Which Airline would you Choose?

[robinb]

American only becuase I have frequent flyer miles with them.

 

[FlyingBelle]

Aren't there any more loyal United people out there?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Aren't there any more loyal United people out there?

No. You're the only one!

 

[FlyingBelle]

Glad you think that's so funny

Maybe we just need a little more exposure here! BUMP!

 

[Lewisc]

I assume you don't fly enough to have status or to be earning FF miles on any airline. Go by which airline has the N/S flight with the best time/price combination. If it's a tie go with whichever airline has more N/S flights to MCO the day you're traveling.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

One additional option if you choose United is paying to upgrade to the Economy Plus section of the plane. According the United website: "Economy Plus Access is a new program from United that allows Mileage Plus general members to sit in our award-winning Economy Plus cabin, which offers up to five extra inches of legroom on all United-operated and Ted flights."

It costs $299 to upgrade 1 person and a companion on all flights for 12 months. The seats are subject to availability, but can usually be snagged by leisure travellers who book in advance because they are often competing for the seats with business travellers who book later. You can see the location of the economy plus seats on your flights on seatguru.com.

As far as I know, United is the only airline that offers such an option in the US. So you may want to consider United if you are interested in paying for extra legroom.

On the other hand, if flight times matter, the return NS flights on United MCO-LAX are at 7 am or 7 pm. American's NS flight leaves in the early afternoon.

Finally, I am not sure when you are flying but we bought tickets last August for LAX to MCO at a great price of $117 RT. Delta started the sale on the 1st Sun in Aug at around $200 and American & United matched, then about 2 weeks later the fares went down even further. Of course, this may not happen this year.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[Fionasmommy]

I think you're going to find lots of people with lots of different experiences, which means it's really just hit or miss. Book a non-stop and take which times best fit you schedule, and just hope that it works out.

I've personally never flown American, but that wouldn't stop me from booking a flight with them if the price/route/time was right.

We flew Delta last month and had a horrible experience - our departing flight left late (with no explanation at all), they told us on the plane that everyone changing planes was fine, 'so just sit back and enjoy the flight." WRONG! We landed at ATL with 20 minutes until our flight to MCO!!! There were about 10 of us on the Atlanta flight who were going to Disney, and we all were sprinting through the airport, having to change concourses and hope the gate number hadn't changed... UGH!!! Needless to say, all of us were steaming mad! The door to the plane closed behind us, that's how close it was.

When we flew home, our flight left late again! Thank God we had a long layover! This time there was another group of people freaking out on the plane, rushing out to run for another flight... I felt really bad for them.

Just based on that experience, I think Delta schedules the flights way too close together, and they aggravate the problem by not telling you that you're going to be late, or telling you that you won't be late when the flight is 45 minutes behind already, or anything! The onflight CS is great, but that doesn't help me when I dragging my five year old through Atlanta, trying to explain that she has to run like the wind or she might not see the Mouse.

I've flown on United more times that I can count - Denver is a United hub so you can't avoid it living here. When I've flown UAL they come over the intercom and list the departure gates for everyone changing planes, and they contact the other airlines if you are late and notify them that you're on your way. I've never been late enough on United that I had to run through an airport to change flights, but if I was I'd feel fully confident that they'd help me make that flight. I've never had an issue with their customer service, they've always been friendly and helpful at the check in counter, on flight, etc.

So, how's that for more info than you ever wanted? Now, don't even get me started about Aer Lingus!!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Also look at what type of aircraft you have on each carrier and what type of in-flight entertainment they offer.

American flies alot of Super 80s which have NO in-flight tvs. Delta should have some type of in-flight movie either on seatback TVs (if on a 777) or on movie screens in the cabin. I have no clue what United offers if anything.

All airlines have their issues. Leaving late or early is usually due to ATC delays though, not the airlines fault.

I'll stick with Delta since they have always treated me right and the other 2 have failed miserably.

 

[FlyingBelle]

I have no clue what United offers if anything.

Depends on the aircraft, I know the 777's have individual screens on all seatbacks.

United also offers FREE movies on flights over 3 hours, otherwise there's some sort of programming that includes various tv shows.

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1070,00.html

 

[dvc guy]

Delta is phaseing out wide bodies (767) for cross counrty flights. On the up side you will most likley get one of the "old" SONG 757 with TV and pay per view movies in your seat back.

As posted they are really all about the same and unless you are going to get a boat load of miles, it is all pretty much the same.

With reduction of flights and smaller planes if your fight is cancelled with any airline you are going to be in trouble.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Currently, Delta and American operate Boeing 757 aircraft on the LAX-MCO nonstop route. United operates Airbus A320 aircraft on this route.

From a passenger perspective, the 757 and A320 are similar. They are single-aisle aircraft with 6 seats per row — 3 seats on either side of the aisle. The United A320 has slightly wider economy seats than a Delta or American 757 (18.0" v. 17.2") because the A320 is slightly wider than a 757.

Today, the three airlines all have basic in-flight entertainment on these aircraft, with monitors above the center aisle and headphone jacks at each seat. On a cross-country flight, you're likely to see a movie and some repackaged TV shows. Delta is redeploying former Song 757 aircraft to longer routes (such as cross-country routes), and Delta plans to update the in-flight entertainment system on 757 aircraft that were never part of Song — so, by next year, Delta is likely to have the most sophisticated in-flight entertainment on this route, with personal, seat-back monitors.

Actually, I like what American has done. They've installed cigarette-lighter style power outlets in many rows, so you can bring any device with cigarette-lighter adapter, such as a personal DVD plater or a laptop. You just have to make sure you're assigned to a row with power outlets.

Because the route requires an aircraft with cross-country range, the airlines cannot switch to aircraft which lack sufficient range, such as an MD80 or a Regional Jet. Nor are they likely to switch to larger, twin-aisle aircraft such as a Boeing 767 or 777, which are being redeployed to long-range international service to other continents. So I would expect no change in the aircraft type as long as all three airlines keep the LAX-MCO nonstop route on their schedules.

I would still go by schedule and price if a frequent flyer loyalty program is not a factor.

 

[pppiglet]

Wow ..you all are great with the info! You have totally helped me out a bunch! (and I bet quite a few others who lurk and read!) Thanks!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

One more comment about the three airlines:

• Delta is currently operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
• United successfully emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy around a half year ago.
• American has avoided Chapter 11 bankruptcy and does not appear to be in any danger of bankruptcy in the foreseeable future.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy tickets on Delta. I don't expect them to go under. However, if you're planning to get travel insurance, you should be aware the travel insurance companies typically exclude carriers that are operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy at the time that you purchase your tickets.

 

[CarolA]

I only fly AA if there are NO other choices. (My NUMEROUS bad experiences were years ago so they are not really relevant, but I just had enough and figured they didn't really want my cash! LOL!)

I fly DL consistently. Like any airline you can get good days and bad ones. I find it helps to remember that things like the weather are BEYOND thier control. (I have watched passengers just chew out airline employees over weather delays... Did the gate agent get promoted to God and can he make the storm move???)

I don't fly UA enough to care one way or the other, they just are not a player at any of my airports.

 

[pppiglet]

One more comment about the three airlines:

• Delta is currently operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
• United successfully emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy around a half year ago.
• American has avoided Chapter 11 bankruptcy and does not appear to be in any danger of bankruptcy in the foreseeable future.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy tickets on Delta. I don't expect them to go under. However, if you're planning to get travel insurance, you should be aware the travel insurance companies typically exclude carriers that are operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy at the time that you purchase your tickets.

Would they not insure the trip at all if I picked Delta, or would they just not pay if they went bankrupt and out of business? That is a good point you bring up.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Would they not insure the trip at all if I picked Delta, or would they just not pay if they went bankrupt and out of business? That is a good point you bring up.

My guess is that they would not cover direct and indirect losses related to cancelled flights if the carrier ceases operations, including the value of the airline tickets.

My guess is that they would cover all the other usual areas of coverage, such baggage loss, secondary medical, weather-related issues, and trip interruption not related to a grounded, bankrupt air carrier.

Because different companies have different coverage and limitations, I would recommend checking with the insurance company.

 

[CarolA]

For travel insurance I suggest www.insuremytrip.com

You can get quotes from lots of agencies and compare the results.

I am from the "self insure" group except for some of my very costly vacations (Disney doesn't hit that category for me)

 

[pppiglet]

Ok...now that I have all your opinions and inputs on these airlines I have one more question.

I found that it is cheaper for me to book one way flights, non-stop, on 2 different airlines to get the times I want. Is there any disadvantage to booking one way flights on differents airlines instead of round trip with the same airline?

Horace.... you've been a great help. Hoping you can answer this one for me!

 

[bavaria]

Ok...now that I have all your opinions and inputs on these airlines I have one more question.

I found that it is cheaper for me to book one way flights, non-stop, on 2 different airlines to get the times I want. Is there any disadvantage to booking one way flights on differents airlines instead of round trip with the same airline?

Horace.... you've been a great help. Hoping you can answer this one for me!

I'm not Horace, nor do I play Horace in real life.....

It seems like frequent flier miles are not high on your list, so I would say 'no, no real drawback' at this point. Typically, one way fares are higher on most legacy carriers, although that is not always the rule anymore. I can often pick up a good one way fare on United, albeit usually a TED flight. (Their no frills version)

But may I also say that you did a good job in investigating your options, and your thread proves that price is not always the only reason for choosing a particular carrier.

 

[pppiglet]

Thanks Bavaria! No...I haven't flown before and don't plan to much so don't pay attention to FF miles. This is a once in a life trip to WDW and cruise for our 25th anniv. next year. I don't plan on sitting at my computer for the next year watching for good deals either. I know what time, what days, and I want non-stop. With prices going up all the time, I'll take my chances and book now at a 1/2way decent price and be happy with what I've found.

You guys have all been great with your information!