I said it then and I’ll say it again… I don’t think coach is the end of the world. I’d much rather spend the $ on another aspect of my trip, but that’s just me. A me who has survived the following in coach:

• EWR-DTW-KIX in August 01 (much saner flying time)
• KIX-SIN-BNE and return (although SQ coach is a dream!)
• KIX-DTW-LGA
• LAX-NAD
• MEL-SIN-KIX
• KIX-YVR-JFK (and return)
• KIX-ICN-LAX
• HPN-ORD-LAX-AKL-MEL (OK, I’ll admit to being worn out at the end of that one. 33 hours travel time, ~21 flying)

I agree that there are issues with the US airlines that need to be addressed — namely horrendous customer service and delays, but I don’t think coach is the end of the world.

On another note, I’m currently reading Nuts! and thoroughly enjoying it, even though I’ve never had the chance to fly Southwest. I seem to be on a business strategy/airline kick lately.

Personally, I don’t think coach is that bad. Have I enjoyed Continental’s higher level of service that includes pillows, blankets and snacks? Sure. Would I pay a higher price for it? Probably not. What I did love this weekend was being able to book an exit row seat at the time of OLCI without a) having to be elite and b) having to pay extra. The seat was available and I selected it. It was at the door so I had 4-5 feet of room. Little doubt in my mind that CO is a wonderful legacy carrier and I enjoy flying it when I can, but the pillows et. al. aren’t a crucial factor. I prefer convenience and price.

Reminds me of when I first flew a budget carrier — VirginBlue from Brisbane to Melbourne in March 2002. I loved that you could bring your own food because really, who likes airline food? While it’s now lost its novelty and is a bit irritating (Air Canada’s lack of food on Vancouver to NY because ‘there is no food on domestic flights’), on the whole I don’t find it horrible. I have no problem with using something I have as a pillow or bringing a snack.

What I find far more irritating is the continuing ban on 3.1oz+ liquids through security as I hate being forced to pay $2-3 for a 20oz bottle of soda. I actually checked my bag on the way back from LAS this weekend just so I could purchase some stuff from the spa.

On another note, there’s an interesting post about the Virgin America Effect. I’m flying Virgin America in December and looking forward to it. I joined eleVAte right when it launched so I’m a founding member, but I hadn’t flown VA yet. I’d already booked NYC-LAX when the VA flights were launched and forgot about it earlier this month. To be totally honest, I’d forgotten about it entirely until their flight came back $100 less than a United flight with unfavorable times and I investigated. Upsides – price, a new airline… Downsides – JFK.

I don’t know what it’s done for the NYC-LAX route which seems to be fairly consistently priced over the last year (January: HPN-LAX via DTW on NWA – $369, August: same via ORD on AA – $359 November: EWR-LAX on CO $329). VA was $381 over the NYE weekend which was nice.

Vegas photos and some thoughts later…