It is no secret that I have a very high affinity for United Airlines and all of their code-share partners. United was never my first choice in airlines though. I use to have frequent flier points with Trans World before they were gobbled up by American Airlines a few years ago. So American became the hometown airline. And the service was fairly nice. For a bit, American kept most of TWA's routes out of St. Louis in tack. Those non-stops to many locations were quite nice. But when American gutted St. Louis to help their bottom line, they ended up gutting the airport, the employees that formerly worked for TWA, and our flight schedules in and out of the airport. American has grown back a bit of the post TWA take over downsizing, but still flight schedules and aircraft types still remain lower than before. I do have quite a few miles on American. I fly them occasionally if other airlines are sky high on fares. I am just not a fan of the MD-80's that dominates American's fleet.
I found myself bouncing around from airline to airline, trying new services. America West, Continental, Delta, Frontier, United and US Air. All of them have varying degrees of service in and out of the region. However, I found that United was a better choice for the destinations I would be traveling too.
I have to admit though that I have become a fan of a certain airline with animals gracing their tails. I flew them to Cancun direct from St. Louis over the Christmas Holiday and I was pleasantly pleased. Their aircraft, their services, their employees all made the airline something special.
It really is the small things that make an airline stand out. For many Americans, air travel is all about getting the lowest fare to their destination and expecting the most for it too. I really don't mind paying an extra 20 bucks here for a quicker connection, or to fly a certain airline. I don't mind paying the extra for the pluses.
Most airlines now offer on-line check in, email and phone reminder updates, and various other forms of speeding your travel along. However, it's the even smaller things that make things special and keeps me coming back to my favorite airlines. It's nice when the flight crew asks you where you are connecting too, and telling you the gate and times. Tossing you an extra couple of bags of cookies for your layover. Taking your jacket and hanging it up, even when you are in economy. The small things that make each flight stand out as your best.
So when you are booking your holiday trip to your favorite destination, make sure to pick an airline that makes YOU happy and comfortable.
American Airlines
Continental Airlines
Delta Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Northwest Airlines
United Airlines
US Air
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