For those of you who aren’t frequent fliers like I am, I have compiled a list of airlines that are cheaper, how to take advantage of deals, when to book, how to get a free flight, and also rankings of airlines.

Rankings: (1-5 stars, 5 being the best) DOMESTIC Only

-US Airways: Well they are based in Charlotte and Philly and now Phoenix, so you will have a connection in one of those cities. There prices are usually fair, however service sucks. If you are flying to the Carribean, then most likely your airline will be them. Rating: Service- 2 stars, Comfort-2 stars (they take WAY to many small planes), Food/Entertainment- 3 stars, On Time: 2 stars (too many bumped flights), Cost: 2 stars, OVERALL: 3 stars I DO NOT reccommend them, they are one of the few that I do not. Every time I fly with them (I have to since my home airport is Charlotte) my bags are lost and usually my flight is delayed due to maintain issues etc.

-United: Based in Chicago, Washington Dulles, and Denver, your stop will be in one of those two hubs. Rating: Service- 3 stars, Comfort-3 stars , Food/Entertainment- 4 stars, On Time: 4 stars, Cost: 3 stars OVERALL: 4 stars

-Southwest: Based in Baltimore and in Chicago Midway,ignore the airline show you see on Discovery (with all the angry people). They offer decent snacks for short runs, and always have large planes with leather seats!! Rating: Service- 4 stars, Comfort-5 stars , Food/Entertainment- 4 stars, On Time: 4 stars, Cost: 4 stars OVERALL: 4 stars

-Airtran: They can be a bit of a hassle based in Atlanta (avoid this at all costs!) Overall, a decent low cost air carrier. Rating: Service- 4 stars, Comfort-3 stars, Food/Entertainment- 2 stars (they go by the low cost option- so its all for-purchase at around 5 bucks), On Time: 3 stars, Cost: 5 stars OVERALL: 4 stars

-American: Decent airline based in Dallas and Chicago, however they do use older aircraft that are a bit noisy and smell at times. They do tend to prefer larger cities, so if your in a smaller one there prices can be high. Rating: Service- 4 stars, Comfort-3 stars , Food/Entertainment- 3.5 stars, On Time: 4 stars, Cost: 3.5 stars OVERALL: 3.5 stars

-Delta: There hub is in Atlanta and Cincinnati. I avoid Atlanta as much as I can. They are pricey, and hence I have never flown them (I have flown just about everyone else though). Rating: Service- 3 stars, Comfort-3 stars, Food/Entertainment- 3 stars , On Time: 3 stars, Cost: 2 stars OVERALL: 3 stars

-Northwest: Not a bad airline based in Detroit and Minneapolis. Tip: Plan for extra connection time in Detroit- that airport is one mile long- so dont plan on 5 minutes. Rating: Service- 4 stars, Comfort-3 stars , Food/Entertainment- 3 stars, On Time: 4 stars, Cost: 4 stars OVERALL: 4 stars

-Continental: Hubs in Cleveland, Newark, and Houston, your stop will be cheap if in Texas, or the Midwest and in New York Metro. EXCELLENT food- free of charge even on short routes, but they can be a bit pricey. Rating: Service- 3 stars, Comfort-4 stars , Food/Entertainment- 5 stars, On Time: 4 stars, Cost: 3 stars OVERALL: 4.5 stars

-Jetblue: Jet blue is based in jfk and long beach, usually a low cost carrier if flying by yourself, but fares really add up once you add more than two people cause they go by one way prices, so you must purchase two tickets. Relativley new aircraft with wide leather seats. Tv in every seat is awesome! Rating: Service- 4 stars, Comfort-4 stars, Food/Entertainment- 5 stars, On Time: 4 stars, Cost: 4 stars OVERALL: 4 stars

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International Airlines:

Beloved Airlines:
-Air Canada- (Most any major airport in US)- yes itll include a stopover in Toronto, but the food and service has always been good to me, movies are good, and the miles go to any Star Alliance member like US and United. Also, they have many student airfare prices and are usually the cheaper major airline option. My flight was canceled, the last of the day one night. So one call and no yelling, they rebooked me on US- which was excellent because US was nonstop- no connecting in Canada!
-British Airways- (Any major airport in US, but will use United and connect in Chicago, Boston, Phily, NYC, Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, LA, San Fran, Seattle, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver)- well its expensive usually, but leather seats and your own direct tv screen are perks and food is awesome!
-If you live in Canada or can fly to Canada first then to Europe (rather then into London, check seats to Toronto and a separate ticket to Europe.) Zoom Airways (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, etc…)- verrrry cheap- your looking at around 400 anytime round trip.
-Virgin Airways (Vegas, New York JFK, Orlando, Boston, DC, Miami, San Fran, LA, and Newark)- well its expensive usually, but leather seats and your own direct tv screen are perks and food is awesome!
-Lufthansa- service out of most major airports to Frankfurt, Germany. Leather seats, good food even on short hauls.