What Airline In The US To Choose?

[Garnet Canuck]

I am considering flying out of the US when I travel to Italy in the spring. The main airlines that fly out the the airport I am considering are Delta, US Airways, and American Airlines. I'm just looking for opinions as to what airline is better (ie, service, food, leg room, etc). Thanks in advance.

[Oxanar]

I think the main thing to consider is a carrier's overseas options even though you may be departing out of the US. I've only flown Delta and American overseas so I can't compare US Airways. And honestly the best service and leg room I've had on an overseas flight came 1st from Singapore Air, 2nd from British and 3rd from United. In fact service and US Carrier overseas flights really shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath. So don't get your hopes up there. I've flown coach, literally the very back of the bus row, on a Delta flight from New York to Mumbai. The flight was ok, legroom was passable, service was moderately passable. I'm 6 foot tall to put that in perspective.

Since this flight is going to Italy, try to see if you can find a British Airways flight. I've done the New York to Heathrow trip a few times and have been pleased with both of the things you want as requirements for the flight. But I'm not sure if BA is an option for you, just relating that I would recommend them.

Traveling the opposite way, Singapore Air was the best experience I've had in an Overseas flight fwiw.

[MJION]

Out of those choices I would fly AA.
However I did just recently fly Continental and was really impressed, so maybe check and see if you have the option...
They went above and beyond any other airline I have flown..

PS- for leg room book the emergency isles or front rows....

[Garnet Canuck]

Originally Posted by Oxanar

I think the main thing to consider is a carrier's overseas options even though you may be departing out of the US. I've only flown Delta and American overseas so I can't compare US Airways. And honestly the best service and leg room I've had on an overseas flight came 1st from Singapore Air, 2nd from British and 3rd from United. In fact service and US Carrier overseas flights really shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath. So don't get your hopes up there. I've flown coach, literally the very back of the bus row, on a Delta flight from New York to Mumbai. The flight was ok, legroom was passable, service was moderately passable. I'm 6 foot tall to put that in perspective.

Since this flight is going to Italy, try to see if you can find a British Airways flight. I've done the New York to Heathrow trip a few times and have been pleased with both of the things you want as requirements for the flight. But I'm not sure if BA is an option for you, just relating that I would recommend them.

Traveling the opposite way, Singapore Air was the best experience I've had in an Overseas flight fwiw.

Thanks Neal, I appreciate the response. Unfortunately, I am a little handcuffed when it comes to the airlines I can choose from my area. My choices is either Air Canada from my hometown or the three US airlines from a Maine airport 3.5 hours away. The cost is somewhat cheaper from Maine hence my reason for investigating this avenue. I am taking my daughter to Italy with us (whom will be 3 years old at the time) so I just want to make sure we book an airline with great service, food, and some decent leg room.

[Garnet Canuck]

Originally Posted by MJION

Out of those choices I would fly AA.
However I did just recently fly Continental and was really impressed, so maybe check and see if you have the option...
They went above and beyond any other airline I have flown..

PS- for leg room book the emergency isles or front rows....

So AA was pretty decent? Ever flown international with them?

[SpudRacer]

Have you seen United's First Class Suite? I love this. No more fat lady oozing over into my space. No more chatty weird guy next to me. They are offering it on domestic and international flights. Roughly half their fleet has been converted to offer this service.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://elitechoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/united-airlines-first-class-suite2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://elitechoice.org/2008/05/15/luxury-has-a-new-address-via-united-airlines-first-class-suite/&h=338&w=450&sz=143&tbnid=B-ApwcFl1_s5vM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dunited%2Bairlines%2Bfirst%2Bclass&usg =__LSxHfxrBK416taicKpVXiWnnKNg=&ei=HAaQSr_CFc2_lAf c3ozCDA&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=2&ct=image

[Joaquin03]

Shane, see if British Airways flies out of Maine. I had a great business class flight on the way to Milan. Hit me up on PM for more details.

[nghiars]

isnt AA and US airways the same company now?

[DiamondGCoupe]

My dad just flew Alitalia and said it was a horrible airline.

[darnelled]

I've used Delta to fly Atlanta-> Madrid twice- Once coach and once first class. Both trips went perfectly.

I also used Continental to fly Nashville-> Cancun twice with no issues.

[MJION]

Originally Posted by Garnet Canuck

So AA was pretty decent? Ever flown international with them?

Yes, flew AA round trip to Costa Rica.
The flight was late, so we had a delay in FL for the night they paid for the room since it was their fault.

Another time I flew AA there was a weather delay had to spend the night in FL again, they gave us a discounted rate on a hotel since they could not be held responsible for the delay..

Overall we were satisfied with the service I would reccomend...

[Garnet Canuck]

Originally Posted by SpudRacer

Have you seen United's First Class Suite? I love this. No more fat lady oozing over into my space. No more chatty weird guy next to me. They are offering it on domestic and international flights. Roughly half their fleet has been converted to offer this service.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://elitechoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/united-airlines-first-class-suite2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://elitechoice.org/2008/05/15/luxury-has-a-new-address-via-united-airlines-first-class-suite/&h=338&w=450&sz=143&tbnid=B-ApwcFl1_s5vM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dunited%2Bairlines%2Bfirst%2Bclass&usg =__LSxHfxrBK416taicKpVXiWnnKNg=&ei=HAaQSr_CFc2_lAf c3ozCDA&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=2&ct=image

Wow, that looks awesome. I could definitely get used to that!!

[Garnet Canuck]

Originally Posted by MJION

Yes, flew AA round trip to Costa Rica.
The flight was late, so we had a delay in FL for the night they paid for the room since it was their fault.

Another time I flew AA there was a weather delay had to spend the night in FL again, they gave us a discounted rate on a hotel since they could not be held responsible for the delay..

Overall we were satisfied with the service I would reccomend...

Good stuff, thanks for the info!

[Garnet Canuck]

Originally Posted by Joaquin03

Shane, see if British Airways flies out of Maine. I had a great business class flight on the way to Milan. Hit me up on PM for more details.

Unfortunately, BA doesn't fly out of the airport in Maine that I was looking at. If I go further south in Maine to Portland, Lufthansa, Air France, Austrian Airlines and KLM are options.

[God-speed]

Flown Delta, Cont, AA, and UA... I prefer Delta and Cont over AA and UA.

But that also goes to say, "I ain't going if it ain't Boeing"...look at my sig
I prefer to stay on Boeing aircrafts over Airbus. But that's just me.