Which internal American flight companies do you recommend?

Nene · Post by **Nene** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 5:36 pm

Next year I'm doing Vegas and Orlando and I'll need an internal flight between them. Can anyone suggest any airlines they recommend or have heard of? I'm trying to get some prices online but I need to know which airlines to look up first. ^_^;

Thanks!
~Charli

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 5:36 pm

I can wait. I am a very patient robot.

blueheaven · Post by **blueheaven** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 12:16 am

JetBlue airways treated me very well, and their prices are extremely competitive. They have flights to both Vegas and Orlando.

tex-chan · Post by **tex-chan** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 12:26 am

I agree that Jet Blue is a fantastic airline. I love flying with them whenever possible. For flights within the US, I also like Southwest Airlines, although I don't know if they fly out of an airport near you or not.

I would advise you to stay away from American Airlines at all costs. I have had nothing but extremely negative experiences every time I have flown with them.

kymaera · Post by **kymaera** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 12:27 am

I just go for whoever has the lowest fare with a halfway decent schedule.

Shampoo · Post by **Shampoo** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:06 am

I dunno about decent airlines (I've yet to encounter 1 airline that gave me pleasant experience thru and thru *grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr*

)but I can tell you about the 2 crappiest I've had to fly yet.

Delta and American Airlines... *hissssssssssssssssssssssss*

Nene · Post by **Nene** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 9:24 am

Thanks for the reponses everyone. I've had a quick look at both JetBlue and Southwest. The only thing that's restricting me is the time of day I'd like to travel; preferably morning as early as possible. Southwest seems to offer more flights around 6-9am with two flights being direct which I'd prefer to go for.

One of the things about Southwest that is confusing me a bit is the ticket types. There's "Refundable Anytime", "Special Fares", "Restricted Fares", "Advance Purchase", "Fun Fares" and "Promotional Fares". Anyone know which one I'd be better off going for/which is better value? ^_^

blueheaven · Post by **blueheaven** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 9:40 am

It simply depends on just how sure you are that you will be going on those trips. Refundable fare gives you the opportunity to get your money back if something should happen and your trip got cancelled. If you are sure that your trip is going to happen, then simply go with the cheapest fare you can find. Personally, Southwest isn't the best airline in the states, and you get what you pay for. But if it fits your needs, go for it!

kittens · Post by **kittens** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 9:51 am

I hate I hate I hate taking airplanes!!!!

Seriously they have the worst service ever!

The worst is continental! They lost my bags so many times like I cannot count (ok I can count

they lost three times

). I mean seriously....... Come on!

One time I took the flight from Munic to the US and then I took another flight. I waited for the connection seriously 5 hours and they claimed that my bags could not make it!!!! they had 5 hours!!!!!!

Anyway, I really hate continental and I am trying to avoid as much as I can

Nene · Post by **Nene** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 10:03 am

Wow, Continental sounds bad. x.x

I guess I'll go for the cheapest fare available since I've already booked the hotels and I doubt I'd come to cancelling the flight. I think it also depends, personally, on the time of day and whether I can get a direct flight. I don't really fancy changing over.

The trip is happening in October '07 so I can't book the flights just yet but at least now I have some idea of what flight companies are out there.

Hana · Post by **Hana** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:26 pm

I'm kind of a Southwest expert (no, I don't work for them, but when you live and work in oil and gas country, you spend a LOT of time on Southwest), so maybe I can offer some insight.

Southwest, like most every other airline, offers fares with different levels of restrictions and advance booking requirements. Their 'refundable anytime' rates are going to be the highest, but can be changed at any time with virtually no notice. Their other rates are nonrefundable; however, should you need to change your plans, there are NO change fees. Ever. You only pay the difference in fare, if any, and if the price has dropped you can use the difference on any Southwest flight for the next 12 months. Southwest offers specials every week, and targeted DING specials to their frequent flyer members (and signing up for it is a breeze) every day.

Southwest does not offer assigned seating on their flights, which is fine if you're in a position to get there with time to spare but can be prohibitive if you're set on having a specific seat. You can check in online for their flights 24 hours in advance and get in the first boarding group that way. It's not a bells and whistles way to go, but in all my experiences the service is unparalleled. It makes a big difference when people enjoy their jobs and their airline is making money.

Snakeskii · Post by **Snakeskii** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 2:48 pm

I've had trouble flying on America West (I just wanted the nightmare to end!!!

) and with Delta. With Delta it was an issue of every flight being delayed on two separate occasions. Just make sure you have a decent layover for connecting flights...-_-;; It was pretty rough though.

Nene · Post by **Nene** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 3:38 pm

Thanks for the extra info. ^_^ I also found a cheaper internet booking rate with South West so that looks very reasonable. I like the look of their 8.30-8.45am direct flights which will suit me great so I can be in Orlando by 4pm. Now to wait until I can book. I love the anticipation of a holiday almost as much as actually being there.

monkeyboy · Post by **monkeyboy** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:54 pm

I'll add my name to the list of people who use Jet Blue and have been very pleased.

As Hana said:

Southwest does not offer assigned seating on their flights, which is fine if you're in a position to get there with time to spare but can be prohibitive if you're set on having a specific seat.

To me this has/is a big drawback to flying with them. I don't mind the little extra cost of going Jet Blue for a more comfortable seat. ESPECIALLY when going cross country! Like I've done from the Bay Area to NYC.

6 hours of being uncomfortable is NO fun!

Have fun in Vegas BTW!