Airlines?

[pirasha]

Hey all,

So I was wondering everyone's experience with different airlines?

I mean I was thinking about just going with the cheapest (flying phili to orlando) but in doing some research this probably is not the best option...I mean you have spirit; but this gets more expensive as they charge for EVERYTHING - not to mention the reports I've heard of flights being canceled or changed on a whim

frontier seems to have an issue with canceled/changing flights

united is...well..united

I'm probably freaking myself out over all the horror stories online...after all people are going to post awful experiences, not the decent ones.

I mean on one hand it's not a long flight so it doesn't need to be the comfiest, but I'm terrified of a flight being canceled or switched without notice.

So. those who flights frequently (or not) is there a particular airline you prefer and why? Also is there an airline you avoid?

 

[Denise W]

Hey all,

So I was wondering everyone's experience with different airlines?

I mean I was thinking about just going with the cheapest (flying phili to orlando) but in doing some research this probably is not the best option...I mean you have spirit; but this gets more expensive as they charge for EVERYTHING - not to mention the reports I've heard of flights being canceled or changed on a whim

frontier seems to have an issue with canceled/changing flights

united is...well..united

I'm probably freaking myself out over all the horror stories online...after all people are going to post awful experiences, not the decent ones.

I mean on one hand it's not a long flight so it doesn't need to be the comfiest, but I'm terrified of a flight being canceled or switched without notice.

So. those who flights frequently (or not) is there a particular airline you prefer and why? Also is there an airline you avoid?

You might want to post this on the Transportation board. There are many knowledgeable people over there.
Denise

 

[ShellieMimi]

I use JetBlue to MCO but I don't really think about it very much. It's only a three hour flight & they've never done anything awful to me.

For me, it's not worth it if the cheapest airline is something like Southwest where they have a bunch of different boarding groups & no assigned seats. No thanks!

As with most things, you get what you pay for.

 

[Dis703]

Years past I flew Jetblue and Delta. These days I almost exclusively fly Frontier from Trenton or Philly. I'm very happy with them. I fly RT to Orlando a few times a year lately because it's so cheap. Paid as little as $50 and no more than $100 RT each time. The extra fees aren't an issue for us as when doing short trips we avoid the baggage fees altogether by taking a free personal item (backpack, diaper bag, etc.) for each of us. And for longer trips we condense and check one large bag. Still usually at least half the price of other airlines and sometimes even better. Flights have been great, on time and excellent customer service. I even had an issue with having to cancel a flight last minute because I got the flu. Unlike most airlines Frontier will waive the change fees and credit your ticket for "emergency reasons," which includes things like illness as long as a doctor writes a note indicating you can't fly. The rep on the phone was extremely helpful and they processed it very quickly so I could rebook at a later date.

I did one leg with American Airlines last year as well. No complaints other than I dislike the way they do their fees for picking your seats. More for an aisle or a window and it wasn't a set price it was all over the place depending on the section of the plane. Basically, you can only pick for free if you are sitting alone because the middle one was the only one you didn't have to pay for. Aisle and window had fees. Not a big deal just a dislike.

 

[pirasha]

You might want to post this on the Transportation board. There are many knowledgeable people over there.
Denise

Woops..I KNEW I was probably missing a section....I swear I looked. Thanks for the move Denise!

 

[gatorlisa]

I normally fly Delta. Have not had any significant issues with them. For Orlando flights, I used to fly AirTran but since the merger with southwest the flight schedules aren't as good and I hate the idea of no seat assignment. I live in the Atlanta area so Delta is my best option for almost any destination and I'm fine with that.

 

[JerseyGuy24]

I usually use Jetblue back and forth from NYC area to MCO, they are definitely my go to airline. A few times I have used Spirit though. I havent had any issues with them in regards to changing/canceling flights.BUT I do not like their regular seats, they are very uncomfortable(I usually suck it up and pay for their "big, comfy seat" in the front. And yes, their fees for basically everything is ridiculous

 

[bumbershoot]

Imo all airlines are the same.

I'm probably freaking myself out over all the horror stories online...after all people are going to post awful experiences, not the decent ones

Stuff I've seen recently is just a whole bunch of inexperienced fliers who don't know how to book properly (the air Canada thing...a 10 year old can't fly alone without paying the extra fee so one wonders what they did to get his ticket separate from the family), that you aren't guaranteed much at all and should listen to what flight attendants tell you (united's passenger who told security how exactly to get him off the plane and pretended to be surprised when that's what happened), along with problems caused from weather delays.

Join the frequent flier program of the intended airline. For everyone in your party. Book together or call to link them. Do online checkin. Get to the airport early. Don't book yourself to get to town or home at the last minute; give yourself wiggle room. Have plans; talk through the what ifs. For us getting bumped is a bonus so we try to plan travel so it won't devastate us if it does. Getting there a bit later, getting some free food, and getting a voucher for free travel
in the future is fairly awesome when you can do it without destroying your plans. (We still have a voucher from delta's meltdown last August..pretty nice!)

 

[KT0191]

I've flown Southwest, Spirit, Alaska, Delta, Frontier and United. Luckily, I've always had good experiences with every one of them. I've only flown Spirit and Frontier once and that was a long time ago tho..I think I flew Spirit when they just became an airline. My favorite by far is Alaska. I've flown from Alaska to Atlanta many times and always had the best experiences. I love them. Southwest was good too...they're who I am using in 2 weeks.

 

[Tink_83]

I'd go with the one that is most cost efficient and has the best flight times. I personally like Southwest and choose to fly them over other airlines. I don't have a problem with lining up and taking a seat; so long as you are there for family boarding it is not an problem to get seats together...

 

[leebee]

I like Southwest the best. Two free checked bags, and if we check in right at the -24 hour mark, we never have an issue getting two seats together (actually never have had a problem even with 3 seats) and if I'm not sure I want to take a chance, somebody pays for EBCI. I have also NEVER witnessed an issue with the boarding line-up. Ground crew explain the procedure, and people are always very careful about boarding in the proper order.

For ANY airline, READ all the fine print and know how things "work" and what everything is going to cost before hitting the purchase button! I cannot emphasize that enough; if any of the people involved in the situations we've been hearing about lately had read all the terms and conditions, most of those issues never would have happened, as people would have been educated about and familiar with how the airline operates. Responsibility is on the passenger!!

 

[Westcoastwild]

I fly Delta comfort plus for a little extra legroom on longer flights. I would fly Spirit or Frontier if the times were as convenient and if the price (after addons) was significantly cheaper. But usually the schedule doesn't work out.

All the stuff bumbershoot says is largely true in my experience. In terms of customer service, I've had the worst luck with United. BUT most complaints about those airlines- delays or seat changes or not sitting together are usually invalid- either people feel entitled to something they aren't actually entitled to, or they booked the wrong thing. If you don't pay extra for seat, you don't get to pick a seat...and strangely that logic has escaped a number of people I've been on flights with this year.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I usually choose Southwest. For one, they are usually less expensive than the other carriers and 2 free checked bags is awesome. And two, I've always had very positive experiences with their customer service. I really don't mind their boarding process. There are times when I will pay for the Early Bird Check In, but often I just check in at the 24 hour mark and haven't had any problems getting a high enough boarding number that my daughter and I can sit together.

Unfortunately, JetBlue doesn't fly out of my city. If they did, I'd definitely consider them. They have a really good reputation.

Of the legacy carriers, my favorite is Delta. I've always had good experiences with them. My worst experiences have been with American. I can't remember the last time I flew United. I haven't had any bad experiences with them but it seems like with most of the flights I book, if I booked with United I would be connecting through Newark and I really dislike that airport.

I agree with @bumbershoot that a lot of the negative airline stories stem from inexperienced fliers that don't understand policies and procedures. I think United could have definitely handled the bumped passenger situation better, but the passenger shares in the responsibility since he was refusing to follow the crew members' instructions. But that's not really what the OP wishes to discuss.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Imo all airlines are the same.



Stuff I've seen recently is just a whole bunch of inexperienced fliers who don't know how to book properly (the air Canada thing...a 10 year old can't fly alone without paying the extra fee so one wonders what they did to get his ticket separate from the family), that you aren't guaranteed much at all and should listen to what flight attendants tell you (united's passenger who told security how exactly to get him off the plane and pretended to be surprised when that's what happened), along with problems caused from weather delays.

Join the frequent flier program of the intended airline. For everyone in your party. Book together or call to link them. Do online checkin. Get to the airport early. Don't book yourself to get to town or home at the last minute; give yourself wiggle room. Have plans; talk through the what ifs. For us getting bumped is a bonus so we try to plan travel so it won't devastate us if it does. Getting there a bit later, getting some free food, and getting a voucher for free travel
in the future is fairly awesome when you can do it without destroying your plans. (We still have a voucher from delta's meltdown last August..pretty nice!)

Do you mean air Canada screwed up or the parents screwed up? Can't 10 year olds travel as unaccompanied minors? I would assume that if he had been bumped, the airline would have to treat him as such.

I've been trying to make sense of the article, and I can't figure out why the family didn't just wait for the next flight out of the airport- I mean they just drove, flight got cancelled, drove again.

 

[maxiesmom]

I fly mostly Delta or Southwest, as they have the most flights from my home airport. Though I have flown on United a time or two. The only airline I avoid is Allegiant. Yes, the price is usually great--until you start adding in all of the extras. Charge for checked bags (smaller than most airlines) plus charges for carry-ons and charges for seat assignments. Last time I ran the numbers they would have cost more than Southwest. And then you have the problem of few planes, and if there is a problem the delay can be days (one of my coworkers had that happen).

 

[Dis703]

PPs are right that a lot of those complaints have to do with people not knowing what they are getting into. Many discount airlines get ripped on for charging for everything. But that's exactly the point of a discount airline. It isn't to trick you into paying more, it's to essentially offer a flight with ala carte pricing allowing you to pay only for what you need. Many people don't pay attention when they book their tickets and then get upset when the fees add up. Or when they get to the gate and find out that it costs double to pay for it there rather than pay online ahead of time. All the info is there you just have to read before you book.

And many complaints are common across all airlines. Things like delays and equipment issues happen. But people will go crazy even over delays that are entirely out of the hands of the airline. Always keep these things in mind when reading these complaints. You aren't always getting the whole picture.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

If I can only afford Spirit, I don't go. Other than that I am fine with them all. All of them have good days and bad days.

Spirit has a very limited flight structure so if something happens the "next available" flight can be a LONG time off (One of my friends once found out that was 7 days away...) And they are proud of the fact that they don't do customer service. So I am proud of the fact that I don't support them.

 

[prprincess]

I fly PHL to MCO quite often, and we've been using Frontier lately. Knock on wood, no issues. Prior to that we used to always fly down on Southwest. I think it's just par for the course when you travel--there is always risk!

 

[AquamarineSteph]

When I look at airlines, I also look at how long my flight is vs how much the ticket costs. I am willing to pay a little more for better seats on longer flights.

Having said that, I have had good and bad experiences with every airline with whom I have ever flown. Frontier is a good budget airline, IMO, but I haven't used them for several years. My current favorite is Delta, but long story short - every flight on every airline can have a less than stellar day. Expect the best, prepare for delays, and you'll be fine, no matter which airline you use.

 

[cassie58]

We always fly SW for PHL to MCO, and flights have been best prices and we check in at 24 hours, and have our choice of seats, and of course no charge for any luggage. I like not having to worry about which bags and how many I will bring ahead if time, knowing there will be no fees on carry on or 2 checked bags. Great customer service as well, even giving out Halloween candy the year we flew down that day, and free drink and snack included. I don't know what will happen next time though, as they have cut way down nonstop options, and have none after 4pm, which we like be able to choose sometimes for the way down to fly after school, to get there for example for the last day of FD. And of course to fly back as late as possible to have the time on our last day.