Which Airline do you like the best?
By koalatbs
@koalatbs (2229)
United States
April 7, 2008 3:13pm CST
I have flown in airplanes more times than I can count, starting as a young child with my parents. I have had many pleasant flight experiences as well as many horrible ones. Which airline company do you usually fly & which one do you like best? Lately, I mainly fly via Southwest Airlines. I know... I know, they did have problems recently with having many of their planes grounded along with a steep fine due to flying certain planes that shouldn't have been flying due to inspection problems. However, Southwest has had the best ontime performance as reported by a news report I saw today. I find their prices very good as compared to other airlines. The pilots & flight attendants are usually very friendly & can be pretty funny too. :)
5 people like this
24 responses
@nice030481 (1109)
• Philippines
8 Apr 08
i dont experience yet to ride in an airplane. i dont even know the papers needin to have a trip using airplane. but i wish i coud ride sometimes... i wish i can visit other country...
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
9 Apr 08
What country do you live in nice030481? Here in the United States you just need to have a photo ID to travel inside the U.S. And, if you want to travel to another country you have to have a passport. I hope you get to have the chance someday to fly in an airplane & be able to visit another country. I have flown in planes a lot but never flown out of the country yet. I hope to someday soon too.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (93939)
• United States
8 Apr 08
I don't fly too much. I haven't flown in seven years. But from my experience as well as my close family's experience, Southwest has always been one of our favorites. They seem to work with the customers to really help them in any way they can.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
9 Apr 08
That has been our experience as well AmbiePam. I found it strange initially that they do not have assigned seats though. But, they allow you to check-in online up to 24 hours before your flight is scheduled to depart and the sooner you do so, the more likely it is that you will get a good seat close to the front. I guess they call passengers to board by section. Section "A" is up front in the plane, etc.
1 person likes this
@nanayangel (7879)
• Philippines
8 Apr 08
Hi there koalatbs! I don't have much to compare since I only boarded an airplane eight times and all are just domestic flights. but based on my experience, I love Philippine Airlines the most. Compared to the other one that I tried where the flights are usually delayed.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
9 Apr 08
Hi nanayangel. I know what you mean about flights being delayed. Having your flight delayed can be very aggrevated, especially if you need to catch a connecting flight. My mom & my son flew together last summer and due to a delay they ended up missing their connecting flight and had to spend the night in a hotel.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
8 Apr 08
I can do without the comedy, but being frugal, Southwest is clearly a favorite. I love to fly, but too often in the old days the "image" the major airlines wanted to project was not the image I wanted. Now with non-smoking flights and requirements that drunk passengers behave themselves things are a little better. I love to fly, but no frills, thank you.
2 people like this
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
7 Apr 08
I haven't flown much in recent years and never really went with a favorite. I'd search for the cheapest fares that would accommodate my needs and go from there.
I don't think ontime service would be as important to me as getting there in one piece!
2 people like this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
7 Apr 08
LoL... you're so right Ldyjarhead! I definitely want to get where I'm going in one piece too! I don't really intentionally fly Southwest just because... I seem to always find the cheapest rates through them. I enjoy them more than other airlines. Within the past few years I have flown with United & American and I really like Southwest the best so far. My mom was a flight attendant with American before she was married to my dad. She had to quit once she got married because back then (about 40 or so years ago) you could not be married. My mom said that some of her co-workers were secretly married... some to pilots! :) Unfortunately, I feel American Airlines has really gone downhill. The past few times I have flown with them I have been very disappointed.
2 people like this
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
16 May 08
In the past few years, I have had extremely good luck with Air Canada, flying back and forth between Canada and Phoenix, with them, twice. No only was the flight nice, but they served my faourite kind of coffee on board! ;-)
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
8 Apr 08
I have never flown Southwest Airlines but I did see on the news that they were part of the top three airlines to travel with.
I like Air New Zealand and have used them several times in the past, great service from the attendants and good food too LOL
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
9 Apr 08
I have never flown Air New Zealand. Are you from there? I haven't flown out of the United States yet but hope to soon. My husband is from Jordan and we plan to visit his family there within the next few years. I haven't had the opportunity to meet his family yet, so when I finally do it will be so exciting. We have been married for almost 4 years now. Back to the airlines... yes, I definitely like Southwest the best currently. However, I haven't had a meal served to me on an airplane in years! They have really cut back on the frills on airplanes in the U.S. I guess they only serve meals if the flight is a certain number of hours long without any layovers. Not sure of the exact requirement to actually get food. Sometimes they will serve complimentary drinks (soda, juice, water, etc.) and occasionally you are lucky if you get some pretzels or peanuts, etc! Of course, they'll offer you a boxed lunch for about $5 or more. We usually try to either bring a sandwich and/or snacks with us or buy something during our layovers. It is a shame though that you have to do this, especially after being spoiled when I was growing up and was served hot meals! :)
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
8 Apr 08
I only ever flew with Southwest once and, to be honest, I wasn't all that impressed. We were going from BWI to Phoenix and we not only didn't have a direct flight, we had about four stops each way but we couldn't get off the plane or even get up and stretch. Also, I didn't care for the fact that you don't get assigned seats. There were four of us in our party but we weren't able to sit together. The price was the best we could find at the time, though, I'll say that. I understand the problem with the planes not being inspected was supposedly a clerical error rather than the planes actually not having been inspected, or at least that's what a spokesman for Southwest claims. The airline I've come to like the best is Air Tran which is another low-fare carrier. All their planes are quite new and I've been very satisfied with them each time I've flown with them. The one I was the most dissatisfied with would be United. The one time we flew them we had a three hour delay and right when they finally decided to give us meal vouchers they announced it was time to board then they lost our luggage. It turned out they'd locked it in a room for some reason so we did get it but that was another hour or so we were held up. I've flown U.S. Airways more than any other airline and I've been pretty happy with them also.
Annie
1 person likes this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
9 Apr 08
Hi Annie - I know what you mean... I wouldn't be too happy either if I was traveling with others and could not even sit together! That is why I like to make sure I check-in online exactly (or as close to) 24 hours prior to the time the plane is scheduled to depart. That way you are more likely to get seats together as you will board with the first group of passengers. If you ever fly Southwest again you might want to try that. There is nothing worse than having them lose your luggage. My husband's luggage was lost the last time he flew to visit his parents in Jordan and didn't end up getting it until the day before he left to come home!
1 person likes this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
10 Apr 08
Hi anniepa -
Yes, I think Southwest has really improved & expanded quite a bit since 1998! Check them out next time you decide to book another flight somewhere. You might be pleasantly surprised. Of course, all airlines have their flaws but I am most impressed with Southwest currently over others. However, there are a lot of ones out there that I haven't tried yet either. Like, I heard that Virgin Airlines is pretty good (from the news anyway - never known someone who has flown with them that I know of). Have you?
~ Jill
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
15 May 08
Now I go with cheapest fares - but I used to love TWA - Trans World Airlines - now out of business. I just enjoyed flying twenty years ago a lot better. More room, good food, cheaper prices - and the prices are about to go up even more I think if the airlines do merge.
I love flying though, and is turns out, my baby does too! He's about to fly again soon, when we go visit his grandma. I was allowed to hold him to visit his Ama last Thanksgiving, which was nice, and he just napped while we were in flight, and before and after lift off just stared at everyone!
1 person likes this
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
16 May 08
Hi artemis432 - I used to like to fly with TWA also when it was still in business. I agree with you that flying twenty years ago used to be a lot better, nicer, much more leg room & seat room too! Oh, and yes, the prices were a heck of a lot cheaper as well! Now, the prices are so outrageous. I have to search and search online to find something even half-way reasonable these days. It has been awful for me because for the past two years I have been having to pay for my son to fly across country to visit his father several times a year, which has been hard on the pocketbook! I'm glad your baby likes to fly, it makes the trip a whole lot more pleasant when your child is happy. Even more enjoyable is when other passenger's children are happy... and quiet! LoL My son is 13 years old now, 5'10" tall and in size 12 men's shoes! I think he is going to break my bank just keeping him in clothes and he eats like a horse now too! Yikes. Enjoy your young one while he is still young... and little. :)
1 person likes this
@greenline (14838)
• Canada
21 May 08
I travel often to the Asia-Pacific Region. My favorite airline is the Japan Airlines, excellent service, flying trans-pacific.
@chaigay20 (166)
• Philippines
15 May 08
i have flown philippine airlines on domestic flights in my country a couple of times and the staffs were really nice. (based on my experiences) although sometimes i've experienced delays but nevertheless i love the service. and i've tried Cathay Pacific on more than one ocassion for my international flights and i love the food. they serve great breakfast, lunches and dinner. although they costs more.but as long as u fly on economy, it's alright.i enjoyed flying with them. =)
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
16 May 08
It is nice to hear you like Philippine Airlines and Cathay Pacific chaigay20. I have never flown with either of those as I have not been outside of the United States yet. Hopefully I will get the chance to travel more soon. I did go to Disneyland 2 weeks ago and travelled on Southwest Airlines again. I really like how personable their crew is. I would definitely recommend Southwest... plus, they usually have the less expensive prices compared to many other airlines here in the U.S.
@jtr115 (722)
• United States
8 Apr 08
I had been flying Continental Airlines during the last three trips I made. I even signed up for their frequent flyer program. However, I found much cheaper airfare for the trip I'm taking in October. The flights will be on Delta and American Airlines.
I wanted to try Midwest Airlines this year. I heard they offered wider seats and a nicer variety of meals on board. Unfortunately, they discontinued service to my hometown.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
9 Apr 08
Hi jtr115. I hope you have a good flight on your trip in October. My mom flew home after visiting us last week and she flew on Delta. There was a slight delay during her layover but less than an hour. She said the flight wasn't the best but I think it was because she was flying at night and was tired. She also had a bad cold which didn't help the situation. My mom used to be a stewardess about 40 years ago on American Airlines. She had to quit when she married my dad because they were not allowed to be married and be a stewardess. She says a lot of things have changed since then, that is for sure. They used to serve 3 course meals on china plates. She had to wear high heels and wear a tiny little skirt! LoL
2 people like this
@TheManager24 (1302)
• Philippines
19 May 08
i can only think of comparing our domestic carriers here in the Philippines - Philippine Airlines. More legroom, better service.
@kalass (611)
• India
8 Apr 08
I dont use airlines as frequently as i would like to.Moreover i have never flown on a international flight. As I am from India and as i have very little experience travelling by air i know very few planes which do justice to their flying plans i.e the schedule i am talking about. So i would mention a loacl flight within india, Air Deccan which according to me has been the best judging on the basis of comfort ,ontime performance and services in the flight.
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
8 Apr 08
I am like you I have flown more times then I can count. I couldn't even being to count if I wanted to. I live in PA and my family lives in FL that being said I do a lot of travel between the two places. When traveling between those two I normally fly USA 3000. Not to be confused with US airlines - they are different. They are extreamly cheap flights. I can normaly fly round trip for less then $200. Right now I am looking at tickets for a holiday for my husband, my daughter and I and looking at about 500 round trip. NOT BAD! Plus they serve meals if wanted, which I have noticed a lot of airlines aren't doing any more. If I am not flying some where that they don't fly then I use Southwest or AirTran.
@longbangod (1785)
• Philippines
10 Apr 08
In my country, I tried 3, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Airlines, and Air Philippines. I used to go for the second for they offer a less expensive fare and a lot of promos, they are also following the exact time of flight.
Though as a whole, all are wonderful airlines and your flight with them could also be an experience worth to keep for a lifetime, since we are famous being hospitable, you can expect the most cordial and friendly services if you get the chance to fly with these airlines.
@martontanswerquests (63)
• Argentina
26 Apr 08
Argentinian Airlines because it´s worldwide known by the excellent service and attention that it provide. Have a nice day ! Martín !