Is there such a thing as a "best airline"? Although that may seem like an oxymoron, if you pick based on your wants and needs, you may come up with a "best" for you. Sometimes there are "bests" in life and sometimes we have to pick the best from a list of mediocre choices. Enough philosophy, let's get at it!
1. A no brainer here---what airlines fly from your departure city to your arrival city?
2. Class of Service--into cushy, comfy seats? For the long haul, that might be a good choice. For short flights, you decide.
3. Food---Come on, guys---how many of you, when considering where to dine, say, "Honey, should we eat at Le Cirque or Continental Airlines? Now that we've established that airlines and restaurants have little in common, you might want to consider whether you want to byo or be served something designed to fit by size and not taste.
4. Music and Video---hmmm, bring your own or watch theirs? Oh, and watch out, you may have to pay to listen to theirs!
5. Checked luggage---Going away for a week and can't fit it in a carryon (which some airlines even restrict or are considering restricting the weight of such!). Check the fees charged per bag. If you're a gold, platinum, ruby, sapphire, diamond, or superduper level member of an airline's frequent traveler club, you may be allowed one free bag (free as in "Gee, I've spent $$$$$ flying on this airline and all they give me is one "no fee" bag). (BIG SHOUT OUT to Southwest!)
6. Carryon luggage---You'll hear the announcement "You can carry one small regulation-sized bag and a personal item such as a purse or laptop. Currently, ladies' fashion gives us women the advantage of carrying a steamer trunk with handles that serves as a handbag so we aren't terribly inconvenienced by this rule. Men, sorry, you kind of get shafted on this one. Also, beware being the last to board---carryon? Are you serious? That falls under the category of "Gate Checked luggage"--- which is not necessarily a bad deal because it usually offloads first!
7. Do you care what time and day your flight leaves? Some airlines are notoriously late. Their "On time" record is hovers so close to never, it may be best viewed upside down! Also, some flights don't run daily (although this is more common in remote areas---For example, if I were writing about South America, I'd have to warn you that should you want to fly from the Falkland Islands to the mainland, you'd have a plethora of choices if you think Saturday equals a plethora--but I'm NOT writing about South America---just impressing you with my breadth of knowledge or strutting some useless facts stored in my head!).
http://www.bts.gov/programs/airline_information/8. Maintenance records---Do NOT laugh at this one, please! Wouldn't you like to know that someone has recently checked out the aircraft before you embark?
9. Safety records---Ditto. If your flight attendant is speaking through a can attached to a taut string, you might want to disembark. Likewise, if you have to refuel after taxiing to the end of the runway!
10. Environment---This only applies to those of you who care what kind of world we're leaving our children and our children's children. If you're a "Who cares" type, please skip this item! This is actually a huge item and I'm not just talking carbon offsets (where you buy a calculated amount of saplings to be planted to salve our conscience for polluting the Earth---better than nothing, however!). Some planes are heavier, older, have interiors that require more cleaning solvents, yada, yada, yada. You might want to check what the airline actually does for the environment.
http://www.southwest.com/landing/greenplane.html11. Consumer tech savvy---Some airlines have Wifi in the air; others are testing it. Might be a big decider for some!
12. Customer Care---Unfortunately, in today's world, we tend to experience Customer Scare so companies that recognize we are somewhat more advanced than a piece of kiln-dried wood rank high with me. Some even have a designated "Tweeter" who monitors Twitter and other social networks and immediately responds to voiced concerns. How cool is that (Southwest)????
What works best for you? For me, I choose Southwest as often as possible. I admit this with some hesitation because many of you know I'm kind of an airline snob. I remember that some years ago I avoided flying Southwest. I considered it a "Cattle call" where you had to show up at the airport 80 hours in advance (okay, I'm exaggerating---79 hours!) just to jockey for boarding position. Now Southwest has a very civilized boarding process. Besides, I've been on other airlines that have assigned me seats only to find that the airline changed my seat assignment to something less than comfy---like sitting in the last row! Southwest employees use their facial muscles and smile more than any other crew. Bathrooms are neater, luggage is free, their debuting an environmentally "greenish" aircraft, their on time record is noteworthy---and the Chief Tweeter---you just gotta love Southwest!
I wonder if the Southwest Tweeter will tweet me? I'll let you know!
