Which Airline would you Choose?

[pppiglet]

Of these 3 which would you choose if they all had the same prices?

 

[LoraJ]

Are they all non-stop or are there layovers? If there are layovers, I would choose whichever has the shortest.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

From my airport (PHL) United has non-stop flights. Everything Delta has is a connection (unless you're traveling to Atlanta). I don't think I've ever flown on American so I can't comment on that.

Besides, I have a United Frequent Flyer number.

 

[bavaria]

Well, I would consider long term loyalty. Cost isn't everything! if you are going to fly again, who flies to the destination you would next fly to? (I voted for United, but that's because I am loyal to them due to my destinations and my status with them)

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Delta definitely - even if they had a layover. United Airlines is 2nd only to American Airlines in their HORRID customer service if something goes wrong. I fly alot - 100,000 miles a year - mostly on Delta and they have always made things right when delays or cancellations have occured. United left me stranded just last week in NJ for 36 hours with no compensation and American left me stranded 2 years ago in LA for 24 hours with no compensation either - both times due to mechanical delays.

If Delta cancels a flight due to mechanical issues then they will rebook you on another airline to your destination even if they do not codeshare with them.

I voted for Delta!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines provide similar service. All three are legacy carriers. All three have a mix of older and newer aircraft. And all three provide a far more basic transportation service than they did five years ago.

If the price is the same, and you're not an active member of a loyalty program with any of them, I would look for the most convenient flight time. Of course, a nonstop is much better than a connection. If you take a connection, try to avoid tight connections (which are easy to miss if your incoming flight has even a moderate delay) and long connections (such as sitting at the airport for 3 hours). If I must connect, I prefer connection times of 60-90 minutes.

 

[pppiglet]

Well, I've never flown so not a loyal customer to any. All these have non-stop flights from LAX to MCO. I have heard Delta changes their non-stop to layovers quite frequently, but seems most people prefer Delta. Just curious on everyone's experiences with these. I agree with you Horace....wouldn't want less than an hour for layover. I'd be lost and miss my flight!

 

[stacy6552]

Will never ever...EVER...fly on American again. United is usually pretty good, but during high traffic times, their attitudes come out, so I avoid them during the holidays. So I voted for Delta, though we do usually fly United.

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

I'd avoid Delta. They are known for changing flights and they are a little unstable, to say the least. United and American are a toss-up. I've never had a problem on United. American changed a flight time on me once.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

You may also want to consider the departure times. I prefer a departure around 10 a.m. over a departure around 8 a.m. The earlier departure sounds good — after all, you get to your destination two hours earlier — until you calculate that you need to arrive at the airport at 6:00 a.m., which means leaving your house at 5:00 a.m., which means getting up at 4:00 a.m.

I looked at some random dates. American's departure from LAX was at 7:55 a.m., United's departures were 10:40 a.m. and 10:40 p.m., and Delta's departures were 10:15 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Under those circumstances, I would rule out American — even though American is my preferred airline.

I hate overnight flights, but some people are good at sleeping on airplanes — even in cramped economy seats.

These three airlines change their schedules fairly often. A 10 a.m. departure can turn into an earlier or later departure. The aircraft type could change. And I can almost guarantee that the flight numbers will change if you aren't flying until next year.

 

[bavaria]

Delta definitely - even if they had a layover. United Airlines is 2nd only to American Airlines in their HORRID customer service if something goes wrong. I fly alot - 100,000 miles a year - mostly on Delta and they have always made things right when delays or cancellations have occured. United left me stranded just last week in NJ for 36 hours with no compensation and American left me stranded 2 years ago in LA for 24 hours with no compensation either - both times due to mechanical delays.

If Delta cancels a flight due to mechanical issues then they will rebook you on another airline to your destination even if they do not codeshare with them.

I voted for Delta!

And just to show you how it goes, I could take this quote word for word, and substitute 'United' for 'Delta' and vice versa. We frequent flyers tend to be VERY loyal to 'our' airline. I will drive up to 5 hours of my way to fly United and avoid Delta.

Clarabelle loves Delta, I love United - neither one of us is 'right', we have just had different experiences and developed loyalty to a carrier which meets our needs.

 

[bavaria]

I looked at some random dates. American's departure from LAX was at 7:55 a.m., United's departures were 10:40 a.m. and 10:40 p.m., and Delta's departures were 10:15 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Under those circumstances, I would rule out American — even though American is my preferred airline.

I hate overnight flights, but some people are good at sleeping on airplanes — even in cramped economy seats.

Personally, I have flown the United redeye LAX-MCO many times and it's one of my favourite ways to get to MCO - love that 6am arrival time! Would I do it with kids? Probably not, unless they were used to red eye flying.

 

[FlyingBelle]

Ok... so which do you think has the best website, and why?

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I looked at some random dates. American's departure from LAX was at 7:55 a.m., United's departures were 10:40 a.m. and 10:40 p.m., and Delta's departures were 10:15 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Under those circumstances, I would rule out American — even though American is my preferred airline.

We fly from LAX to MCO every year and are currently loyal to American. Even with the early flight time, we like that it gets us to MCO in the late afternoon instead of evening. And though you have to get up EARLY, it's not so early if you tell yourself you are already on WDW time!

We don't do red-eyes if we can avoid it, but I tried to book a red-eye with my 2 YO niece a couple of years ago. United cancelled the flight and we had a late morning flight instead.

We use FF miles to upgrade or fly free, which always seems easier on American.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Clarabelle loves Delta, I love United - neither one of us is 'right', we have just had different experiences and developed loyalty to a carrier which meets our needs.

And I love American!

I agree that there is no right or wrong. I've had good and not-so-good experiences with all three airlines. The quality of service varies from flight to flight more than from airline to airline.

The only airline that ever made me angry enough to write a letter of complaint was United.

 

[rparmfamily]

Delta Delta Delta, Can I help Ya!!!! Like there is anything else besides Delta, come on Delta has a great website and AA isn't to shabby but United sucks when it comes to the website. Just remember Good Goes Around.

Rex

 

[pppiglet]

You may also want to consider the departure times. I prefer a departure around 10 a.m. over a departure around 8 a.m. The earlier departure sounds good — after all, you get to your destination two hours earlier — until you calculate that you need to arrive at the airport at 6:00 a.m., which means leaving your house at 5:00 a.m., which means getting up at 4:00 a.m.

I had to laugh when I read this. I was thinking the exact same thing. Even with the 10am flight (which is what we will probably do) we have to be there by 8am which means leave here by 6am which means get up at 4am!

I'd do the red eye if we didn't have to be on a cruise the next day. We'd be wiped out. (and they say better safe than sorry and arrive a day earlier)

You all are making me feel a lot better about booking flights though. I am just so paranoid since I haven't done it before.

 

[Esmerelda]

American Airlines...hands down

To be perfectly blunt..if Delta were my only choice...I'd drive or walk to Disney before I would ever attempt to be one of their passengers again.

Oddly enough, on my purchased flight/trip insurance policy for my trip that is 7 days out...Delta is one of the 30 airlines listed on it that they won't protect if it goes under (as in bankruptcy) and you have a seat on it. Nothing would surprise me regarding Delta.

I can't comment on United because I can't recall ever flying them. I am a seasoned traveler and have flown quite a bit over the years for business and pleasure.

good day,
Esmerelda

 

[addictd2disney]

Don't even need to think about it. Delta is great!

 

[salmoneous]

In all honestly, I don't think there is anough difference between those three to base a choice on. Either go by price, or times, or location in airport.