I was flying back from the holidays using some point rewards I had saved up on JetBlue. As fate would have it, the DirectTV system wasn't working on that flight. It was on the longest leg so I was bummed. On the other hand it was a redeye flight and at least I had my iPod with me. Still, it would have been nice to do some channel surfing whilst trapped in my seat for 5 hours. I hardly channel surf or watch TV at home, thanks to TiVo of course. I discovered some cool programs on flights on JetBlue before. Not many days after I received an email from them, saying I have something like a $15 credit with them now because I was on a flight where the TV wasn't working. Now it's not a big deal but that little bit of customer service made a big impression. I really like JetBlue.
I mean... I REALLY like JetBlue. I think they're one of those companies that so far has done things right. If not right, then at least better than the others. I fly with them as often as I can, when convenient. Couple of things I like about them:
- There's no first class seating.
But rather than making the whole plane super cramped, they've eliminated some seats and spread out the leg room amongst the remaining, making all of the cabin a bit closer to business-class than the normal economy seating you'd find on most carriers. Since I hardly ever fly first class, this is a noticeable improvement for me.
- DirectTV and each seat has its own screen.
Again, one step closer to business class. On other carriers, I was never in a seat that had a good view of the cabin screens, and since I didn't like the fixed selection most of the time, I got into the practice of not watching the screens on airlines. The individual controllable screens on the other hand are pretty cool and help pass the time.
- So far, very good service.
They've projected an image of an upper scale discount airline and so far it shows. They provide a good image. I've never had a problem with them. The reservation system is nice and convenient. Their planes still look new and fairly clean.
Basically, I think they should rule the airways. They're just much more comfortable than the other airlines I've been on, even the nice and pricier ones. There are only two issues I have with them, one of which is resolvable in time, and the other I fear will lead me to not fly them much anymore.
The biggest woe I had with them at first was that they weren't at enough airports. I couldn't easily fly from Boston to San Diego until maybe a year and a half ago. Before, they didn't have a means of connecting flights so I'd have to book two legs separately but I'd have to check out and in again. They didn't have a direct flight (still don't). Now they at least have some connections so I can fly on one itinerary. But their network is still not fully connected. That should change in time.
Which means 1 thing: Their prices are starting to rise. When they first came out, they were on the discount side of the airline prices. Since they've become more popular I've noticed that they're not the cheapest around anymore, sadly, but they haven't yet gone the route of absurdly ridiculous for their high demand flights. Too much for me to pay still for some time frames but I've seen much worse.
And one pet peeve: Reward points. Their points expire in a year, as most due, and are rigged so that they require just 1 to 2 more flights more than I would normally take in a year, as most do. Plus their points are isolated; can't use generic points from, say, Diners Club.
I have some mixed feelings about airmiles and that ilk in general. I can see they have their place for frequent fliers, business travelers, and people with an expense account. The purpose is to make them keep using the same airlines. But the average flier can hardly ever take advantage of them, and if they could it takes years and it being a good deal is illusory. Paper napkin calculations say that I save more just looking for the cheapest flight on different airlines than restricting myself to one airline, same with cash-back credit-cards versus ones that let you accumulate airmiles. So since it doesn't benefit me, I don't really like them and I'd rather they compete with just the price and service than incentives. My tune would probably change if I was a business traveler though.
But as far as domestic flights go, JetBlue still rules in my book compared to the others. For international flights, I think the best I've been on was Japan Air. I think Japan really has the customer service thing down in general. Couldn't tell you what their workers think of it (I could guess) but from my point of view it's a good thing.
6 comments:
T,
A co-worker told me about JetBlue and how reasonable there prices are. The next time we're flying domestic I'll check them out.
I used to like Southwest a lot because they were quick and cheap (but dirty) and they used to always have kickass promotions like friends fly free and double credit flying out of oakland which worked for me. Were I out west I'd use them a lot, but can't really use them out here. I don't ever want to fly out on southwest from san jose ever again though
50 pounds? What happened to your ratatouille and all that other healthful cooking? or have the DND table munchies taken their toll?
Hotfudge has always been the traveler, so I let her make the reservations...
But what have I noticed in my few plane trips?
Whenever exiting a plane and passing thru the first-class section, the first-class section always looks like a tornado swept thru it. As if the people who fly first-class have paid for the right to be dirty, filthy pigs...
Must always, always, always, always, always try to get an aisle seat. Screw the window. I want easy access to the aisle for bathroom or general stretching purposes. I've always hated having to climb over or squeeze by a total stranger just to get to the aisle. I'd rather climb over HotFudge.
Need wider aisles to get past serving cart. Again, one never knows when Mother Nature will come a-calling. What is the logic at making the serving cart literally the width of the aisle? With no room to squeeze by, a passenger must either wait until everybody's been served, or the flight attendant must push/pull the cart all the way to one of the ends in order for a passenger to get by.
The flight to Australia was torture. I think the flight was over 10 hours. HotFudge and I were in the center, and we had people on both sides. The seats were cramped, and there wasn't much leg room... Oh, the pain... PAAAAAIIIIINNNNN... Weep... for the children...
Entertainment has never played a big factor for me since I bring my own (eg minidisc, books, sudoku, moleskine, etc). I do recall HotFudge's cousin talking about Japanese planes having video games available to passengers. Not the simple card games, but the fast-paced, shoot-em-up style games. Now that sounds pretty cool...
wow, ifstag!!!
that's more than i gained...
when are you due? ;)
Screg, Oh and lets not forget the restroom. Always, always, always, if possible request a seat not so close to a restroom. I will never forget my long, torturous flight to London and was seated next to a restroom. Someone went in the bathroom and really did a number. I would plug-up my nose as long as I could stand it and breathe through my mouth. I'll never forget that flight.
Thane, I remember when Southwest had all those offers; I always went with them when flying to LA & SF. When booking a flight, I usually go with the cheapest price, so with frequent flyer miles I'm glad that airlines are starting to merge so you'll have more options.
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