Discount Airlines

[SarahS]

What's your take on Southwest, JetBlue, AirTran and the other domestic discount airlines? Vote in our poll and discuss the results!

Related Story: A New Look at the Domestic Discount Airlines

[tinkerbell]

Why would I spend more if I don't have to? That's my motto and I'm stickin' to it!

[travelmel]

I have never been treated better than I have on JetBlue and AirTran. It might be more a function of their hiring practices than the prices they charge, but the service is excellent on both. I haven't flown JB in awhile and just heard they serve Dunkin Donuts coffee in flight now...is that true? YUM!

[soliteyah]

I haven't noticed that much of a difference in a service, but the prices are night and day! I can't believe how much some of the majors charge for a route that only costs $120 roundtrip on AirTran. But I'm just waiting for one of the discounters to start offering flights to Europe...

[dhammer53]

People people people.

Discount carriers are over-rated. Here's why:

-No airline mileage credit.
-No pre-assigned seat.
-Many times, discount carriers charge more than the legacy carriers
(everyone thinks they're cheap, and they don't even bother checking the legacy carriers).

The majors usually match low prices of low cost carriers.

I do like the idea of watching television on a 5 hour transcon flight; but, I like earning miles (to use for free business class tix, or upgrades) better.

[travelmel]

You might just be thinking about Southwest here, because JetBlue and AirTran both offer airline mileage credit and pre-assigned seats -- or maybe you haven't give the low-costers a shot recently! I always check the pricing on all carriers and sometimes I get a better deal going legacy (but rarely).

People people people.

Discount carriers are over-rated. Here's why:

-No airline mileage credit.
-No pre-assigned seat.
-Many times, discount carriers charge more than the legacy carriers
(everyone thinks they're cheap, and they don't even bother checking the legacy carriers).

The majors usually match low prices of low cost carriers.

I do like the idea of watching television on a 5 hour transcon flight; but, I like earning miles (to use for free business class tix, or upgrades) better.

[dhammer53]

I'm not sure about AirTrans program. The JetBlue program expires in 1 year, vs 3 years for United and American. I just read that Delta and USAir miles will expire in 18 months <eek>.

[texmex gal]

I luv Southwest (and if you do too, you'll get that). I do agree that they aren't always the least expensive airline, but they travel to the spots that I go to most often for lower prices that most other airlines. Plus, I can always count on them for one-way fares with no penalties.

What would be better is if Southwest went further south into Mexico. I'm crossing my fingers.

[manoni]

I prefer Turkish Airlines even it is more expensive than others, just because for safety reasons also it has very good delicious Foods and great staff.