So, how excited are you about air fares and the actual flying part of the trip?

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

For a while, I've been doing some research on airfares out of PHX, and am seeing what almost appears to be price fixing....no competition at all, and on average, higher fares throughout the year.

What is it like from your home airport?

And once you find the fare, are you really looking forward to being in the plane? Or have you found that the experience of flying is more and more akin to being treated worse than cattle in a cattle train?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I hate the plane ride - so uncomfortable to fly coach - business/first is what all the seats ought to be like. I also don't do well with time changes - perhaps another thread topic.

I do love getting great fares by booking ahead, but I have yet to figure out how to game the FF system.

I always love being able to take a bump, especially when the substitute flight comes with first class seats

[mdurette Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mdurette]

We are loyal Southwest flyers. I have noticed their prices have been higher in the past.

I have now mastered their reward system and out of the 4 trips we have take/will take this year - my family of 3 hasn't paid for a flight yet. January is almost covered to.

I don't mind the flights - we typcially take short trips - no more than 3 hours in the air. Have never had a real delay worth mentioning or a flight cancelled. Guess that is why we are loyal to SW!

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

I don't like flying period. I don't like the lines and waiting at the airport and I don't like being in the plane even in first class. I would rather take a train if it will get me there. I am NOT looking forward to our flight to New York next month.

[glypnirsgirl Member Find all posts View Profile Close glypnirsgirl]

I love to fly!

I love to fly! I love getting to the airport about 2 hours early. Ian and I go through security, then sit and watch the planes. We might go and get a bite to eat. Sit and read our books. Then we get on the plane. About half the time I fall asleep before we are in the air. And I stay asleep until we begin our descent. The other half of the time, Ian and I visit with each other. We usually spend the time on the way to the trip discussing the final details of what we are going to do. On the way home, we plan our next vacation.

elaine

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

For a while, I've been doing some research on airfares out of PHX, and am seeing what almost appears to be price fixing....no competition at all, and on average, higher fares throughout the year.

What is it like from your home airport?

And once you find the fare, are you really looking forward to being in the plane? Or have you found that the experience of flying is more and more akin to being treated worse than cattle in a cattle train?

We're fortunate in that I have three airports within a 3 hour drive of our home. Fare's vary from carrier to carrier, sometimes significantly.

Do I look forward to flying? About as much as I look forward to pulling my own teeth with a pair of pliers. Flying has become such a PIA we're starting to look for more vacations within driving distance. Next year we'll drive to three and fly to three. I'm trying to keep it that way for 2012 as well.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

We're fortunate in that I have three airports within a 3 hour drive of our home. Fare's vary from carrier to carrier, sometimes significantly.

Do I look forward to flying? About as much as I look forward to pulling my own teeth with a pair of pliers. Flying has become such a PIA we're starting to look for more vacations within driving distance. Next year we'll drive to three and fly to three. I'm trying to keep it that way for 2012 as well.

I am with you. After our trip to New York next month all our trips will be within easy driving distance. The only exception is to visit our grandchildren who live in Texas at this time. Of course being retired, we have all the time in the world so we frequently take 2-3 days to drive just 500 miles.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

What you are seeing with fares is a result of airline mergers. Thank the Justice Department!

RyanAir has talked about started TATL service and US domestic service. Once they do, then we will have real competition again.

As to flying, as long as I can get on a full sized plane for the domestic legs, I am fine. When I flew NW, I had almost 100% domestic upgrades to 1st, which is a comfortable way to fly, and so far with CO I am at 100%, too on full sized aircraft. The problem with CO is too many little planes on the routes I fly, so no upgrades on them. With the European legacy carriers, I also get free alcohol on the intra-Europe legs which is nice.

[ronandjoan Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ronandjoan]

People sure differ in their feelings!

My brother's attitude has helped me: he flies a lot and says, I just give my body to the airlines. That thinking does help to just relax, read my book....

We do find that we are more comfortable with airline companies which we are most familiar with...so we usually just fly one airline.

[mpizza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mpizza]

I love to fly! I love getting to the airport about 2 hours early. Ian and I go through security, then sit and watch the planes. We might go and get a bite to eat. Sit and read our books. Then we get on the plane. About half the time I fall asleep before we are in the air. And I stay asleep until we begin our descent. The other half of the time, Ian and I visit with each other. We usually spend the time on the way to the trip discussing the final details of what we are going to do. On the way home, we plan our next vacation.

elaine

You and I are twins!

Maria

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

I used to love to fly. It meant the start of a great vacation. My excitement started the minute I walked into the airport.

Now I just chalk it up to an inconvenience I must endure before arriving at my destination. Have to be too picky on what and how I pack. Also find that I can't always understand the announcements made at the airport, but that may be my hearing due to ageing.


I love to people watch so that enjoyment is still there. I'm just grateful that I'm still able to travel.

[grest Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close grest]

I'm not crazy about flying, but it generally means vacation, so that's a bonus. And we have several airports to choose from. However, when I go home to Maine it gets more difficult and expensive a lot of the time, sad to say.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I WISH I could sleep on planes, that would make a world of difference in how I felt about the trip! And I am not a nervous flyer (not at all), just not a good sleeper.

[vkrn Member Find all posts View Profile Close vkrn]

I hate the hassle of flying. Going thru security. Waiting. Nothing to eat. Paying for a bag is the pits. I don't mind the flight at all. I try to upgrade to Business class when possible. Air Tran allows that often.

[Dori Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dori]

We too are loyal SW travellers. We drive 2-3 hours from Toronto to Buffalo, to take advantage of their fares. I love the flexibility of their system, whereby we can change or cancel flights with no fees and no penalty. As an aside, I just booked 2 return tickets to Seoul for $2000 with United, and if we cancel, we lose the whole amount!

We have, on several occasions, been voluntarily bumped on SW and Air Tran. We love it when this happens!

Dori