vacmom

I am going to take my first flight ever this summer to SC from MN - what is the best airline to use as far as quality of service and rates? I have no idea where to start, and it seems like Delta pops up on anything I try, and I have heard negative stuff about them. Help , please!

qwovadis

cheapoair.com
kayak.com/buzz

2 good screening sites. airlinequality.com reviews on airlines all no tgreat.No directs MSP to SC. Directs to ATL and carrentals.com cheap easier for me AirTran Frontier non stops also no tmuch better than Delta cheaper though at times. Southwest.com cheapest web fares for me in the past a one stop via Midway MDW MSP GSP.

You are right few good solutions though good luck!

AAFrequentFlyer

The flight(s) are short, about 3.5 hours total with a break in between. It's not like you're flying to Australia or Asia. Delta is fine. You'll get a small snack or maybe have to pay for it, soft drinks are free, alcohol drinks will cost you.

Don't sweat it.

When I use to fly for a job, domestic flights did not mean anything to me and I always flew first class. It was the long international flights that meant a great deal more in terms of comfort, food, drinks, etc., and that's when I picked the best or at least that's what I thought was the best.

btw, www.airlinequality.com is a total waste of time IMHO.

P_M

If the best price and schedule you find are on Delta then go for it. If you read reviews long enough you will find both good and bad things about any airline. I've never had a problem with Delta and I would not hesitate to fly with them again.

vacmom

I guess since it is such a short flight , it doesn't really matter....the whole first time flying thing just freaking me out a little! Thanks for the comments!

laurie_ann

You don't say what two cities you are flying between. Delta serves many locations from Minneapolis but so do other airlines. Tell us more about your specific plans and we can help.

You can also asearch yourself on expedia.com or kayak.com for various choices.


Also do not overlook Southwest Airlines. They don't appear on most of the search engines, you will have to go directly to their website, www.southwest.com, but they fly from Minneapolis to both Greenville and Charleston with a connection at Chicago's Midway airport. It's a great airline and connections at Midway are easy, it's not so big, and Southwest dominates most of the gates. Free checked bags too. (If you aren't a frequent flier know that most US airlines charge you $25 per piece per way now.)

P_M

If you have any other questions about flying please post back. Most of us on this board have flown countless times and we are happy to help. And please don't be afraid to ask ANY question about flying.

andrews98682

There's not much difference between the major airlines. Go for the best price and schedule. Some people try to avoid turbo props and the smaller regional jets because they tend to be more cramped, so that's another thing to consider. Since it's your first flight ever, I'm assuming collecting miles isn't an issue for you.

Cali

I would not hesitate to fly on Delta Airlines out of Mpls. They have many flights to many cities and their rates are comparable to all the others. WE fly into and out of Mpls. all the time and usually are on Delta Airlines. We have had no problems with Delta.

mscarls

If you book Delta, then keep checking your itinerary and seat assignement at least once a month. For a trip we have coming up, the itinerary has changed several times already. The connection (in Atlanta, where you will probably change planes) kept getting shorter to the point that I felt I had to change the itinerary to make sure we could make it. In addition, Delta changed the type of airplane twice -- from bigger to smaller to bigger. Each time our seats were changed. At one point I had a window seat, which I despise, instead of an aisle seat.
The reason that YOU have to keep checking your itinerary and seat is that DELTA DOESN'T NOTIFY YOU OF THESE CHANGES. Maybe Delta will provide you with an update shortly before the flight, but by then it might be too late to get satisfactory connection or a decent seat.
I would always fly Southwest rather than Delta. You don't get an advanced seat assignment, but for only $10 each way you can bump yourself to the front of the line for boarding. You also can make sure your close to the front of the boarding line if you check in on-line right at the 24-hour-before-departure point. And Southwest doesn't charge for checked luggage (or carry-ons).

P_M

"If you book Delta, then keep checking your itinerary and seat assignement at least once a month."

I think this is very good advice regardless of with whom you are flying because this situation is hardly unique to Delta.

Last year I booked a trip on Continental and there were 3 major changes with no notification, I only discovered the changes when checking my reservation. I don't mean minor changes of leaving/returning at a different time, these changes had me connecting thru different cities with each change.

I have a trip to Barcelona coming up in March, American changed my schedule last week and of course I received no notice, I just found it while checking my reservation.

LSky

Is there really something like the best airline?
Maybe if you're flying 1st class, things might change but back in cattle class it doesn't seem to matter.

I go for price and conveinience, after that it's pretty much all the same imo.

suze

It's such a short flight I wouldn't worry about which airline. Just go with whoever has the best price and schedule for your needs.

Honestly I have never once read airline reviews. I just use who I need to get where I want to go. I flew Delta Seattle/Atlanta/Jamaica recently and it was just fine. If I'm going to Hawaii, I like Hawaiian Air. For Mexico US Air has the best prices and routes for me these days. British Air for Seattle to Europe. Like that.