat on AA, and switched to CO in 2001.

I will fly to the ends of the Earth to avoid coach on CO; I never felt that way about coach on AA. I honestly don't know if it's due to FC addiction on CO or the fact that AA really does have more comfortable coach seats, but if you don't score an exit-row seat on CO, and are at all larger than average (I'm 6'3"), you will feel cramped.

After flying an AA 738, I can testify the seats on AA are definately softer, more supportive and more comfortable than CO. There is also abit more legroom on AA.

I have not flown any other aircraft type AA operates, so I can't comment on the rest of their fleet. Right now, the two most comfortable domestic coach seats belong to jetBlue and Delta (refurbished cabins only).

I am now a plat on both carriers. If your travels will take you more than 100k a year (or if you can earn 100k points), AA's EXP is superior to Continental's Platinum. If you're flying less than 100k, I'd stick to CO; I think your upgrade chances are much better--unless you fly full coach fares (Y or B) on AA.

I'd have to say that the CO Y offering is marginally better than AA, particularly if you fly transcontinental. Granted AA charges $2 for headphones; I believe CO is $5--small things like this don't make a difference to me (I have about 100 headphones now anyway). CO does offer meals; a small point, but a difference. CO doesn't charge for blankets or pillows: rumor has it that American Eagle will start such charges in the '07. I find it very hard to get premium Y seats on AA: later today, for example, I have to fly a middle seat; in over ten years, I have never sat in a middle seat on CO (granted, I do fly on jetBlue if CO doesn't have window or aisle!). So, IMHO, CO gets the nod in coach. However, and I stress, if you fly a lot, over 100k a year, or pay a lot (full coach fares), AA is far superior.

I think that one's physical size may be the deciding factor...big people (not necessarily heavy, just BIG) may well do better on AA.

I am not a big person (5'4", 125 lbs) but I still feel cramped in coach on CO. The pitch is VERY tight, and if the person in front of you puts back their seat, forget it. Also, I find the seats a bit hard and uncomfortable for long flights.

How so? Do they hit your legs, or do you just feel kind of claustrophobic in the small space? I definitely understand how someone 5'10 or up could feel overly cramped in there, but 5'4 is surprising to me.

I'm 5'7 and I have plenty of room on CO Y. Even when I slouch, people in front reclining don't come anywhere near my knees. I notice the narrowness of the seats much more. (I'm a wide guy. Not overweight, just wide. Think fullback.)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I think the best Y seats on CO are the sliding-bottom ones on some of the 753's. I like being able to recline and have my thighs be supported. With another inch of pitch, it'd be one of the better Y arrangements in the domestic market. (Better, not near best though. Hard to beat JetBlue there.)

How difficult is it to GET an exit row?

If you are Plat, I believe that you can reserve them before checkin.

I am gold and I prefer the bulkhead on most CO planes. I like being upfront and not having anyone in front of me.

I am able to secure the bulkhead around 80% of the time. If you were Plat. I would suspect that you would do better for bulkhead and exit row

Fairly easy for Plats, depending on when you're purchasing and how Plat-Heavy a route is. Plats get first crack at the Exit rows when the website is working properly. If you book late and there are a ton of plats on that route normally, not only will you not get an upgrade, you won't get the exit either.

That brings up the question of what routes you expect to fly most, and what your booking paterns look like. For the way I fly, Plat would be great for getting exit seats...

What I have told people for years is that having experienced both, AA FC is very close to CO Y.

AA Y is pretty rough. Then again, so is AA FC.

--PP

I have to disagree with you on comparing CO Gold to AA Plat. I was AA Plat to the middle of this year and had 90% success with upgrades. CO as a gold? Admittedly the sample set is less than 10 r/t's but the percentage is MUCH lower. IMO AA is ALWAYS going to be easier to upgrade on. They have larger F cabins, except for Execs they charge for upgrades AND they fly mainline equipment on more routes and frequencies than CO. Specifc routes will vary but by and large AA wins here and that's just on domestic. Int'l, well, there's just no comparison. Even with recent availability tightening AA blows away CO on award availability and upgradeability on int'l itineraries.

As a NYC based flyer, it would depend on what your travel patterns look like. CO does not fly to LHR, although partner VS does. I prefer CO-hub EWR in NYC because of the easy train to Penn Station.
For what it is worth, CO seems more oriented towards value for customers with an all-inclusive pacakge (i.e. blankets, meals at mealtime, no incremental charge for movies, included wifi and booze with lounge membership, etc) and AA seems focused on trying to get a cost structure below WN with charges for blankets, meals, movies and surcharges for wifi and booze in the lounge.
Finally, I'm a little taller than average and have no complaints about the CO pitch.

Exit rows on CO can be tricky. On the 737-300, -500 and -700 only the two window seats in the exit row have any extra legroom.

In theory only Plats can reserve exit row seats online, but the latest web site upgrade botched that and allowed any elite to select them. Not sure whether this has been fixed yet.