Which Flight in First, TPA-SAN, regardless of carrier?
Sep 18, 2018, 4:21 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: FL
Programs: AA ExPlat | UA Gld | DL Gld
Posts: 85
As someone who has TPA as their home base and has elite status with AA with an upgrade rate to first so far at about 65%.
Even I'd go with DL out of ATL for first. Due to the fact I fly LAX - TPA at least once a year for the last 3 years and DL is the only nonstop option. With no status and it being 4+ hour flight I always do first and I find them very pleasant.
Good thing with TPA you're really a free agent so the nonstop on SW at that price mentioned is a good deal. Something I'd consider.
And I really don't understand why people are willing to drive to MCO for flights when TPA is a far superior airport. Yes, there can be cheaper international flights at MCO. I tend to book more out of MIA for those deals.
Knowing that when I land i'll have to drive another hour/90 min back...... or have an expensive uber kills it for me.
Even I'd go with DL out of ATL for first. Due to the fact I fly LAX - TPA at least once a year for the last 3 years and DL is the only nonstop option. With no status and it being 4+ hour flight I always do first and I find them very pleasant.
Good thing with TPA you're really a free agent so the nonstop on SW at that price mentioned is a good deal. Something I'd consider.
And I really don't understand why people are willing to drive to MCO for flights when TPA is a far superior airport. Yes, there can be cheaper international flights at MCO. I tend to book more out of MIA for those deals.
Knowing that when I land i'll have to drive another hour/90 min back...... or have an expensive uber kills it for me.
Sep 18, 2018, 5:54 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: GNV,TPA, & HOU
Programs: Hertz Presidents Circle, National EE, Lots of Stupid CCs&The I Am Crazy Enough To Actually Pay For F
Posts: 357
Yes, US Dollars. Separating this leg from my other 2 on this trip had no barring on price for any of them and they worked out well for me so that part is done.
I love Southwest for short flights, however anything 2+hrs (basically any flight long enough to serve a meal) I prefer F. Even though I am tall it is the shoulder room/seat width which makes me move towards paying for F over just having an exit row. Southwest is great though and I like how the checked bags are included. Most of the time I have 1 with me when I travel.
I am considering this and will be back on the DL meal thread shortly 
Other then the regional terminal I dont mind CLT, I would prefer as mentioned the in seat AVOD
Yes, I used to live close to TPA now I have some driving to do but could be in MCO probably 30 mins more of driving, however the driving could involve a lot more traffic.
I noticed AS does not have ins eat AVOD but they mention having tablets to distribute on their site, can anyone chime in?
I appreciate the feedback, TPA is no longer super close to me currently so MCO is about 30 mins extra driving, although in much more traffic. If southwest had a first class seat upgrade like airtran used to (i was a big fan) I would consider them, but this is just too far for me.
Thanks again everyone! still considering I probably wont reserve until tonight or tomorrow.
I'm with the OP in the camp of flying first class 99% of the time. But for this specific flight, I'd probably book the 10am TPA-SAN nonstop on Southwest for $149. I'd pay the $20 for Early Bird and then get to the gate a bit early to see if there was any upgrades to the first 15 boarding spots to make sure I got an exit row.
My parents live in TPA and grandparents in SAN. I book for them to visit each other and there just aren't that many great options between the two cities. If you have to do first class, I'd choose the Alaska flight.
My parents live in TPA and grandparents in SAN. I book for them to visit each other and there just aren't that many great options between the two cities. If you have to do first class, I'd choose the Alaska flight.
I loved AS F when I first flew it about 5 years ago. Today, I consider it pretty average...maybe a touch below a recently-renovated cabin and a touch above a worn-out A321. I fly a lot of midcons on AS now and have had reasonably good luck with them.
With no allegiance at all, tne nonstop flight would have strong appeal for me. My little experience driving TPA to MCO many years ago was that it was an easy traffic-free shot. But you'd know better whether that's still true, whether rush hour comes into play, etc.
With no allegiance at all, tne nonstop flight would have strong appeal for me. My little experience driving TPA to MCO many years ago was that it was an easy traffic-free shot. But you'd know better whether that's still true, whether rush hour comes into play, etc.
As someone who has TPA as their home base and has elite status with AA with an upgrade rate to first so far at about 65%.
Even I'd go with DL out of ATL for first. Due to the fact I fly LAX - TPA at least once a year for the last 3 years and DL is the only nonstop option. With no status and it being 4+ hour flight I always do first and I find them very pleasant.
Good thing with TPA you're really a free agent so the nonstop on SW at that price mentioned is a good deal. Something I'd consider.
And I really don't understand why people are willing to drive to MCO for flights when TPA is a far superior airport. Yes, there can be cheaper international flights at MCO. I tend to book more out of MIA for those deals.
Knowing that when I land i'll have to drive another hour/90 min back...... or have an expensive uber kills it for me.
Even I'd go with DL out of ATL for first. Due to the fact I fly LAX - TPA at least once a year for the last 3 years and DL is the only nonstop option. With no status and it being 4+ hour flight I always do first and I find them very pleasant.
Good thing with TPA you're really a free agent so the nonstop on SW at that price mentioned is a good deal. Something I'd consider.
And I really don't understand why people are willing to drive to MCO for flights when TPA is a far superior airport. Yes, there can be cheaper international flights at MCO. I tend to book more out of MIA for those deals.
Knowing that when I land i'll have to drive another hour/90 min back...... or have an expensive uber kills it for me.
Thanks again everyone! still considering I probably wont reserve until tonight or tomorrow.
Sep 19, 2018, 7:36 am
#20
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I know they've offered me a tablet in F but I've never used it. It's the same tablet they offer in Y for $10: F is offered it first and at no charge.
Sep 19, 2018, 9:47 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Programs: DL-Platinum / AS-PlatPro / Hyatt - Glob / Hilton-Diamond
Posts: 1,573
The AS flight MCO to LAX is an ex Virgin America (VX) route (and I believe AS has announced a discontinue date).
If it's still listed as an Airbus, then it's an ex-VX plane. AS has started repainting the VX fleet, but seat mods don't start for another month or so (and will probably be slow moving). The F seat in the VX configuration is a sweet ride with angled lie flat seats and a small cabin. The seats have the old style 4 inch TV screens that fold out of the armrest. In the AS forum there's several complaints that AS isn't repairing these seats or the TV monitors since they will soon be replaced (with a configuration that is new to AS with 41" seat pitch and new design). I have not experienced any issues.
If the flight is a 737, then the route has swapped to an actual AS plane. No in seat entertainment, but as already mentioned, AS is good about passing out the portable players. The players are good and tablet sized, the main issue being where to place them during meal service. The cabin itself would be just a generic domestic F seat. Nothing special and really nothing to complain about.
On either aircraft type, the service will be be a small step "simpler" than AA or DL, but on average has a much better chance of being friendlier.
Between DL & AA, my personal preference would be DL. The past few years I've had too many operational issues on AA ... to the point that I usually will not book anything less than a 3 hour connection.
If it's still listed as an Airbus, then it's an ex-VX plane. AS has started repainting the VX fleet, but seat mods don't start for another month or so (and will probably be slow moving). The F seat in the VX configuration is a sweet ride with angled lie flat seats and a small cabin. The seats have the old style 4 inch TV screens that fold out of the armrest. In the AS forum there's several complaints that AS isn't repairing these seats or the TV monitors since they will soon be replaced (with a configuration that is new to AS with 41" seat pitch and new design). I have not experienced any issues.
If the flight is a 737, then the route has swapped to an actual AS plane. No in seat entertainment, but as already mentioned, AS is good about passing out the portable players. The players are good and tablet sized, the main issue being where to place them during meal service. The cabin itself would be just a generic domestic F seat. Nothing special and really nothing to complain about.
On either aircraft type, the service will be be a small step "simpler" than AA or DL, but on average has a much better chance of being friendlier.
Between DL & AA, my personal preference would be DL. The past few years I've had too many operational issues on AA ... to the point that I usually will not book anything less than a 3 hour connection.
Sep 19, 2018, 10:05 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2000
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Posts: 7,816
How about flying via MIA - at least one MIA-LAX flight was on a 77W or 772 IIRC. Although I also seem to remember they price the premium cabin at a substantial "premium" on the wide bodies.
Sep 19, 2018, 10:38 am
#23
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Sep 19, 2018, 12:25 pm
#24
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Yea, if the driving difference between TPA and MCO is only 30 minutes, the nonstop is the way to go. Connections only invite potential pain.
TPA-MIA-LAX-SAN sounds like a long travel day even when things go right.
TPA-MIA-LAX-SAN sounds like a long travel day even when things go right.
Sep 19, 2018, 12:31 pm
#25
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,646
Between AA and DL in this case, I would go with DL.
I have status with AA but for a paid domestic first ticket, there are really no significant status advantages.
But, while I am 6' and have VERY wide shoulders, I'd still pick the Southwest NONSTOP ($140) plus early bird check in ($25) to guarantee an aisle seat in the front or exit row.
No question about it.
I have status with AA but for a paid domestic first ticket, there are really no significant status advantages.
But, while I am 6' and have VERY wide shoulders, I'd still pick the Southwest NONSTOP ($140) plus early bird check in ($25) to guarantee an aisle seat in the front or exit row.
No question about it.
Sep 19, 2018, 12:51 pm
#26
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Between AA and DL in this case, I would go with DL.
I have status with AA but for a paid domestic first ticket, there are really no significant status advantages.
But, while I am 6' and have VERY wide shoulders, I'd still pick the Southwest NONSTOP ($140) plus early bird check in ($25) to guarantee an aisle seat in the front or exit row.
No question about it.
I have status with AA but for a paid domestic first ticket, there are really no significant status advantages.
But, while I am 6' and have VERY wide shoulders, I'd still pick the Southwest NONSTOP ($140) plus early bird check in ($25) to guarantee an aisle seat in the front or exit row.
No question about it.
If it were purely a Y vs Y comparison, even with the chance of an MCE seat as an AA Gold, I agree with you - I'd go WN nonstop every time.
Sep 23, 2018, 3:18 pm
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: GNV,TPA, & HOU
Programs: Hertz Presidents Circle, National EE, Lots of Stupid CCs&The I Am Crazy Enough To Actually Pay For F
Posts: 357
Just wanted to follow up to my thread. I ended up doing the AA flight. It won out for a few reasons: 1) had an AA credit from a few months ago to use before I forget about it that took care of about half the fare lol 2) only about 30 mins more travel time then the DL flight 3) I realized some of my return segments dont have AVOD either so I will just go ahead and get a tablet and load a ton of movies on it, been knowing this was inevitable for a while.
Other big factors include me playing the AA hold game and saving $100 after this flight went up and I believe the DL flight went up $150.
Thank you for every one that chimed in
Other big factors include me playing the AA hold game and saving $100 after this flight went up and I believe the DL flight went up $150.
Thank you for every one that chimed in