As long as the wings stay on and I get there within 24 hours of the scheduled time, I want to save as much as I can. It’s the Scot in me.
I’ll fly Air Canada whenever possible, and avoid Delta, American, and USAir at all costs.
Yep, 737’s. It little bit of something to think about. In 1990 Boeing delivered a new 737 to Southwest, up till this point Southwest consisted of a variety of used aircraft. In 1994, Southwest flew nothing but 737’s. In 1997, Southwest retired it’s last used 737. Later this year, Southwest will take delivery of it’s 500th new 737. I would like to give a hardy thanks to all those that choose airlines that fly the Boeing 737, well all Boeing models really, you have helped keep me gainfully employed the past 25 years.
I try to avoid QANTAS as they seem to make sure all their stewards undertake a course in how to be overbearing and put-upon while snottily fulfilling or denying a passenger’s request. They are by a long way the least pleasant cabin staff I have ever dealt with.
The counter-example has to be Singapore Airlines, which has the most pleasant, attentive cabin crews I’ve ever seen.
I tend to stick with Delta because of I have accumulated many many SkyMiles. Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA), a regional carrier for Delta is the only thing that flies out of Albany, GA. Most of my travel is business related and I like being able to check in the airport here because it is tiny and getting through security is a breeze. However, the flights go directly to Atlanta, which is The major Delta hub. When I travel for fun I use my accumulated miles and fly free, well, almost free. There is this $10.00 charge for “handling”, but hey, a flight for $10.00 is still pretty dang good.
I HATE HATE HATE TWA. I firmly believe a part of TWA’s mission statement applies to doing all it can to kill me. I have had many, many delayed/cancelled flights, been stranded in airports, been in many of their commuter planes in thunderstorms :eek: as if they weren’t bad enough under ideal flying conditions, and have always had my luggage lost on EVERY FREAKIN’ TWA FLIGHT I’VE EVER BEEN ON. I feel it my duty to warn the world about TWA and it’s evil plot to kill me. I live in fear of the dreaded words: “We booked you on a TWA flight.”
<taps swampbear on the shoulder and whispers…>
Dude… TWA was bought by American Airlines a few years ago. TWA is no more.
I’ll second that.
I still live in fear. It will haunt me forever.
My wife is both a carrier- and an equipment-snob. And she freely admits to this.
She flies a lot on business, frequently cross-country, so comfort is a big deal to her. This means being loyal to one airline (in her case American, as it’s the prefered airline fo rher company) so that upgrades are easy and plentiful. I can’t remember the last time she flew coach on business. This also works out well for us on vacations, as we have lots of frequent flier miles to use. Since we are typically looking to go somewhere in the Caribbean for a week of diving, and since American pretty much owns the Caribbean, we can generally get a good deal on vacation travel.
She will also, within reason, pick her flight based on the particular aircraft flying. This is a complex calculus that factors in both the particular arrangement of seats and the number of them (more being better, as it increases the chances of an upgrade seat being available). All I know is that a 777 is the prefered equipment, and I believe 767 after that, but I can’t remember for sure.
I’m less picky, but if I was travelling as much as she does - yeah, I can see how you would get pretty particular about your choice of flights.
I fly from UK to Singapore (student), and I go by a couple of rules.
If Singapore Airlines not over £550, no question - SQ
Otherwise, consider Malaysian Airlines. If under £450, no question.
Will consider
Gulf Air (SO had good experience, except for longass transit)
Thai Air (No personal inflight entertainment system, but it’s not bad otherwise)
Lufthansa (Friends have had good experiences)
BA (Well, it’s a direct flight after all)
NOT
Air France (I HATE Charles de Gaul!)
Otherwise, it would seem that I’ve booked late, and there are few seats left on ANY airline, so I’ll just take what I can get. Then it starts to get really price dependant.
Maybe, but they moved the car rental out of the airport. It’s a long ride to the place, and it has inadequate signage (is that a real word?). When I drove out, I had to guess which way to turn, and guessed wrong. Coming back, I missed the entrance for my company and had to drive all the way around the (huge) building to get back. Most annoying.
The only reason I flew there was that the car rental was in the airport; now I doubt I’ll use it again.
Very interesting, thanks to all. The only thing that ever really jumped out at me in my travel experience is that on AA, I think, I got a bag of “Snyders of Hanover Pretzel Snaps” which were really good. Did I remember and choose the airline? No. Do I now buy Snyders of Hanover Pretzel Snaps? All the time!
I wonder how the snack contracts work… because SOH should really thank whatever airline that was that through those my way.
[wierd interlude]
That’s what they serve on US Airways as well. One bag, 0.5 oz. net weight, per passenger, per flight stage. Thus I get one bag Houston-Charlotte, one bag Charlotte Pittsburgh. I open my ration of Snaps and count them as I eat. 12 Snaps per bag. Always 12. For some strange reason, I hope against hope that someday I get 13. Probably if that ever happens, the next one after will have 11, or the plane will go down, or something.
[/weird interlude]
Hi Danalan. I checked out the second link you provided. It involves a puzzle, to identify the contents of a red packet bearing the words ‘Hi girls / hi God’. Did the guy running that site ever answer the question, or does anyone know?
And they are total babes, an’ all. 
As my airport-worker friend says, “the head of recruitment at Singapore Airlines has to be an arse man”. :eek:
That’s it! I’m flying Singapore.
Well then wouldnt he WANT to fly with them if the tickets were free?
Ha!
I usually fly Southwest. Their prices are hard to beat, and the people seem to be really friendly and have a good sense of humor about treating everyone like cattle.
I always pre-board, since I have a kid under 12. But…if I didn’t, I’d definitely make damn sure that I was there early enough to board as soon as possible.
Okay, here’s another question:
What part of the plane do you prefer to sit on?
The front?
The back?
The middle?
The inside.