re: No.1 Airline for 2016

Switched over from Delta to American about a year ago for all flights. Mainly because the area I'm located in, American is simply half the price for most destinations. They've been great to me thus far.

I've had a couple bad experiences, once where my laptop was smashed by a lady reclining her seat. I was livid, customer service basically told me American does not cover carry-on luggage, but it was due to a faulty design on American's seats. I had plenty of pictures displaying this and emailed Americans Customer and Relations VP (Sean Bentel, sean.bentel@AA.com) and they credited my account 12,500 miles, AND had a technician come to my home to fix my laptop. If it was completely broken they said they would have it replaced. Tech came, took about 15 minutes, and I was good to go, the hard drive was knocked off of its' mount.

The second was my most recent trip, where I was sitting next to an EXTREMELY overweight passenger. Instead of forcing him to buy two seats, which is American's policy when two seats are not readily available on the flight, they put him in the Exit row next to me. This passenger was so large he could not even put the arm rest down between us. I politely get up, and quietly ask the flight attendant to come to the back of the plane so I can discuss something with him, as to not do it in front of the overweight passenger. The flight attendant literally yells at me to get back in my seat, and that if I would like to move it would have to be after take-off for "weight and balance issues". Needless to say, this did not make me happy. After a brief exchange, of somewhat heated words, with the flight attendant, I told him that if the pilot would like to come speak with me on weight and balance issues he could find me in the far back seat, where I would be moving. I was quite upset that an employee would not take the time to listen to what I had to say, then literally yell at me in-front of a full plane of passengers. Once again, I go to customer service, they basically tell me to frick off, and once again I email Sean Bentel, and his executive assistant called me the very next day apologizing for the experience, and offered me one upgrade to business class/first class, whichever was available, and credited my account miles. She also made me aware that she had already spoken with the attendant's manager and that he was being dealt with internally. I'm sure nothing happened to him, but it's the thought that counts, right? haha

In both of my letters I was extremely courteous and explained how I switched my loyalty from Delta to American a year ago, have already attained status, and that this is not the way to treat a new, loyal customer of your business. These were both incredibly shitty experiences, but American's customer service (even if it was at the top of the food chain) really went the extra mile for me. That more than makes up for those experiences, in my opinion. When something went wrong, they did what they could to make it right and keep my flying American. Far from the "best", but they still have my domestic, and some international, loyalty.

Southwest is great, but, with limited airports, it's not feasible for me.

Spirit has to be above and beyond the worst carrier. If you fly light, and they have a direct to your destination, they aren't bad, but I've gotten too spoiled with luxuries on non-budget carriers. The demographic that flies spirit is also a completely different set of people than you see on other carriers. If you do fly spirit, suck it up and pay the 35 bucks for the "big seat", or volunteer for an exit row upon arrival to your gate.

Delta was also always great to me, but the price difference in the area I'm in just did not make it worth it for me to continue flying with them. Overall, they are probably the best domestic carrier.

Allegiant is the best budget carrier, IMO. Wish they had more airports, and destinations, but when I can catch a flight somewhere with them, I normally do.