Which airlines to AVOID?

[purplebelle]

Hi DISers,
I need a (cheap) flight to Ft Myers, FL and someone recommended USA 3000. Anyone ever flown this? Does anyone have airlines they don't recommend? I won't fly small planes and have only flown airlines like United, Delta, American, Northwest, British Airways, etc. I believe I always fly Airbuses. I'm a little leery about flying airlines that aren't well known. I want to fly out of Chicago (O'Hare). Please help?

 

[seashoreCM]

I have had no problems on any of the major airlines.

The only airlines I would AVOID are upstarts like Vacation Express. My apologies to that company, and this advice makes it even more difficult for a new kid on the block. But new airlines and also many smaller airlines don't have a way to accommodate passengers if problems such as financial problems occur. There was an article a few months ago about a new airline that lasted two weeks and passengers were left stranded.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[bicker]

Clearly, the majors are all good bets in terms of service quality: US Airways, Northwest, Continental, Delta, United, American. In addition, their partners are good bets as well: Midway, Comair, Horizon, Alaska, Frontier, Song, etc. There are a set of budget airlines that have great reputations, as long as you keep in mind their limitations, such as, unlike the major airlines, if there is a any type of trip interruption (mechanical, misconnection, etc.), they'll force you to wait for their next flight, rather than accommodating you on a competitor's airline. Southwest, Jet Blue, AirTran, Pan Am, etc. (Spirit and Skywest fit somewhere in between these last two categories.)

 

[Dan Murphy]

Fort Meyers? O'Hare? Spirit.................

http://www.spiritair.com/

 

[crzykid]

I also live in the chicago area. I cannot recommend usa3000 but have you tried looking into spirit air. They have cheap flights and I believe they also fly to Ft Myers. They have specials which sometimes can be anywhere from $68-$89 each way. I have also heard people at work say that they have been upgraded at check in for an extra $20-$40 which gives you more leg room. Remember this is also a no frills airline.

 

[Mark P.]

Hi,
In regards to USA3000, I posted a question about them a while back. Here's the link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=599889

(We decided to stick with a 'major', and booked with Southwest afterall)

-Mark

 

[purplebelle]

seashoreCM, bicker, Dan Murphy, crzykid

Thanks for the replies! I'm going to check out Continental, US Airways, etc. before I actually go with USA3000.

And thanks, Mark P. for that link. I read it and it was very helpful!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I will be flying with them, next month, to Fort Myers. My BIL & SIL has flown on them and really liked the service they received.

 

[Esmerelda]

I'm sorry...but I would never recommend Delta to anyone...and I know I'm not alone.

Just ask my 9 and 12 year old sons...they wouldn't recommend them either after their experiences....and that's sad (these 2 love to fly!)

No major complaints with US Air, Airtran, Southwest, Northwest,
or American (been a while for American for me).

Esmerelda

 

[powellrj]

I know this isn't what you asked about, but if you don't mind flying out of midway, we love to fly ATA. Thats the airline we usually use out of Indy into Orlando. Their site is http://www.ata.com good luck

 

[purplebelle]

wow, thanks powellrj! Your advice has been the cheapest so far. Are you happy with ATA? No problems? Was ATA the company that was having all those crashes a few years back? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks

 

[powellrj]

ATA is based in Indy so ask any vacation traveler in central Indiana and most have flown ATA. We have always been VERY happy with the service we have recieved from them and right now they are the only carrier flying non-stop from Indy to Orlando. I can't remember any crashes they have ever had, but don't quote me on that one. You can select your seats online when you buy your tickets which is a nice perk. Good Luck!!

 

[CarolA]

There is not an airline out there that does not have fans and people that won't fly them.

For example, one poster posted they won't fly Delta, but will fly American. I am the exact opposite. I really MUCH perfer Delta over AA. (I have flown both extensively and....I know avoid AA like thw plague! LOL!)

I however never say never! There are places I have to fly to that are often served by one airline! So even if I don't like the airline, I had better get on the plane.

Your biggest difference is between the charter airlines and the scheduled airlines, Vacation Express, USA3000 and TMA are charters. The rules are different with the biggest being that if they don't fly all they owe you is a refund.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I don't understand something. When people say "charter" airline and "scheduled" airlines...what does that mean?

I'm flying, on USA3000, in less than two weeks, from Philly to Ft. Myers. Are you telling me that USA3000 may decide not to honor our tickets and cancel the flights?

I booked this through their website just like I do for USAirways and Spirit.

You guys have me a little worried!

 

[bicker]

I don't see anything really remarkable about USA3000's CoC. This is pretty standard for budget airlines:

"Carrier undertakes to use its best efforts to carry the passenger and baggage with reasonable dispatch.Times shown in timetable or elsewhere are not guaranteed and form no part of this contract.Carriers may without notice substitute alternate carriers or aircraft, and may alter or omit stopping places shown on the ticket in case of necessity.Schedules are subject to change without notice.Carrier assumes no responsibility for making connections."

So to answer your question, yes I suppose they can choose not to honor your tickets, and/or cancel the flights, but in that case they'd have to refund your money. The only real financial concerns would stem from them going into bankrupcy (who knows, given today's silly economy), or leaving you stranded with nothing more than a refund, but even Southwest could do that if they run into problems with a flight itinerary. Of course, Southwest has a track record which is impressive among the budget carriers, and USA3000 is at best a new guy on the block. You get what you pay for, so if you're getting a good deal fare-wise, there's probably a potential down-side, probably in terms of reliability (not with respect to safety, or mechanical condition of the aircraft, or the capability of the crew!!! but perhaps some other aspect of service). For many folks, the additional risks from budget fares are very much worth it (unless, of course, the risk turns into unfortunate reality).

 

[CarolA]

Sorry!
It does appear that USAir3000 is also running as a scheduled carrier. I belive they started as a charter (or maybe they were a feeder for a big airline?)

Charter carriers are a little different. They have no interline procedures and generally no procedures to rebook you if they have flight difficulties. They are required to hold you money in escrow until you actually fly which is your protection. That said they can cancel flights on late notice and all they really owe you is the refund.

On scheduled carriers, if the airline goes bankrupt the US Congress has mandated that other airlines have to take your tickets and can only charge you something like $25 or $50 for the pleasure.

Scheduled carriers have to abide with the oft quoted "rule 240" which outlines your rights. Charter carriers don't.

 

[bicker]

Sorry, CarolA, but your information is out-dated. Rule 240 hasn't been a mandate for well over a decade. The budget airlines we've been talking about (Southwest, included) have no interline agreements. Other airlines cannot be compelled to accept their tickets, any longer.

 

[bytheblood]

I am not a fan of Delta. I take American every time.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Lately, we've had quite a few problems with US Airways. I've always had good experiences with Delta, though. Trying AirTran for the first time in a few months, so I'll let you know later about them.

 

[CarolA]

Bicker, you are correct in that Rule 240 has changed. Current regulations require each airline to have conditions of carriage filed with the DOT that has the airlines "Rule 240" THe buget carriers have a signficantly different set of "conditons of carraige" I have found this site useful.
http://www.mytravelrights.com/travellaw.cfm?ai=3

It has the info below, links to the airlines conditions of carriage and other info.

"Rule 240.

Before airline deregulation in 1978, Rule 240 was literally a federal requirement. Nowadays, it's a term describing what individual airlines will do for late or stranded passengers. In fact, the major airlines have filed "conditions of carriage" with the U.S. Department of Transporatation (DOT) guaranteeing their respective Rule 240s.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, or if you've missed your flight connection, these policies may give you free meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, phone calls, and other amenities. You may be booked on a substitute flight -- even on another airline -- and you may be compensated or given a full refund if the flight problems persist.

How can you use Rule 240 to protect your rights?

Always carry a printed copy of your airline's Rule 240. Though the DOT requires airlines to keep a Rule 240 copy available for passengers at every ticket counter, don't count on that."