For the (few?) TWA Flyers, how do you like this airline??

How is their elite program, and the Aviators program in general?

How is their domestic Trans World First and int'l Trans World One product? How does it compare to the competition?

Any other comments on this airline?

THANKS!!!

I like their program and hate their airline.

TW is a very good airline with lots of experience. I think they are about the only airline that can show great First Class treatment on their flights since they have been around for a while. I choose TW as my first airline when I made my first trip (4 yrs. ago) and I have been with them since. I only use them for my long haul flights because the times are bad for shorter trips when I have to connect. Their First and One cabins are pretty nice. The One cabin on the 767 has good recline and pitch and the attendants are very attentive on the European flights. The food service is plentiful and never can get hungry cause you will be stuffed after 8 hours. I did take their First cabin to SFO on Labor Day weekend this year and was very disappointed. My last trip in First was to ANC Jan 00. During the SFO trip, their were no linen napkins for the serving of food, we were given a paper napkin and silverware in a plastic bag (like the main cabin is given), and the meal was only one step service. It was a lunch flight but for 3 hours and 40 minutes we should have gotten dessert in addition to a cold sandwich and cole slaw. My ANC trip was linen and the full F service so I don't know if it was that flight or if all of the service is that way now but I was disappointed.

Their elite program offers complimentary first class upgrades (even to HI unlike most US carriers) to Elite 1 and Platinum members. Elites are allowed upgrades but they must pay a reduced fee. The program has one aspect of no other US airline. It offers complimentary Elite upgrades to its One cabin on Transatlantic flights using only the elite card. NO MILES required but it applies to Y or B fares only...one down side. Other than that, the program is pretty fair.

TWA is about the only US airline that cares about reduced flights for student travel. I am a student and you may not care for that benefit but it is another reason the airline sticks out above the rest. Despite what others may say, TW is here to stay and won't be going bankrupt anytime soon.

It's a good program, IMHO, especially for FREE UG's, if you typically pay full fare Y - which I like to avoid! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Biggest problem I've had with them is booking reward travel where and when I want to go - even in economy.

Also, the hours of the Aviators center, unless recently expanded, are kind of like your local bank- only worse! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

The biggest thing to watch out for is that many of their discounted economy fares absolutely prohibit any type of standby travel, which is significantly different policy from the other carriers. (Nearly all other carriers will allow same-day standby on discounted airfares, even if they put you at the bottom of the list.) If your travel plans need to change for any reason, you will wind up hating this airline (unless, of course, you've already bought full-Y or first class).

I think this airline is trying to really distinguish the service it gives to its highest paying pax by both offering additional benefits to full-Y and punishing discounted coach flyers anytime they can.

Having said that, I do fly TWA from time to time and have found that I get more miles-per-dollar here than anywhere, thanks to some pretty good bonus offers and higher minimums on short flights. Redeeming FF miles is always a challenge, but TWA isn't much different from American and Untied in that regard.

Doc,

Don't know of any banks open from 6AM to 11PM.

Hey, he's making a point, who cares about the truth. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

I continue to be amused by the number of "Evangalist" posters who pretend to know what's going on at TWA, but in reality they have very little knowledge of what's currently taking place to keep the airline alive and functioning.

I think a lot of these guys are ticked off because TWA never went out of business when they had all predicted it would over a decade ago. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Also,

To correct "Doc" on free upgrades, they are unlimited and free for Elite 1 and above on any published fare, not just full-fares. In fact, I believe this is the basically the same policy as Doc's beloved NW.

FWIW, I said "It's a good program, IMHO,..."

..."if you typically pay full fare Y..." was a reference to obtaining assured & immediate upgrades rather than space available UG's later during the time when preflight boarding is nearing - AND most importantly the ability to qualify as an Elite based on the amount of money spent. Please accept my apologies for my obvious lack of clarity here! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

BTW- FWIW, my current bank, with internet banking offers 24 hr/day 7/week customer service to me! At least thats what the rep I spoke to last night told me! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

The point here was, however, that their hours are limited relative to other major carriers as far as I know! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Regarding the comment, I think a lot of these guys are ticked off because TWA never went out of business, all I can see is that it is manifestly NOT applicable to me. I never said it or even thought it.

I wish TWA well and I always have. I hope they make it but I'm admittedly somewhat skeptical that they will. I personally know people who have worked for them for many years and I hope for the VERY best for them in particular and for the traveling public in general! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

And regarding, "To correct "Doc" on free upgrades, they are unlimited and free for Elite 1 and above on any published fare, not just full-fares. In fact, I believe this is the basically the same policy as Doc's beloved NW.

Perhaps in ones' haste to defend and/or to criticize posts with which they do not agree, one may read incorrectly. If you REread the post above, you'll hopefully see that I never said they were not unlimited or free! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

NWA is, as you well know, NOT "beloved" by me - howevber they are making money and thus are likely to be around for awhile! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

There program in many ways is better than NWA's, IMHO!

In any case, to rehash and reaffirm, I think it's a GOOD program and have never expressed any ill will toward them or their FF's! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

As on many airlines, good and bad - often depending on your Status Level.

I have been Platinum for some time. Comments based on that level:

1. Greatest advantage: Can use award travel for any flight that has a seat for sale, no restrictions! I think this is the only airline with this policy. (includes companion also if traveling with you)

1a. They have a 15,000 mile Award for 750 miles or less travel. A good deal for shorter flights.

2. Free upgrade with any ticket (other than free travel awards) for Plat. with 100 advance request. I get 1st about 90% of time.

3. 24 hour Platinum desk service on toll free number. Rarely on hold for more than 15 seconds.

4. 1,000 mile minimum (count toward Status) and 100% bonus. A 4 leg round trip from KC to ORD through STL will net you 8,000 miles + the miles = cost of ticket. Plus 1,000 mile for WEB booking. About 9,400 miles for that trip.

5. Good bonus programs (although I hate the registration required on some).

6. On time is pretty good, although STL can be a problem if bad weather.

I am unsure of policy, but I have never had any problems being allowed to fly standby on same day with any ticket (discount or free). But, I am low man on list (as expected) so don't always get on.


Downside: Fewer destinations and partners than other major airlines. A bit older planes and terminal areas. Fewer Ambassador Clubs.

Ok, I'm going to chime in here...

I just got home from DCA. My partner and I are Elite 1s travelling on a (shudder) lowest fare.com ticket to DCA. We were upgraded on all segments, treated great. We were scheduled to leave yesterday, but weather in STL and an unfortunate plane skidding off the runway made for a bad Monday in STL. We chose to stay in DC for the night instead of missing our connection in STL and ending up at some fourth rate motel that TWA would have provided vouchers for. TWA was more than willing to book us on a flight the following day and keep us upgraded the whole way. The treatment we get by the Elite1 desk and the Ambassador club at DCA and SFO make us continue flying them when we are often frustrated and cranky.

Now, for us west coasters, the delays that we experience in the midwest are a nightmare. So far this year we have had three overnight delays coming back from the east coast, thats 60% of the flights this year to date. Meetings have to be rescheduled and days lost to weather, as my dog would say "its a bit defective".

But heck for an airline that is supposedly on its last legs, every single flight going in and out of Seattle is at its full capacity, so go figure.

Now, service and food domestically is nothing to write home about. I haven't flown Transworldone for two years. I am scheduled for two trips in the next month and a half. I hope the quality of the food is as good as it used to be. It would be a treat.

On domestic legs, I will be sure to pack my own mustard for my turkey and cheese sandwich and bring a bigger coffee cup. The plastic is unfortunate, I'm not sure whats up with that. We had salt and pepper shakers for a continental breakfast and styrofoam cereal bowls. I'll probably write a letter.

So, as I drone on, I'll say, I do like TWA, I continue to fly them, though I am thinking about continental. I will see how the next months flying goes.

just my 20 minutes worth.

BTW, My flight this morning from DCA to STL was filled with all sorts going to the debates. Ralph N. flew coach, though I think they put him in an elite1 designated seat. Willard Scott and one of the guys from CNN were in first. Not as exciting as say, Madonna, but neat to see anyways.

TWA will upgrade anyone if you fly 'em often enough. No other line comes close.
http://interactive.wsj.com/articles/...1888943603.htm

Unfortunately, once again however, the last quarter is typical of the last quarter, and the one before that, and before that, and ...

TWA - loss of $45.2 million

CO - earnings of $137 million

WN (Southwest)- earned $184.3 million

No opinions, sadly, just the facts! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Do you want to invest in owning the stock?

Do you want to invest in flying the flights?

You make the choice! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

I'd personally like to see some positives here down on the bottom line - and SOON! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

BTW - My TWA flying, which has generally been most satisfactory if not enjoyable, is now only about 5k a year so I'm clearly no TWA/Aviators expert!

[This message has been edited by doc (edited 10-19-2000).]

I finally decided to take a look at TWA's earnings after reading so many remarks about them. To my eye things are looking pretty rosy compared to year-ago.

EBITDA is positive $22MM for the 3 months vs. ($24MM) in the year-ago period. YTD numbers are similar.

Revenues are up 11% while cash OPEX is only up 9% and RPM's were up only 7%.

These are good figures for a company most are ready to call dead. As long as they can service their debt and contine with reasonable necessary capital expenditures there is no reason to assume they are going out of business.

For those of you who take some joy in TWA's turmoil, I suggest you read Holly Hegeman's article on theStreet.com.

The link is http://www.thestreet.com/comment/wingtips/1125699.html

She continues to be rather gloomy about TWA's prospects for the fourth and first quarters... And, she is not so cheery about their third quarter results either...

I also read on some other website that pilot attrition rates at TWA are increasing as both United and American are in the process of hiring more pilots. I don't remember whether I got this information from a news report or board posting... In either case, if it is true, that would be something else for TWA to worry about...