If prices and times are virtually the same, would you pick an SFO nonstop flight to Newark on Continental or an American Airlines nonstop flight to JFK?

Major differences between the two:

AA charges for food, CO has free "meal at meal time".

AA uses widebodied 767 (2-3-2 coach seating, 32" pitch), while CO are all narrowbodies (3-3, 31" pitch).

So, if FF miles is not an issue, and if you don't mind paying a few dollars for food, I'd pick AA for the increased comfort.

I, personally would pick AA to get miles but also because, while not perfect I find their customer service better. Notice I stress "not perfect" but they've won my loyalty over the years.

If I were you I'd choose the airline that would best fit your future travel needs in order to build FF miles and status on one airline. If your future travel is SFO-NYC then, if I were you, I'd choose based on which airport is most convenient. Otherwise, I would take rkkwan's advice.

But, not being you, I would choose non of the above and go on United's Premium Service to JFK with Economy Plus seating with 34" pitch and power ports. If you reach an elite status level you would get occaisonal free upgrades to business class.

I should have clarified that we normally fly United, but for some reason the price is hundreds of dollars higher than the other two airlines. While most of our FF miles are on United, we have some on both AA and Continental as well. (On this flight, Continental is about $20 cheaper per ticket than AA.)

I agree-- American Airlines has pretty decent customer service in this day and age, and I like the 767's.

I would base my decision on the convenience of getting to where I'm going once I leave the airport.The commute to my destination after landing may be better from one or the other,especially if I'm going to land around traffic time. The extra seat pitch or meal wouldn't be a factor, since neither is anything to brag about..

According to the answers I've received on the NY message boards, it seems like JFK might be a better option than Newark, atlho I have to say that the vote on that issue seems to be split also!

AA beats CO for on-time performance at both ends. (Actually AA at JFK smokes CO at EWR; slightly closer at SFO.) More aisle/window seats on AA, and better on-time performance - that would solve it for me.

EWR vs JFK totally depends on where you're going and how do you want to get there.

I fly CO most of the time, and from Houston, I also prefer flying into JFK than EWR, since I use public transportation to Manhattan. JFK's AirTrain-subway is significnatly cheaper than EWR's Aitrain-NJTransit-subway method.

Thanks for all the help. Destination--W. 56th and 7th Ave. Method of travel--3 people--taxi.

I would pick AA. I really do like their domestic service. Frankly, are you really missing anything by not having one of those airline (i assume y class) meals? For me, it is a bonus NOT to have one served.

Taxi flat rate are the same from JFK or EWR, $45 + tip & toll. But toll may be higher from EWR, and there may be a surcharge for certain times. Travel time will depend on traffic, but I'm no expert in that.

Where do you find the on-time performance info? CO seems to have a slightly better safety record.

http://www.bts.gov/programs/airline_...me_statistics/

It's a searcheable database. You can find data on airport, airlines, even particular flights. Right now, data is up to April 06.

If you want specific flight data for more recent period, you can look for them at www.flightaware.com

To me, if you're looking at service, there's no comparison - CO wins hands-down. AA has tired, old planes and a tired, old staff. CO has one of the youngest fleets of the legacy carriers, and their staff is FAR more professional and friendly than AA. The only reason why I'd even consider AA is if I had to be somewhere in NYC shortly after I landed, as EWR can have some horrendous delays.

rkkwan:

I never thought I'd see the day when you'd pick another domestic carrier over CO!

LT - I simply do not like sitting in coach in a narrowbody plane for long distance like a transcon or US-Europe. Particularly with planes filled up as they are now. [Well, if one can get exit rows with extra legroom, than it's a different matter.]

rkkwan--

Thanks. Interesting data.

I couldn't get the site to load to compare the specific flights I'm considering, but it's interesting that CO often seems to get better reviews in quality ratings but that doesn't seem to be the case when comparing AA and CO at EWR and JFK (or on this board in response to this specific question!)