Delta, Northwest or Air Tran?
 

Which airline is better, are there any significant differences between them? The flight I am looking at is one hour long and only the only non stop service is with either of these three airlines. I've never flown any of these airlines - I usually fly UA or AA. Any tips? Thanks.

Air Tran is a renamed Valujet from years pass-definitely a no!(maintenance is still bad)Northwest and Delta would be my choices-depends where you are going. Delta has newer aircraft and people seem friendlier.

Here's what I suggest. Go to www.nwa.com and get yourself a WorldPerks number. Go under the "promotions" and sign up for the "Fly Free Faster 3", which will give you an opportunity to pick up 10,000 bonus miles without too much effort (your flight will qualify you for the offer). Book your ticket online (and get 1,000 bonus miles for your first online booking). Sign up for e-mail and you'll get 2,000 miles by Dec. 31, 2003. Take your flight and you'll get 1,000 miles, minimum.

Soooooo.... for your one flight and a few modest activities, you've got at least 14,000 FF miles in your account; not a bad start on something. :)

I've flown UA, AA, Delta, USAir, NW and Air Tran recently, and think they're all pretty unpleasant. The seating is tight; the employees are cranky; no meal service (maybe that's the good news); if there's a problem, too bad for you. If you care, Air Tran doesn't have pillows.

They are all about the same,although I haven't tried Air Tran..I prefer Northwest,only because they have more nonstops out of Milwaukee than Delta.

Flyboy: What's this about getting 10,000 bonus miles for only one flight using the NW promotion? For their 1-2-3-Free promo, if you fly 3 round-trips by early October you get a certificate for a free RT, domestic or to Canada. Is there some one-flight deal that I don't know about? (It would be nice if there were, since I'm not planning on taking 3 RTS within 3 months.)

A few hoops to jump through, but not bad -- and particularly if you tend to pick up some hotel stays w/miles; have the Visa card; have MCI:

http://www.nwa.com/offers/fff/

Happy Contrails!

I am a frequent flyer with Delta and I do feel is one of the better major airlines out there. The quality of the service is good and gate agents are usuallly willing to upgrade you without cost to business or first class if space is available. Just be patient and polite when your check-in, ask the agent what the load is like and that you area a loyal customer and would appreciate an upgrade. It has worked for me. Delta planes are very new and clean. The space in coach is similar to most major airlines, but flight attendants try to make your flight as pleasant as possible. Have a safe trip.

My feeling is that AirTran is Southwest with a bad attitude and a questionable maintenance record.

I've dealt with counter clerks wearing tee shirts and shorts. Not a big deal, but hardly inspiring faith in professionalism, but the clothing choice did match the attitude. Also, beware that their tickets may sometimes include a stop to take on passengers that is not reflected on the ticket or your itinerary. You just sit on the plane for 45 mins or so, not allowed to get off if you're going on. Again, not a big deal but not a nice surprise.

When you buy a "non-stop" ticket from Memphis to DC, and then find you went to Atlanta and sat on the plane without A/C, you see why they're cheap.

NWA and Delta - both decent and average airlines.

For a 1 hour flight??? What's the big deal?