So I've been reading the boards for a little bit and thought I would ask a question. First let me give you some background.

I live in Orange County and am planning on doing a fair bit of traveling in the future. I prefer SNA although LGB and LAX aren't that bad for me. Like most people I prefer non-stop flights and the major domestic flights I would be taking are to LA,S, SFO, SEA, BOS, JFK, CUN, SLC, RNO, DEN, NAS, MCO, FLL, (DCA or IAD), (Hawaii) DFW, SJD and MMH. Prob Sacramento Dallas and some others later.


Here is what is important to me.

1 safety is important to me. Although I'm not a nervous flyer I don't mind pay or researching a little bit more to use a safer airline. Although from what I've seen most US airlines are good. (good pilots, good mechanics, both without management making it less safe, partner regional lines safe, (prefer jet) )

2 having space. I'm 6'3" so some of the plane rides I haven't bought the tickets for are nightmares. (I at least always try to get the emergency seats to get a little extra room although some people say they aren't as safe, but the area over the wing is also one of the safest places.)

3 wifi and power outlets. Also there own entertainment is a plus but not necessarily

So my question is that should I pick one airlines and try to use that or just switch between airlines to whatever is best for that date. I was going to try to start out with coach and then use points to get first class. If I switch between airlines I don't think I can do that kind of stuff with credit cards or amex.

I like Virgin America but I have to fly out of LAX and and destinations are so limited. (also I like a319s and a320s seem like it would be easy for the maintenance but VA keeps losing money.)

Jetblue is great but have to fly out of LAX or LGB only and are missing some destinations for me and no first class and I think no electronics charging. (a320s is nice and although ive heard good things embraers 190s I still prefer boeing and airbus.)

After reading on this site and others, US Airways seems to be what I would have to although still some destinations would be missing. OK planes and making money.

Then we have american airlines who is bankrupt, delta, southwest.... you know all the airlines.

Any thoughts?

Things I like are but not necessary are good food, cute nice and well trained stewardesses (sexist yes but its nice, I'm a young single guy), younger people on flights.

You mentioned all the airports, but not how much you will be flying. About how many miles would you be flying a year. If you aren't sure, then how many trips per year and to which destinations?

That would give a good idea of whether going for a single airline and elite status would be worthwhile. If not, then you could pick airlines based on the best options for each trip (layover cities, onboard amenities, departure city, etc).

Note that if you are willing to pay a little extra, United and Delta both offer seats with a few extra inches of legroom which is great for taller people. Delta has a good amount of seatback TV's if that is important. WiFi is getting rolled out pretty much throughout all the airlines so there's a good chance you'll get it on most flights. Forget power outlets, they will be few and far between and usually just in first class.

Sounds like Virgin America is the best fit for you, but might only be on a limited basis due to their limited route

Ill prob be flying to each location once every two years to 4 times a year. I really like Virgin America, but Mammoth, Hawaii, Cabo, Salt Like City, Denver, Reno, Vancouver, Nassau and Las Vegas I would have to take another airline. I also don't get to fly out of John Wayne which I really like. I like the consistency of a319s and a320s, wifi, younger people working and flight attendants,the look and feel of the planes, the service, the food. The other problem with them is that they are non union. From what I have read on some other posts union members are able to be more forceful about getting something fixed and canceling a flight when necessary than non unions are. Also the fact that Virgin America is losing money means that they aren't going to be able to expand as fast as I would like and I'm afraid what that means for benefits, level of service, maintenance, pressure on pilots to fly when they don't think they should.

I know there isn't an easy answer but I'm just curious what people thought. Thanks for the response.

Another thing is that when I do go overseas Virgin Atlantic has one of the worst first classes for transatlantic flights I have ever seen. Those new Dream Suites look like a joke for what you pay for first class compared to emirates, quantas, qatar or singapore airlines and even american airlines, united and us airways seems to have a better set up than virgin atlantic.

Hello,

As a related question, I am moving to Orange County from Salt Lake City in a few weeks, so I will want to fly from SNA from now on.

I am currently platinum (75K) on Delta (have been for three years), but it looks like Delta will not necessarily be the best airline out of SNA. Any advice about which airline I should consider switching to? As I look at the options, I think the best might be United.

Thank you.

please post the number of mi you will fly in 2012 & the full year 2013....

if you have no idea, then maybe picking the one w/the planes you like is the way to go...

are you in any ff plans now? if so what is the ytd info....

edit to add..... you can get ff status w/mi & segments.....

so to start, will you fly 30, 60, or 100 segs or 30k, 50k or 100k mi in a calender year? &, more important, this year thru dec.....the #s vary a bit between programs, but i think this info will be helpful in getting advice....

I'm looking at about 40k a year domestic and Ill prob be only making one flight overseas a year.

I'll probably get separate tickets for short distances. What mixed reviews did you hear about the Greyhound? How much do you expect to spend during your stay? How much should I look to have set aside for your stay trek do you think?? What are you using for accommodation whilst traveling (Hostels, Hotels, Motels)??

I don't know if it matters but for overseas i will mostly be visiting europe overseas with lebanon dubai and thailand prob the only main places I will be visiting outside europe and the united states, maybe brazil.

I also stay at the marriott family of hotels normally, so I find they are almost anywhere with whatever type of level of service you want, anywhere from a courtyard marriot to the ritz carlton. I just looked up that they give out airline miles to US airways, Jetblue, Virgin and United.

From what I have read United is awful and US airway is just ok. I'm curious if you guys think if US Airways level of service will fall if they take over american airlines.

Don't forget about alliances. For example, UA and US are both Star Alliance. AS has agreements with both DL and AA. You can get mileage in one when flying any of their partners. That helps to get status more quickly.

The problem with SNA is the mouseketeers. I love SNA, but I avoid it like I avoid MCO around holiday weekends and spring break. I will favor LAX or even BUR at those times and DRIVE to Orange County if I have too!!

I think the best advice I can give is to avoid the temptation to fly Southwest unless they are the only ones that go to a particular destination you must get to. Their FF program is a joke now, and only gets you the odd free coach seat. There are no intl' benefits, and the cattle-car boarding system is exasperating. No F class either. I only mention this because they have a pretty big operation out of SNA.

lol thanks pinworm, I have to say I have never been there to see the mouseketeers but since I'm a guy of habit, I think I'm going to just forget SNA all together because I'll be flying to most when they are coming and going. Not to mention that although I have never flown with them I looked up there seat size and with no option in upgrade to first class I don't see the point.

Once again like a said I love Virgin America but Virgin Atlantic looks awful and they have no alliances and so little destinations.
Jetblue has alliances with hawaiian airlines and they have larger seats but no first class to look forward to. and I can't get to cancun, denver, cabo, mammoth, reno or vancouver. and I have to fly out of long beach(i prefer LAX over LGB)
I guess I'm wondering if anyone has any any good experiences with clubs and alliances which would tell me which way I should go on this. I just don't want to end up with one group and it to be a waste because I find out another group is superior in everything.

I was talking about i've never flown with southwest that i can remember

I've been reading more and here is where I am at.(I've give up on SNA and LGB and LAX will be my main airport.)
United has everything I need but a little safety problems and bad ratings are bothering me.
American Airlines has safety concerns and going bankrupt bother me.
US Airways is a partner with United in the star alliance, but hub is not in lax(so not as many nonstops)
jetblue has no first class and missing some locations and operates out of LGB
virgin america is missing a lot of locations.

I know I'm prob over thinking all this but I've only done a fair bit of traveling and my parents really don't care about first class or taking advantage of what airlines have to offer so I thought I would come see what people that are actually doing this think.

Well unless someone less has some thing else to say I think I've found a good combo
United Airlines out of LAX(can still use SNA some times.)
Hotels- Marriott and all the hotels they own
Hertz- for car rental service when needed

None of these companies are amazing or great in any respect but are ok. points can be given by all these to each other. Don't get what I want but at least what I need.

(What I want is a modern day pan am with some new boeing designs.)

What safety concerns are you talking about? UA is an intolerable mess right now, but not unsafe. All the airlines are exceedingly safe. And if bankruptcy bothers you take the train -- all the majors have been there except Southwest, some for years at a time.