United or American

[FCDub]

United and American are both basically the same in my eyes. As is Delta. Anyone who speaks in absolutes about things like this is just going off emotion.

 

[Karin1984]

I know it's a while ago... you can say a lot about all the airlines, but only United has a very catchy song about them:

 

[DLgal]

United and American are both basically the same in my eyes. As is Delta. Anyone who speaks in absolutes about things like this is just going off emotion.

Not really. There are actual measurable metrics that help determine how airlines rank against each other: on time departures, flight cancelation %, frequency of overbooking/bumping passengers, lost/misplaced luggage, crew attendance statistics, maintenance issues.

To pretend that all airlines are the same is ridiculous. They are not. They are separate companies in the same industry and they are not all equal. In addition to the measurable metrics, customer satisfaction surveys paint a pretty accurate picture of how airlines are performing. These rankings come our every year and there are some airlines consistently at the top, and others consistently at the bottom.

As far as domestic airlines go, Delta has been at the top several years running, in numerous different rankings.

 

[gmi3804]

Not really. There are actual measurable metrics that help determine how airlines rank against each other: on time departures, flight cancelation %, frequency of overbooking/bumping passengers, lost/misplaced luggage, crew attendance statistics, maintenance issues.

No number of “measurable metrics” will ensure that your particular flight will go off without a hitch. It’s a crap shoot who you should choose. So choose the flight that best fits your needs and cross your fingers.

 

[DLgal]

No number of “measurable metrics” will ensure that your particular flight will go off without a hitch. It’s a crap shoot who you should choose. So choose the flight that best fits your needs and cross your fingers.

I'll take my chances with an airline with better statistics, thanks.

 

[gmi3804]

I'll take my chances with an airline with better statistics, thanks.

Good luck with that! :: snort ::

 

[DLgal]

Good luck with that! :: snort ::

Thanks! I'm hoping I have a smooth trip! I am no stranger to hiccups while traveling by air. It doesn't always go smoothly. I go with the flow. Whatevs. I always end up where I need to be. But at least I will be on a comfortable plane that has in seat entertainment, sipping on a glass of wine with extra leg room on a flight that has a 97% on time departure status.

 

[sam_gordon]

No number of “measurable metrics” will ensure that your particular flight will go off without a hitch. It’s a crap shoot who you should choose. So choose the flight that best fits your needs and cross your fingers.

I don't understand why you keep bringing up "ensure your flight will go off without a hitch". I never asked for that assurance, and I'm the OP. And yes, while everything said here is anecdotal, it seems United should be the better option.
When I'm buying something on Amazon, regardless of the cost, I'll read at least some of the reviews. That's really all I asked for here was people's reviews of the two airlines.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thanks! I'm hoping I have a smooth trip! I am no stranger to hiccups while traveling by air. It doesn't always go smoothly. I go with the flow. Whatevs. I always end up where I need to be. But at least I will be on a comfortable plane that has in seat entertainment, sipping on a glass of wine with extra leg room on a flight that has a 97% on time departure status.

After a few years of flying only Delta for long haul flights I ended up on a UA flight and was like “WT? WHERE IS MY ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM?! This must be an ancient plane!” then I found out that was normal and AS doesn’t have it either and my mind was blown, DL had trained me to think that was normal lol… happily UA is upgrading their interiors over a multi year effort and adding seat back entertainment with Bluetooth, so at least it’s a step in a better direction vs cheaper direction. They are going after DL, not AA. I’m here for it, I’d like to see UA up their game. (The lack of booze in Extra Legroom seats is weird. I don’t make a booking choice over a glass of crappy wine but it that and the snack basket make DL C+ feel much more premium.)

 

[mikehn]

Whichever airline has nonstops during bankers hours for the least total cost gets my money. I have no loyalty. Im a get in, get out, and go about with my day kinda guy.

 

[jlnten17]

I cast a vote for United because ORD is a major hub and I have more experience with them. As a cardholder I also get a few very basic perks. However, my experience has been similar to others on here - 6 of one half dozen the other. I'd go with the cheapest route. One nice thing about American is the carryon is included in even the most basic airfare whereas United Basic does not allow a carry on (unless you are a cardholder or other priority member).

 

[sam_gordon]

I cast a vote for United because ORD is a major hub and I have more experience with them. As a cardholder I also get a few very basic perks. However, my experience has been similar to others on here - 6 of one half dozen the other. I'd go with the cheapest route. One nice thing about American is the carryon is included in even the most basic airfare whereas United Basic does not allow a carry on (unless you are a cardholder or other priority member).

These trips have been carryon only. And I don't do Basic Economy.

 

[georgina]

Who needs an entertainment system when you have an iPad to access the movies, etc? Not me. I’m always happy when they have a seat back holder for phones/iPads, as SW doesn’t yet.

 

[sam_gordon]

Who needs an entertainment system when you have an iPad to access the movies, etc? Not me. I’m always happy when they have a seat back holder for phones/iPads, as SW doesn’t yet.

I always have my tablet with me with downloaded content. BUT, I would prefer finding something on the seatback system...
A) It's often things I can't get for "free" on my tablet.
B) I don't need to worry about using my battery (although many Delta flights have both AC & USB outlets at the seat)

I have yet to see a "built in" seat back holder for phones/tablets (although it would be nice). I saw one passenger have their own holder for their phone and the FA made them take it down in preparation for landing.

 

[gmi3804]

I have my NYT Crosswords subscription and Kindle library downloads on my iPad. That's usually all I need.

A recent ORD-HNL trip had entertainment in the seatbacks (nice size screens in the Premium Economy section) so I watched a movie too. Though I do have several movies uploaded to my iPad just in case.

 

[DLgal]

Who needs an entertainment system when you have an iPad to access the movies, etc? Not me. I’m always happy when they have a seat back holder for phones/iPads, as SW doesn’t yet.

Not everyone has a tablet nor wants to travel with one. And most people use streaming services and you can't stream with the free wifi on most planes. You can't always download content ahead of time or it might glitch. The last time I tried to download a bunch of shows on Netflix, I got an error message when I tried to play them back on the plane. Made for a VERY long flight.

My kids don't have tablets, just phones. On a long flight like we usually take (5+ hours) watching stuff on a tiny phone screen is tiring. It's much nicer to flip through the content on the seat back entertainment system. Keeps my kids happy.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

Im ORD based so United and AA are my two domestic airlines I fly. I'd give UA the nod currently for trying to improve the xustomer experience. But they are pretty similar in most other ways. For your flights I'd probably choose AA via Dallas just because there is like 6 flights a day. If one is cancelled you'd still probably get on another one. And in worst case it's a shorter drive from Dallas than Chicago.

 

[Pooh's World]

Later this year, I'm scheduled to work in Amarillo, TX. Unfortunately, my airline of choice, Delta, doesn't fly in there. I'm not against flying to a nearby airport and driving, but from what I can tell, all of the Delta airports surrounding Amarillo are 4 hours away. That's a little much for me.

So, it looks like either American or United. Which one would you choose and why? If it makes a difference, I know I'll be doing a connection, with American I'm guessing Dallas, with United Chicago.

Do you have the Cap One Venture X Card?

 

[sam_gordon]

Do you have the Cap One Venture X Card?

No