US Airways Review

I fly within the USA no less than 15 times a year, which I think of as fairly frequently. When I lived overseas, I travelled by air even more frequently - including international travel. I think I have a pretty decent idea of what passes for decent service these days. That said, it must also be said that the level of airline service I expect these days doesn't, in any way, measure up to what I would have expected just six or seven years ago. It's pretty obvious to anyone who travels by air that flight attendants are exected to do a lot more, in the way of housekeeping, and that services to travellers have been cut down to the bare bones. Given the fact that the natrue of air travle has changed somuch int he last few years, I think it's important to rate airlines based on what we can realistically expect today - not based on what we used to expect.

I find myself flying from San Francisco to Tampa several times a year these days, as my folks live in Florida. I've flown several airlines and concluded that US Airways is the best bet. They don't seem to overbook as much as other airlines do. They operate on time more often than other airlines I've flown this route (such as Delta.) I find US Airways is the easiest of all the domestic carriers, when it comes to getting the seat I've requested. No airline offers free meals on domestic flights anymore, but US Airways actually has fairly decent food for sale. I also find the flight crews on US Airways flights are a lot cheerier than those on Delta or American Airlines. As for the cost of flying, US Airways and Dleta usually offer similar fares for the routes I travel. Interestingly enough, Jet Blue, the celebrated discount airline, is always more expensive, when it comes to te SF-Tampa route. Lastly, US Airways honors the same frequent flyer plan as United and Air New Zealand - the two airlines I use when I travel overseas and rack up serious miles.

Flying domestically is no walk in the park these days, but I choose US Airways, whenever possible.