Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Delta or US Airways

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Posted by Jake Spell (Member # 5294) on 03-31-2010, 02:04 AM:

I am planning a trip to NYC and will take either Delta or US as they have the same prices and both carriers are using regional jets. So is there really any difference between the two airlines?

Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 03-31-2010, 07:05 AM:

Given the choice between the two I would choose Delta....period.

Don

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 03-31-2010, 08:05 AM:

When I was working in Florida, I told my travel agent to try to only use Delta. My purpose was for the sky miles. Never had any problems with them. I've flown US many times and never had any problems with them either. It should be a fairly short flight, are the flights nonstop or do you have a layover. Thats really the only thing that I would be looking at.

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 03-31-2010, 09:04 AM:

I like to fly Delta. The 777 is a very cool aircraft. [thumbsup]

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 03-31-2010, 09:25 AM:

Delta has been a horror almost every time I or anyone else I know fly it. If you are flying straight to or from Atlanta, it is probably great. If you have to take their regional feeders anywhere, good luck to you.

Over at the Consumerist web-site, they are doing the March Madness worse company brackets. It's US Air v Delta, so it looks as if you are screwed either way.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 03-31-2010, 09:50 AM:

Outside of price and schedules, I'm not sure that it makes much difference. If you care about the type of aircraft (some are more comfortable than others or have more space for carry-on bags), that may matter to you. Policies on checked bags may also make a difference if you plan to check anything. Otherwise, all US-based airlines seem to suck pretty much equally.

The only airline that I actively dislike more than others is Southwest, as they have a no-assigned-seats policy (some people like this; I don't). On the other hand, they also have the most reasonable ticket exchange policy in case a trip needs to be re-scheduled.

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 03-31-2010, 10:09 AM:

I've no experience of either; the only airlines I've flown with, at least since 1974, are Continental and Virgin. Of the two I'd say Continental are about as non-bad as they could be, flying's never going to be a pleasant way to travel, and Virgin were quite a long way behind.

I agree with Bill about the 777, it's the best plane I've flown on, but do they use them on domestic flights? I'd put the 767 and an Airbus of similar size (340 was it?) equal 2nd, 757 3rd, and 747 last.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 03-31-2010, 11:11 AM:

My buddy Jim Schiffer has worked for Delta since the early '90s. He's one of their mechanics in the Atlanta airport. He's had nothing but good things to say about that company, although he did tell me once that DELTA stands for "Doesn't Ever Leave The Airport." [Big Grin]

Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 03-31-2010, 12:10 PM:

What regional jet models do you have to choose from. The old 50 seat CRJ-200's that Delta has are horrible. The windows are set way too low and are uncomfortable to look out of.

The CRJ-700 and CRJ-900 are much better. I think US Air uses some of the new EMB170 or 175 RJ's. Those are pretty nice. The old embraer regional jets that I think only American Eagle still uses are great if travelling alone because the seating config is 1-2 so you get a window and aisle seat at once.

Other than that I've had bad experiences on both airlines recently. Delta gave away our seats that were reserved for months and stuck us in the very back next to the engine and bathroom on a regional jet. 2 flights ago on US airways we had a "precautionary" landing due to a smoke alarm in the avionics bay. I guess that could happen on any airline. Nothing like decending fast enough that you actually feel like you are dropping and then making crazy S-turns over Tampa Bay to slow down enough to land.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 03-31-2010, 12:23 PM:

I actually was pleasently surprised when i flew in and out Omaha on delta

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 03-31-2010, 12:28 PM:

quote: Gordon McLeod
i flew in and out Omaha on delta

What were you doing in Omaha [uhoh]

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 03-31-2010, 02:50 PM:

quote: Richard Hamilton
What were you doing in Omaha

Probably hatching an evil plot with STS to take over the world... [Big Grin]

As to Delta vis-a-vis US Airways mainline, personally I prefer Delta. As for regionals, I've never flown on one, so can't say anything there, other than noting that even though the aircraft may have a name like Delta or US Airways painted on it, you're actually flying on a separate company's service (in this case and route probably Colgan or Pinnacle for US Airways, Comair or ASA for Delta).

Posted by Jake Spell (Member # 5294) on 03-31-2010, 03:26 PM:

Thanks for the input!! All flights are either a Canadair CJ(50 seater) or an Embraer EMB-145(50 seater). All flights are nonstop into La Guardia regional.

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 03-31-2010, 03:44 PM:

The Delta water shuttle is no longer running. That would have been the decision maker for me because it provided an easy way in/out of Manhattan. Therefore, flying into LGA now would be a toss-up for me.

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 03-31-2010, 06:02 PM:

Fly whichever one has the hottest stewardesses. Ive never flown Delta, but US Airways stewardesses aren't that great (except for my ex lol)

Posted by Bruce Hansen (Member # 281) on 03-31-2010, 07:33 PM:

I have had nothing but problems with US Air. Delta is beter, but not great. The have all gotten into this: we are the only game in town, and you will take what we give you, kind of crap.

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 03-31-2010, 07:55 PM:

US Airways has the meanest corporate culture of any airline I've ever flown. It comes from the very top and works its way on down to an unhappy workforce. Just try to get a break from them.

I hated flying them along the Eastern seaboard, but there was little choice.

They bought out PSA Airlines years ago when PSA was the leading shuttle airline on the West Coast. Great staff, happy workers etc., and they ran the business down to nothing and this is how Southwest became the leading airline on the West Coast.

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 03-31-2010, 09:05 PM:

That's why many airline people make the distinction between the old "US Air" and the current "US Airways". I've known and worked with quite a few former "US Air" people and they all have nice memories of working there. Despite the old joke, "US Air stands for 'Unfortunately Still Allegheny In Reality'", apparently both old lines were good ones to work for.

I've not heard many, or even any, good things about working for the current "US Airways" with its former "America West" (America Worst) management calling the shots.

I too miss PSA and their "Grinning Birds." My first airplane ride was on a PSA Electra II (Lockheed L-188) flying LAX to SFO back around 1961 or so.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 04-01-2010, 06:11 AM:

Oddly enough...I used to love America West. Probably got the most 1st class upgrades from them too!

I've always been indifferent to US Scare...er air. When going to ShoWest, this year, I tried to book on my traditional air line AW (now US Air)...my traditional flight is no longer in their roster (either way). To stay with them I would have had to add to my flight time considerably and fly in hours that were not convenient. Also, you can take your separate charge for luggage and shove it.

After holding out from Southwest for a long time because I despise their lottery system of assigning boarding numbers (making a connecting flight normally got you a position on a rope ladder hanging off the back of the plane)...I gave them another shot. Wow...what a hassle-free experience from start to finish. Yeah, they still have the number thing, BUT...I did get a non-stop and I was able, for $10 to get an early check-in that put me in the top 30 people each way so I effectively got my choice of seat...probably more so than in a traditional "book your seat" airline. The flight crew was a blast too.

Steve

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 04-02-2010, 03:08 PM:

quote: Steve Guttag
The flight crew was a blast too.

Yes! And I've been told they work for peanuts!