I thought that I would start a thread on the positives about CO and things we like about CO that we hope do not change. In a recession, even with low fuel costs, cuts will be hitting many industries (including airlines):

1. The Spring fare sale to Europe - I always wait for this sale so I can snag a Business Class seat to Europe during the summer for a meeting.

2. The cheeseburger and chicken-tortilla soup. I am a diabetic, but the cheeseburger is such a welcomed temptation that I am willing do a little insulin! And I love the chicken-tortilla soup.

3. Leave the President's Club alone! It is great just the way it is. The PC employees have always been wonderful and are a pleasure to work with. I rarely drink alcohol when I fly, but I love the OPTION to have a free glass. In the DCA PC, they offer a higher end wine for $5 (I think). That is a great idea!

4. Once the *Alliance kicks in, the need to have a western hub goes away. [But I would still rather fly CO than UA or ... US!]

5. Clean planes. The last time I flew US from IAH to DCA, there was a half-eaten cheese sandwich and crumbs on my seat. Then they charged $2 for coffee and water. When I asked for free water, the FA said "OK, but it is really polluted." Nice service.

I like the BF concierge. They are especially helpful in places like NRT, PEK, HKG.

Let's not forget about complimentary upgrades for elites.

I would like to add "A functional, user-friendly website." Coming from US, this is something I REALLY appreciate.

I need to fly a little with US to gain some 'perspective'........that comment about the website is a little shocking to me

I like the easy/free/unlimited upgrades on the routes I fly, clean planes, friendly people (for the most part but certainly a better % than other airlines), GOOD FARES!, I like it that I can call the reservations line /etc and understand what they say

- Partner award availability online. They don't have everybody, but they have quite a few, and it makes searching for reward travel a lot easier.

- Mix/match awards. Both in class of service, as well as award type (Saver/EasyPass). Not all carriers do this, and it comes in handy sometimes in tough availability situations where you don't have to overpay for something you're not getting.

- PDA Site.

- Priority Bag Handling. Most everybody tags bags like this, but CO seems more consistent at actually honoring the priority tags. Probably the only carrier that gives CO a run for its money on this one is DL.

The miles and freebies are nice but when I step on that plane the complete confidence that they can get me from A to B safely does it for me.

To me nothing else really matters.

what other airline has partner reward availability online to the degree that CO does? I doubt any has it (even if its hit and miss with stuff like AF and certain class of service not being 'really' available)

Now that CM, DL and NW show when I try to book rewards , its indeed a HUGE plus

It's NOT US Airways!!

'nuff said

I liked how on our honeymoon, CLE-SFO, the GAs worked happily with my uncle who gifted his and his son's upgrades to us with no hassle or problem, and passed along that we were honeymooners to the FC flight attendants...

I think NW is the only carrier that has more online partners for award availability. They have KL, KE, and AM in addition to what CO has.

I love how CO has embraced technology.

They have one of the finest websites and pda sites in the industry and they only get better. They continue to improve, and they routinely implement user/customer suggestions.

Paperless boarding continues to be another great example of embracing modern technologies.

Their commitment to LiveTV and in-flight internet domestically are further testament to this. Granted, they may not be the first, but I think they're headed in the right direction to be the best.

Status upgrades, almost always in the correct order no less
Elite phones that ring in Salt Lake City, not India
Great functional website

I second "American English"-speaking US phone reps in Houston, Tampa and SLC.

+1
^

That I can get nearly anywhere I want to go, nonstop, from the airport that's only 45 minutes from my front door.