Choosing an airline

[Beef03]

I'm looking at possibly flying to Arizona for a short vacation in December. Being a Canuck I've only ever flown Air Canada and West Jet, I have no conscious experience with any U.S. airlines -- I think we flew TWA or something when I was knee high to a grasshopper and flying to Fla. Is there a consensus airline that I should avoid at all costs? Right now Delta is cheapest by almost $100, would I be miserable if I choose them?

 

[imjustagirl]

I avoid United and US Air when at all possible. I'm stuck with Delta, living in Atlanta, but it's not terrible. If I remember correctly, you're tall? If so, good luck in coach. I don't know how the space is in Canadian planes, but there's not a lot of leg room on US planes.

 

[Giggity]

I assume you're familiar with kayak.com, to compare prices?

I fly quite a bit, and the only airline that I would avoid at all costs is Spirit Airlines. I'm not even sure that they fly to Canada, but for anybody else reading this thread: AVOID SPIRIT AIRLINES AT ALL COSTS.

They rope-you in with super-cheap fares. Then they charge for all kinds of crazy things, like carry-ons. Worse, they'll completely re-route flights a day or two ahead of time. Your non-stop from Phoenix to Seattle suddenly leaves an hour later and has a layover in San Diego - things of that ilk.

The other airlines have their problems, but Spirit is legitimately a scam.

 

[Beef03]

I avoid United and US Air when at all possible. I'm stuck with Delta, living in Atlanta, but it's not terrible. If I remember correctly, you're tall? If so, good luck in coach. I don't know how the space is in Canadian planes, but there's not a lot of leg room on US planes.

Yeah I'm about 6'3" On Canadian flights I get by on sitting in the emergency rows.

 

[Beef03]

I assume you're familiar with kayak.com, to compare prices?

I fly quite a bit, and the only airline that I would avoid at all costs is Spirit Airlines. I'm not even sure that they fly to Canada, but for anybody else reading this thread: AVOID SPIRIT AIRLINES AT ALL COSTS.

They rope-you in with super-cheap fares. Then they charge for all kinds of crazy things, like carry-ons. Worse, they'll completely re-route flights a day or two ahead of time. Your non-stop from Phoenix to Seattle suddenly leaves an hour later and has a layover in San Diego - things of that ilk.

The other airlines have their problems, but Spirit is legitimately a scam.

I haven't hear of Spirit before, but I will avoid them. Thank you.

 

[Amy]

I fly Delta frequently. It's an airline. If you connect in Atlanta be sure to leave enough time between flights.

I don't find that much difference between the major airlines although for no logical reason, I dislike American.

My favorite airline is Jet Blue.

When comparing prices be sure that all fees are being included for things like checking luggage or getting a seat with your needed leg room.

 

[trifectarich]

I'll echo the sentiment of those who suggest avoiding Spirit. Really doesn't matter which airline you do choose; you're just as likely to have a miserable or awesome experience regardless of your choice. Stuff happens and sometimes it's beyond anyone's control.

 

[JC]

Beef, if you are looking for real cheap, look at flying Allegient out of Bellingham. You get what you pay for and they nickle and dime you but for a 2.5 hour flight to Arizona I have saved quite a bit. Parking is real cheap there as well.

 

[Boom_70]

Choosing an airline can be a life altering decision. Don't take it lightly.

 

[bydesign77]

Going to Arizona, you're probably looking at Phoenix? That means US Airways for a non-stop most likely. I know Air Canada flies there among a lot of other airlines. They're not great, but they get the job done. Delta would most likely connect in Salt Lake City.

I highly recommend Kayak. It's a great site for comparison fares. It gives you a graph if it is a good buy or not based on historical information.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

 

[Boom_70]

Going to Arizona, you're probably looking at Phoenix? That means US Airways for a non-stop most likely. I know Air Canada flies there among a lot of other airlines. They're not great, but they get the job done. Delta would most likely connect in Salt Lake City.

I highly recommend Kayak. It's a great site for comparison fares. It gives you a graph if it is a good buy or not based on historical information.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

Second Kayak as starting point but sometimes Airline site has better prices.

Start with Kayak to nail down flight then go to airline site but don't go from Kayak
link. Go direct.

 

[I Should Coco]

Another airline based in Phoenix is Southwest. They usually have competitive fares and I've never had any problems with them.

Just know that the "bags fly free" slogan, while mostly true, has some small print that can result in paying for checked luggage (example: not checking it early enough).

But on the plus side, Southwest does not have assigned seats. You check in online 24 hours before the flight, get a boarding group letter and number, and the plane fills up much more quickly, IMHO.

 

[maberger]

if you're coming from the west and go thru seattle, alaska airlines goes into phoenix. i've always liked them

 

[Boom_70]

Always call your airline before heading to the airport.

 

[Batman]

Another airline based in Phoenix is Southwest. They usually have competitive fares and I've never had any problems with them.

Just know that the "bags fly free" slogan, while mostly true, has some small print that can result in paying for checked luggage (example: not checking it early enough).

But on the plus side, Southwest does not have assigned seats. You check in online 24 hours before the flight, get a boarding group letter and number, and the plane fills up much more quickly, IMHO.

They also fly nothing but 737s, which is nice if you're leaving or flying into a mid-sized airport. No small regional jets for certain legs of the flight. My wife is disabled, and having the extra room to maneuver her into her seat is a big reason I won't fly any other airline if I can help it.

 

[93Devil]

Jetblue flies a ton out of Richmond, so more direct flights.

 

[MCbamr]

Just be aware that Continental's planes are held together by toilet paper.

 

[Beef03]

Just be aware that Continental's planes are held together by toilet paper.

So you're saying they would be a more exciting flight?

Well thanks guys, as always, I appreciate it. Just wasn't sure if there was any major difference between the airlines, if one was anymore miserable than the other. I know both Air Canada and West Jet fly to Phoenix from Vancouver, the airport I would be flying out of, but both are far more expensive than the Delta flight I'm looking at. Actually the Delta flight is about half of what it would cost me to fly home one province over. If I do it, I think that's the route I will go.

Cheers!

 

[House M.D.]

You want a pilot who smells like cheap gin and Brut.

 

[93Devil]

You want a pilot who smells like cheap gin and Brut.

Or like movies with gladiators.