Last week's Consumer Watch column discussed frequent-flyer award travel. Today centers around the "best" coach class - or, perhaps, as SmarterTravel.com reminds us, the least worse - airlines in the world. (Readers who don't need to pinch pennies may move on to other pages of this newspaper.)
Ellen Phillips* JetBlue wins the best overall airline in all of North America, according to Smarter Travel's resident expert Ed Perkins. Its extra legroom beats competitors, the checked bag fee is less than most other frenemies, and its Airbus planes are an inch wider than on others' 737s. (Yeah, a whole inch, but it's better than nothing.) Finally, JetBlue's satellite-based Wi-Fi is free at slower speeds but bumps up to only $9 to stream your choice of movies. The airline also possesses the best extra-legroom in North America. The price is capped at $90 for a transcontinental flight and is better priced than its direct competitor for legroom, Virgin America. Plus, the price difference is enormous: V.A. limits their seats to bulkhead and exit rows, which costs more than three times over. If fliers just want additional room to use a tablet, for example, they may wish to go with JetBlue.
* The best overall coach class in North America, Southwest, charges the best standard baggage fee around - none! Just think: two checked bags at no extra charge and, if a passenger must change his ticket, the airline doesn't penalize the customer. Other big airlines charge a minimum of $25 per bag so Southwest's belief that a satisfied customer flies again and again makes it the prize. Moreover, while the airline doesn't allow advance-assignment boarding, it does permit up to 24-hour online advance check in; then all passengers simply line up and board by number. Southwest wins again for best seniors' coach class. Years ago, airlines offered reduced senior fares; but then their greed for the almighty dollar stuck out its ugly palm and these fees went the way of crystal goblets and warm cashews in first class. On the other hand, Southwest understands the power of Boomers; if the company's initial lowest "Wanna get Away" fares for any age sell out or become unavailable less than a week in advance, Southwest deals its 65-and-over fee that normally falls lower than remaining any-age fares.
The most exciting airline is Virgin America, the sister branch of Virgin Atlantic, where bells and whistles abound. According to Smarter Travel, V.A.'s "flashy décor, well-trained flight attendants, top inflight technology, and general flair" beats the rest of its coach-class competitors.
The roomiest seat award goes to japan Airlines' Sky Wider economy seats. Not only are they the most generous seats in any fleet that flies intercontinental, but also the planes contain only eight seats across in its 787's and nine across in its 777's, each of which is almost two inches wider than their rivals'. The seat pitch is a nice 34-inch and its onboard catering rates highly among passengers. Economy class traveler seats contain single 10-inch screens to enjoy and the newer planes provide free satellite-based Wi-Fi. (Like JAL, Turkish Airlines also contains nine-across seating in its 777's. Too, the latter's onboard service rates high marks, as does Swiss Air.)
Most cost-conscious for business class seating belongs to France's La Compagnie. The airline charges about $1,200 for a nonstop round-trip summer flight between New York and Paris for a crowded and, from what I read, pretty uncomfortable economy class. On the other hand, fork over three hundred more bucks and move up to an angle-flat business-class seat (and service!). Offering the best business-class package with coach prices, La Compagnie, which flies from Newark to London/Luton and Paris/DeGaulle, the fare is currently just about $1,000 less than Air France's premium economy.
The only low-fare mainline service plan is Allegiant. Although many believe it's a third-rate comfort level, Allegiant makes Smarter Travel's list because it brings this specific service to dozens of communities. Otherwise, travelers must depend upon regional flights and endure the same-old, same-old hassles.
Embraer (series 170/175/190/195), whereas technically not an airline, is the best plane for coach class short flights. Short haul flights with two-by-two seating makes for a much more pleasant ride. Airlines that "embrace" the Embraer include Delta, United, and Alaska Airlines, among others.
Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com.