Hello,
Am travelling april, 2002 from las vegas to san francisco (one way), which is the better airline? Thanks!

I'm also interested in the same information. For what it's worth, I have read that National Airlines is in financial difficulties and may not be a safe bet. BUT, I don't remember where I read this (could be here??) so I don't know if the info is accurate. I believe Aloha Airlines also has frequent service on this route.

National Airlines is in severe financial problems. I would avoid them at all costs. You might want to consider Southwest Airlines also.

I have flown National quite a bit and have heard that financial news for over a year now. But I can say that they have never failed me and they are full service with assigned seats. L.Vegas is there home hub and April is not that far away. Have you tried A.T.A.- they just had some great fares? I just got round trip from Chicago Midway to L.V. for $155 with the taxes from A.T.A.

People love to hate America West and A.T.A. because of their delay and cancel records. I have been stranded by America West, myself and also left in New York by A.T.A. after three cancels for a variety of reasons. So maybe you are picking your poison with these choices. I have never, ever been on the outs with National Airlines, yet.

I don't know where kkj got his/her info but National and Southwest were the only airlines to turn a profit this last quarter despite the current airline economic downturn. They will not be going under anytime soon. I fly to SFO frequently and National is the main airline I use. America West is never, ever on time. Hope this helps.

Actually at the beginning of 2000 National declaired bankruptcy, got Federal assistance and restructured. They seem to moving along fine so far. I actually booked with them for a flight in April The price was unbeatable, however, I am proceeding with the knowledge that the possibility exists, however remote, that I may have to book on another airline, but the price was so good, I am willing to take the risk, and all of the new news about National has been positive.

OK all you America West bashers:
trivia time....who had the best on time record in the USA for the last reporting period?
That's right. AWA.

Jocko all I can tell you is my own personal experience. I have had to fly that airline more than 8 times on business (I'm not paying for the ticket) and the airline has never once been on time. This includes my most recent flight where the plane was coming from SFO, the flight was one hour late to arrive. Returning home we sat on the runway for 40 minutes and then had to wait for an additional 6 or 7 planes to take off because we lost our place in line. Never, ever on time for years and years.

You're talking about a flight that lasts about an hour. Hardly worth agonizing over.

I'm only the messenger, chris.
And statistics (in this case) don't lie since all the airlines 'pad' their numbers by inflating expected flight times.
I'm sure lots of people have had horrible experiences on AWA.
All I'm saying is that in a "what have you done for me lateley" business, AWA has been behaving well recently.

Sharon it is worth agonizing over when you are supposed to arrive at 8:30pm and don't get to the gate until 10:15pm. When you have a group of people to speak to the following morning starting at 7:00am it can be quite an inconvenience.

Chill out, Chris. I was talking to Mike Ty. If he's flying Vegas to SF, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference whether he takes National or America West.

Thanks for all the response, would consider all your advise, was wondering why United Airlines costs twice as much?Any other airline that flies nonstop to Sfo from LAS?

Airlines typically either try to be competitive in a particular route or market, or just hold a few flights there as a necessity.
If trying to compete, they won't allow another airline to undercut them by 50% on fares (for any significant length of time).
United either 1)isn't concerned with AWA and National fares because their flights fill at current fares, 2)UA isn't trying to compete in that route, or 3)AWA and National have recently dropped fares and UA is waiting to see if they'll succeed in gaining market share before it reacts.

Thanks for all the info!