I'll say upfront that I'm a 1K on United which means I fly 100,000 miles every year (well, at least the past three years). Today, however I'm stuck on an American flight to Chicago (it was MUCH cheaper, so I guess I can't complain too much. Wait a minute. Yes I can). Here are some observations as to why I don't like American:
-Their web site/online check in stinks. I entered my name and record locater and that didn't work. Then I logged on and went to "my itineraries" and that didn't work. Finally I went and found the email telling me to check in online. That led me to a link that did work.
-MD80s are really crappy airplanes. No wonder MD got bought out by Boeing. An MD80 is significantly worse than a 737. The 2-3 configuration means that there is a lot less overhead bin space especially if people carry on their roll-aboards (which everyone does of course).
-American has no leg room. Coach on United isn't that bad if you can get in Economy plus. 4 inches never mattered so much. I'm 6'4". I need all the space I can get. Sitting in American my knees hit the top of the seat in front of me.
-No pillows and very few blankets on American. Even Northwest, the worst airline in the modern world has the option of purchasing a pillow. And the head rests in American are too low. On United you can adjust the head rest. The seat back only goes up to my shoulders here.
-No movies on American. Not that I care about this a ton, but I'm sure if I traveled with kids I would care.
-No free snacks on American. On a 4 hour flight to Chicago they only give you drinks for free. You can buy a cookie, chips OR a 3 musketeers bar for $3 EACH. That's right, one 3 musketeers bar for $3! When I made a comment to the flight attendant asking about any free snacks (pretzels maybe?) she gave me some lecture about how airlines don't give meals anymore. I explained that I fly about 100K miles/year on United and am well aware of the meals situation, but I didn't know American's policies. She then asked me if United was making a profit. I bit my tongue at that point. The amazing thing is that she said American DOES give snacks -- only on short flights. So they'll give you a bag of peanuts flying to LA, but not to Chicago? I need a snack less on a shorter flight. Unless that's just to encourage me to pay them $3 for their 3 musketeers bar. Seems like extortion to me.
The only thing I like about American is that they have power outlets in Coach. Last week I flew a 757 to Chicago on United in First and they didn't have power outlets (even in First class, that's absurd). That's pretty annoying. Still, the balance is strongly in United's favor. Especially from a seat comfort standpoint.
