JocelynP is right. AA's more legroom in coach is long gone for domestic flights and this year they have just reconfigured all of the planes for international flights to add more rows and take away the legroom. I am a vertically challenged person of only 5'3 and I feel like a sardine when I fly AA.

I have never had a bad flight on Southwest, that is not to say that they are the best but I personally would not hesitate to take them and I have flown the Oakland-Chicago flight and found it to be comfortable. I don't care for the lack of seat assignment but if you print out your boarding pass the night before your flight you always get an "A" boarding.

Re the comments on AA discomfort...perhaps we were lucky and got the "last" plane before it was reconfigured, but our AA flight, Boston-London in August was the most pleasant overseas flight I've ever been on. Sufficient legroom (unbelievable! almost as good as Midwest Express); we kept our 2-across seating from the time I first booked it a good six months earlier. And even a not-full plane since we flew out the end of August after most schools were back in session.

Just remember that they don't show movies, so bring something to keep you busy.

You were lucky indeed, tuckerdc. I flew DFW/CDG in January and I must have gotten the first plane to be reconfigured. :-s

Do you like paying the least amount of money to be "uncomfortable" or a LOT MORE money to be "uncomfortable?"

When my fiance and I flew back from LA on United we were given the option of upgrading to economy plus for a VERY reasonable price (arround $30 as I recall). It was well worth it!!! The extra leg room was fantastic. I ahve no idea what it take to book in economy plus in the first place, but if it's an option I highly recommend it.