So, I’ve been asked a couple of times about airlines - which ones are great, which ones I’d sooner carve all my ex-boyfriends initials into my flesh with a dull pocketknife than board ever again. And although technically, the worst problems I’ve ever experienced flying the friendly skies were things like delays and flight cancellations, I’ve had a few less-than-comfortable flights, and a few stellar flights.

Iberia Airlines (to duh, Iberia). Less-than-comfortable. Remember how American Airlines moved all their seats to make more room in coach and it’s still too small for anyone taller than five-foot-six? Well, in my experience, Iberia Airlines is not only unaccommodating to over 5′ 6″ travelers, it wants to punish them. And shame them into more cardio. Lordy, those seats were tiny. The staff wasn’t all that inclined toward charm, either. They refused to serve my 30-year-old travel mate a glass of wine, until she’d gone to great lengths to get her passport from the cramped under-seat stowage and proved her age. Lots of silliness over a glass of wine. Lost luggage. Complete chaos at connections. You see where I’m going with this.

Ryanair. For flights inside of Europe, it’s about as cheap as they come… unless your bag is heavy. Then prepare to be swashbuckled. Friggin’ hustlers, I tell you.

Spirit Air (US to Caribbean, Puerto Rico, BAHAMALANDIA!). Cheap. Feels like you’re flying in a school bus.

British Airways. I kind of really love these guys. Every experience has been a good one, and somehow I always end up with a free cocktail. Or three.

American Airlines. My preferred carrier, mostly because if something crappy happens, they throw frequent flier miles at me and make it allllll better. Also, that one time I cried like a six-year-old because my flight kept getting canceled and I thought I was going to miss my Mom’s wedding, they were really, super nice about it.

What about you? And recommendations or warnings?

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 | general