Also very important: the FAA publishes on websites the ontime status of all flights in US.

Helps to know which airlines and which specific routes have the best/worst ontime percentages.
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I actually use Frontier and Spirit almost exclusively, but it’s because I’m paying for the flights. I also used to use Allegiant until they stopped flying out of the airport I used. My flights are usually between $25-35 each way, but I never take luggage and only need a small backpack. Both of these airlines(especially Frontier) will try to nickel and dime you by charging for carry on bags, moving seats, priority boarding, etc.

I haven’t had any problems with these airlines for the most part, although the clientele is a little Dollar Generalish. If I was going on a vacation and packing a lot of luggage I’d probably take Delta or something like that, even though those fuckers lost my luggage the last time I flew with them. I just use the airlines like public transportation at this point.
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I try to avoid Allegiant/Spirit/Frontier but I would rather deal with them on a direct flight than have a layover with anyone.
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Yeah, that’s where I’m at. Fuck layovers. I also only book one way flights individually instead of round trip, which gives me more control over my travel when cancellations/delays happen.
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It's more about who has the routes you want than who has the "best" airline, IMO. I like Delta, but they don't hub out of Denver like United does, so I've never had a Delta credit card.

If you decide to chase international travel rewards, you're generally better off with a travel card with transfer partners (e.g., Chase Sapphire or C1 Venture) rather than an airline specific card. That said, I do both for the sign up bonuses.
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I know a guy who "segment hunts" because he only flies once or maybe twice a month, but wants to the get the PQFs on United to get to Platinum. Crazy fucker routinely flies to SAN from DEN via LAX, so he gets 4 PQFs per trip. And there are about eight directs to SAN from DEN every day.
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OMG what a waste of time.
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For the most part, I find all airlines to be the same - not very pleasant, but necessary. Well, except for Frontier, which is on my permanent boycott list because they're a sleazeball garbage company who will steal from you at any opportunity.

I was loyal to Southwest for several years, when I was flying a lot. They always had the best prices and were reliable. Then I had an international trip scheduled when the Covid shutdown happened, and I had purchased United tickets since Southwest didn't fly there. United treated me really well, and they seemed to turn around their customer service to actually be nice to passengers, which is a unique thing among airlines. Simultaneously, I'd recently had a minor unpleasant experience on Southwest, so I gave United another shot and liked them. Now United is generally my first choice, even if they're a little pricier than Southwest.

As others have mentioned, though, United has a hub in Denver, so they're an easy choice to make since they go nonstop almost anywhere. That plays a big role.
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It's actually not that bad. An hour layover and then a 25 minute flight to SAN from LAX. I've done it a few times. But yeah, no. All my flights last year were direct except one PQF from Monterey to LAX and then home, but that was because I had to.
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It just seems like you’re just asking to get stuck in another airport if you purposely add flights like that. I guess if you don’t mind the layovers it’s not so bad, but eventually you’ll find yourself stuck sleeping overnight in an airport by doing that. United Platinum members must get free in-flight handjobs the way I’ve seen people chase those points.
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Oh it absolutely is. And he routinely gets stuck at LAX. A 58 minute layover is really pushing it at LAX.

And no, Platinum just gets you Group 1 boarding along with Gold. It's basically a prettier Gold with a few other perks. 1K is actually pretty cool, but LOTS of flights. I don't want to make it again this year, but I've already done 16 PQFs and about $8K in PQPs so it looks like I will.

Hilton Lifetime Diamond is also pretty good, but when I learned how I got that status, I basically just stared at the welcome kit...
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I really think with the amount of wealth in the US, an airline like American or United could create business class only airplanes and do quite well with them.

Over 21 years old only, free drinks and a meal on flights, coat closets for suit jackets and special perks for that segment.

There is one in France and that is the only one.
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layovers stink

Once to get to Ontario, CA.
MPLS to Dallas. Layover 2 hrs, Flew over Palm springs to Ontario.
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My question these days is, do you avoid the Boeing Max planes?

I think the bolt thing was just a dumb one-off error. The software stuff that caused the two crashes is a lot scarier.

I've been avoiding the Max planes where possible, but of course United uses them and they're my general airline right now. I have a flight at some point where the Max planes might be the only choice, and I'm not sure if I'll give up the miles and go with another airline.
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I canceled a trip that was scheduled on a Max 9 a month ago but they were also still grounded. But I'm on one tomorrow. And no, it wasn't just a complete one-off. They found multiple planes with the same issue albeit not having NO bolts. Just loose ones.

Alaska Airlines CEO says loose bolts found on 'many' planes
The CEO of Alaska Airlines has ripped Boeing in the wake of the recent near-disaster, revealing that loose bolts were found on “many” of the company's 737 MAX 9 planes. CEO Ben Minicucci said that a new in-house inspection of the Boeing model in the fleet has uncovered that “many” of the planes had loose bolts.

United Airlines has found loose door plug bolts on at least five of the Boeing 737 Max 9 planes, as airlines begin inspecting planes following the Federal Aviation Administration’s temporary grounding order.

The loose bolts were found during initial inspections of what is known as the “mid-cabin door plug” partway down the fuselage of the 737-9, according to maintenance logs viewed by Skift.

“LH Mid Cabin Emergency Exit Door Plug, Upper Forward Guide Fitting, Lower Attach Bolts (2 ea.) are loose,” reads one of the reports, which was dated January 8.

I do actively look for flights that are Airbus now, but it doesn't always work out. Their seats hurt my back but that's better than being blown out of an airplane.
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