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September 26, 2005

Why the big US Airlines suck

You all know that I love Southwest. They are nice and funny and I get an occasional free drink out of them.

This trip, I flew Virgin Atlantic from Newark to Heathrow - the airline is owned by Virgin Records. The service, amenities and comfort was out of this world.

I flew American Airlines from Chicago to Heathrow last May. The AA crew was rude, unkind, picky and wouldn't let us get up except to go to the bathroom. The entertainment was very limited. The food sucked. It was obvious that the flight crew had an interest only in keeping us seated for the entire trip.

Oh, my God - Virgin Airlines is just the opposite.
Here are my comparisons:

AA has a lot of grumpy women flight attendants.
Virgin has gorgeous, friendly and willing to help flight attendants.

AA charges $5 for a beer.
Virgin does not charge for beer or drinks - even in Economy (what I flew).

AA does everything possible to keep travelers in their seats.
Virgin goes to great lengths on a video to suggest that you get up and walk and exercise to keep yourself healthy.

AA food was nasty.
Virgin's meals were well-balanced, healthful and fresh and good. They served a glass of wine with dinner.
They had key lime cheesecake for dessert.

AA flight attendants got mad at me for getting up to go find them to ask for a drink of water.
Virgin flight attendants showed me where the Orange juice and water pitchers were in the galley and told me to help myself.

AA does not have enough bathrooms in economy.
Virgin has at least twice as many bathrooms in economy.

AA cost the same for that particular trip.

Virgin has a CEO who wants to make traveling fun.
AA would just as soon give us all knock out pills for the duration.

I think it would be so cool if Virgin and Southwest could have an alliance so I could fly Southwest to a hub where Virgin would then fly me to wherever I want to go.

The US airline industry that flies abroad should be ashamed of themselves.

Posted by Beth at September 26, 2005 02:13 PM