Question for frequent Airline travelers.

[C(Sea)Bass]

I don't really fly anywhere very often so I don't know too much about what airlines are better, so I was hoping you all could help me make a decision. Next month I will be flying from Boston, MA to West Palm Beach, FL. I did some research and the cheapest flights I could find  were from JetBlue and Delta. Both are the same price and have similar departure times. Since I am a bigger guy (5'11, 250) comfort is a top priority.

The JetBlue flight is on an A320 and the Delta flight on an MD-88. Would one of them be more comfortable than the other?

Is either airline known for poor service (I did have a bad experience with Delta about 15 years ago)?

Do either of these airlines let you select your seats when booking?

I know the MD-88's seats are in a 2-3 setup, how are the A320s seats set up? (I am going with a friend so I would prefer a 2 seat row so we don't get stuck next to some weirdo again.)

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Selino631]

I would go with Jetblue, One of my friends dads is a pilot for them and from what i understand everyone gets a tv on the back of there seat even for Coach class.

[Curval]

I've never flown JetBlue, so I can't comment.

Delta sucks...as does American, Continental and US Airways.

I am on an American Airlines flight to New York tomorrow, followed by a Continental flight back home on Friday.  Even up front I dread the whole experience.

[MoeRon]

Try Spirit Air,  i fly to Ft Myers, Fl. from Chicago four or five times a year to visit my dad.  Plus they have the
BIG FRONT SEAT™


http://www.spiritair.com/Default.aspx

[Roundeye]

If you are flying coach, you are going to get a small seat.  It's just plane business sense.  The more you pack in = more $$$.

Your best bet in coach is to get an emergency exit seat.  More legroom.  That is one area that by regulation cannot be cramped.  Plus should you have an unscheduled landing, you can be the first out.

[Spikes]

Delta = Don't Expect Luggage To Arrive.

I'd go with JetBlue to pick between the two. You get DirectTV with even a map to show where you are on the coast. It's really great, A320 sounds about right and it's fairly comfortable as well.

[SPKmes]

As Round eye said get the emergency seat. There is usually only 2 seats and it has the most room. You will need to arrive earlier than required unless you can book your seat at time of your ticket purchase.

[klingan]

www.seatguru.com

 

[Shuffler]

My wife & daughter just got in late last night from Kalifornia (Disneyland). My daughter's first time flying was going up there. She is 18. On the way back yesterday evening about an hour out of LAX the pilot anounces to everyone that they had an indicator and that upon landing they may have a blowout or lock the brakes. He said not to be concerned about the emergency vehicles when they land in Houston.

Control brought them in on the longest strip and they landed without fanfare. My wife said emergency vehicles were all along the runway and as they passed the vehicles quickly fell in behind. They followed the bird all the way to where the passengers get off. Firemen were all around the plane and as my wife and daughter got off there were 2 fully outfitted firement standing there too.

Well needless to say i don't see my wife and daughter flying anywhere anytime soon.

Continental flight 541 from LAX to Houston (Bush)

[Spikes]

My wife & daughter just got in late last night from Kalifornia (Disneyland). My daughter's first time flying was going up there. She is 18. On the way back yesterday evening about an hour out of LAX the pilot anounces to everyone that they had an indicator and that upon landing they may have a blowout or lock the brakes. He said not to be concerned about the emergency vehicles when they land in Houston.

Control brought them in on the longest strip and they landed without fanfare. My wife said emergency vehicles were all along the runway and as they passed the vehicles quickly fell in behind. They followed the bird all the way to where the passengers get off. Firemen were all around the plane and as my wife and daughter got off there were 2 fully outfitted firement standing there too.

Well needless to say i don't see my wife and daughter flying anywhere anytime soon.

Continental flight 541 from LAX to Houston (Bush)

Not every flight is perfect. Your family is safe, no credits to the pilot whatsoever?

[Golfer]

I'd go with JetBlue if you're riding in coach.  You'll get a TV and radio.  The MD-88s are good rides further forward in the cabin (first class) if that's how you'll travel.  Very quiet and you'll get all biscoff cookies you can eat.

Contrary to popular belief the airlines don't go out of their way to lose your bags.  You never hear about it but I've only had one bag ever go missing.  This was August 2001 on my way to a golf tournament where my golf bag didn't make the connection in O'Hare that I barely made due to weather leaving Columbus.

When it comes to travel in general I'm not what I'd call brand loyal.  They all give you about the same product so I choose my airline based on where I'll be traveling to.  If I'm trying to end up somewhere in the southeast, I'll choose Delta connecting through Atlanta.  Further west I might choose United through Denver and for the south American out of DFW.  I airline out of Philadelphia now so that opens up some options to getting where I want to be.  I also get picky when it comes to the type of airplane and will arrange my schedule based on that.  I do all I can to avoid paying for a ticket on a CRJ or <50 seat ERJ.  The Embraer 170/175/190/195 is a good comfortable ride in the back and several domestic airlines operate them including US Airways, JetBlue and Delta/Northwest.  The 170/190 series also do not have a middle seat.  So far I've managed to defy the odds and have yet to be placed in a middle seat between two gorgeous swimsuit models, playboy bunnies or frisky college coeds going to spring break so the middle seat has no attraction to me.

[Huskee]

FLY JETBLUE!  I flew with the last year to Fla., and the fleet is all new aircraft, clean, and yes there is t.v. with cable on every seat.  They provide you with headphones or you can pay $2.00 for a nicer set wich you keep.  I've flown every major airline and I was most impressed with Blue.

[C(Sea)Bass]

Thanks for all the info.

I looked around the internet and found alot of positive reveiws fro JetBlue besides the ones here. Also their website allows me to pick my seats. I had planned on trying to get the exit row seats and hopefully they are available. If not I was thinking of trying to get seats towards the front where it will be quieter. I'm not too worried about getting a middle seat (the person traveling with me happens to be a very beautiful young lady whom I wouldn't mind being forced to squeeze up against ).

[bizz]

Yeah I would go with Jetblue. I've never flow them but I've heard nothing but good things. I fly Midwest 70% of the time a smaller regional airline and I would recomend them but I doubt its an option for you. Northwest is ok I fly them quite a bit too but they are big so problems do happen from time to time.

I think a lot of problems you hear about airlines has a lot to do with which aiport you are flying from or through on a lay over. I've never had any problems with direct flights I've taken from Milwaukee to different locations. But you through a layover in at Ohare or Detroit and it can become a total cluster f*#@ I flew United once form Milwaukee to Pittsburgh with a layover in Chicago Ohare. Ended up being  a 13 hour trip with delays and missed connections. To top it off they lost my road case filled with about 1500 dollars in cymbals and we got into town so late we missed our gig. That was our first and last time on United

[AWwrgwy]

Another thing to think about, I'm pretty sure Jet Blue flies direct from Boston to West Palm Beach while Delta will try to trap you in Atlanta.  Direct flights are so much nicer. 




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