F9 and HOU
 

I am travelling from HOU to DEN on the F9-225 on the 22nd of July on an A319.

This is my first time out of the OW alliance and I have heard some very nice comments regarding F9. So when American were sold out, I chose to take F9. The only thing is that they depart from HOU and not IAH, so I have an hour drive from North Houston. I noticed that F9 operate an all Airbus fleet for their mainline operations with DirectTV for $6. A very nice touch. I also noticed that after 10a.m. they give biscuits to the pax. So far I am very pleased with F9 and really have nothing to fault them with. My ticket even comes with two bag, priority check-in, and free TV. These are something that almost no US airline does any longer. What more could I ask from a US carrier?

My questions are as fallows:

1. Are there any seats one would recommend on their A319's in the "stretch seating" area?
2. How is HOU check-in and what time do they open for the 6:15a.m. flight? (I am rather hoping to do some plane-spotting!)
3. How is the HOU departure lounge? (I heard it is being remodeled?)

Thanks for you help,
BA0197

Can't say too much about HOU but the A319 STRETCH seats still have a middle seat so you'll probably want to avoid those like any other middle seat. Row 1 has the bulk heads so you are forced to use the overhead storage.

Enjoy your warm Chocolate Chip cookie. If the load is light, you might get more than one.

Yes, I shall. But the F9-225 leaves at 6:15a.m., so no 'cookie' but on my return I will get one. I've heard that they are not bad.

As far as STRETCH seating goes, I'd shoot for 2A or 2F because I like window seats. If you want an aisle, 2C/2D. We aren't talking about a F product here but 35" of leg room and being at/near the front of the plane is as nice as you can get on a one-class carrier that isn't JetBlue.

All of HOU has been remodeled from airside, to landside ticketing, to landside baggage claim. It is vastly improved from what it used to be (roughly equivalent to a bus station).

A word of warning: the security line at HOU can be horrific in the wee hours. Do not make the mistake of assuming that you'll arrive in a deserted terminal!

Thanks to you all for your advice.

I rather was assuming that the terminal would have only staff in it during 4:00a.m. so thanks for the warning. Nice to know the terminal has been updated, I'm so used to flying on BA from IAH.

Can't wait to try F9, they sound absolutly brilliant.

Well, at 4a it will probably be quiet. A massive amount of people arrive from 4:45a to 5:15a for the morning WN flights and things can quickly get messy at security.