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Frontier is ok to me. Not the best but certainly not the worst. $37 each way from Vegas to Tampa was the best deal. Of course, I paid an extra 25 for a seat.
They were definitely the best when my dad passed away. I got the call at 3pm Vegas time. The other airlines were at least $800 to fly one way to Cleveland on the same day. Frontier was $89.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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each of the econo carriers seem to have their issues, but are a great benefit to budget travelers.
As an early retiree... (hint: no income and many yrs to SS) I use all / best pricing.
Frontier last week for a $70 2500 mile red-eye. (they wanted $75 to 'add my name / middle initial to reservation to qualify for TSA-pre (I didn't comply, TSA-pre was closed after 7pm anyway for red-eye schedule...)
Spirit when they offer minimal pricing and I can afford to lose the ticket if I cancel. (loved the $19.90 1500 mile flights to San Diego = SUN!!!) left at 5 AM, returned at 1 AM, no need for car / hotel / taxi in SAN.
Jet-blue is great for red-eyes from left coast to east coast
rules:... on the discount fares, I do NOT bring luggage bigger than 'free' (underseat).
I board VERY LAST and take the seat / row I prefer.
Bring food / water,
and if staying a few days... wear 2 - 3 sets of clothes while boarding.
I will probably get crap for saying this........but I actually like Southwest!
I complain about SWA some, but I keep flying it... the positives outweigh the negatives.
I'd like to have assigned seats, but the absence of change fees is more important.
I've flown on a decent chunk of foreign airlines: TAM Brasil, Aerolineas Argentinas, China Southern, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Thai Airways, and Air Macau. All of them blow anything any US carrier has to offer out of the water. I flew from Beijing to Shanghai (a roughly 2 hour flight) on China Eastern, and it was on a Boeing 767 with the most leg room I've ever seen on any flight. They even served us a full meal! The flight attendants are so much more attentive and friendly, the food is better, and leg room is generally more liberal.
My own personal opinion on US carriers.
Good- JetBlue, Delta
Okay(ish)- American, United
Bad- Southwest (I absolutely hate their open-seating and their A/B/C lines which no one respects).
Terrible- Frontier, Spirit, Allegiant, or any other bottom of the barrel Ultra Low Cost Carrier. I've never flown on one but their reputation for terrible service is pretty universally accepted.
I've never flown Virgin America or Alaska, but have heard good things about them. Living in Philadelphia, I end up having to fly American most of the time, and while they aren't anything special, they aren't terrible either.
Though given the choice between a US carrier and a foreign one, I'll always go with the foreign one as long as the price point isn't considerably higher.
Best airline is one that prevents death of pets while on the trip....
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(I didn't comply, TSA-pre was closed after 7pm anyway for red-eye schedule...)
