This question may have been asked before, but I was just wondering as most surveys relate to Business/First Class, which is sortof irrelevant for me.

American has some more room, but aside from that, is there any difference between the airlines? Are any of them truly "better" or "worse"? In my experience, they all seem about the same - food varies, fa's can be charming or surly, etc...

I'm about to use up all my miles on both AA and UA, so I'm thinking about where to focus in the future. BTW, I live in L.A.

Thanks

Manku

[oops - thought this was in a different place]

[This message has been edited by Efrem (edited 12-17-2002).]

There is a difference. However, hard data is difficult to find. If one travels a lot, they can reach their own conclusion even though even a frequent traveller will have a small sample size.

AA damaged my bag beyond repair and said it was only worth $25. Try finding a $25 even at Wal Mart or a street vendor. Another airline fixed the bag and yet another airline paid $120. However, these incidents span a 20 year period because my bags are rarely damaged. AA's $25 offer can't be explained by inflation.

As far as courtesy, I found that Midwest Express (soon to be renamed Midwest) does have significantly friendlier ticket counter agents and FA's. However, they fly mostly to Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Omaha from a few East Coast cities and Los Angeles (see website for map)

Delta used to be good but not any better than the rest during the past 5 years or so.

US Airways isn't bad, but only a little better than the rest, in my opinion.

UA was ok in the 80's but service has suffered badly in recent years. AA isn't any better.

differencies exist, here are just some 'basic' ones:
* different Alliances/partners worldwide (AA: oneworld, UA: StarAlliance): which 'other' airlines/routes of which Aliance do find your interests for award tickets?)
* to which places of business-interest for you does your airline of choice offer more daily flights?

There are small, but noticeable differences between the major airlines. All have friendly crews, and all have some unpleasant ones.

You mentioned AA with MRTC, that is definitely a big one. Also, I just flew United over the weekend and was impressed by E+ as well as the fact that they give you a full can of soda (and happily a second can if you trek back to the galley), have Channel 9 and free in-flight entertainment for those who do not find ATC engrossing.

It's not much, but it can make a trip a lot more enjoyable.

You are entitled to compensation for the current value of what they lost or broke. If you have an old bag, it's quite possible that it's only worth $25 if it was nearing the end of its useful life. The fact that you can't get a new replacement for that price is irrelevant, as you were not entitled to a new bag. You probably could buy a similar used bag for $25 at a flea market or eBay.

AA has more room everywhere in coach, but flies a ton of super-80s, which decrease your odds of getting a middle seat, yet increase your odds of going deaf from enigne noise.

UA has more room in their front economy plus section, where elite members get priority. On a three-quarters full flight, an elite will often get a roomy E+ seat near the front of the plane, with an empty middle next to them. The United planes tend to be newer and less noisy than American planes. They also run more jumbos (777,747, etc.) on domestic routes (such as west coast to Chicago) United also allows you to earn and redeem FF miles on Delta. [Though not on Delta express - even if it happens to be operated by Skywest, a United Express carrier, but that's another economics thread] They also are starting a code-sharing and FF agreement with US. UA also has headphones on all mainline flights with the cockpit communications available. The cockpit communications can make the flight much more interesting and explain what is happening. [Once I heard ATC chide our pilot for lining up on the wrong runway - right before feeling the plane turn!]

Delta flies to Atlanta.

Northwest flies to MSP and DTW. If you like connecting in the snow, you might like it. The planes tend to be older, but the in flight service has gotten much better recently. It is also really easy to get a ton of bonus miles on NW with frequent promotions.

Continental does a lot of code-sharing with NW and tends to have decent service.

Alaska is a good bet on the west coast. They seem to have some sort of code-share or mileage agreement with everyone under the sun (including AA, NW, CO, and Amtrak in California)

Southwest provides frequent service at low prices. For last minute flights of short distances it is often your best bet. (Why get a prereserved middle seat at the back of the airplane on another airline when you can get a middle seat in the front on WN, or if you show up a bit early a window or aisle)

Mr. Carty, is that really you?
They were being unreasonable, plain and simple.

I usually find the biggest being in the spelling.

I agree: $25 is pretty ridiculous! I don't own expensive bags, and even a $100 voucher would probably shut me up, but $25 is pretty insulting. It's almost as if AA is saying "You should be on Greyhound with this luggage."

Strangely enough, AA has been the kindest to me with regards to luggage problems. Their agents can authorize reasonable clothing reimbursements over the phone within 4 hours of your bag being lost. (I was only asking for $150 to buy "business casual" gear. If I had asked for $500 to buy a suit, they might have reacted differently.)

UA once misplaced my bag for almost a whole day, and said they didn't owe me anything until it was lost for 24 hours! Try doing business in a strange city without any clean clothes for a full 24 hours after your flight!