We are trying to decide which is more important - We generally fly Delta as the Atlanta hub is fairly accessible to us - last year we had NO problems going through customs in Atlanta and flights were right on time.

This year we are considering a swap to American Airlines/US Air - we'd go through CLT - but I am concerned about bad reports I continually hear about service on AA -

We'd have to take a regional jet to get to CLT (I don't like to fly - really don't like the little planes) - BUT a first class fare is the same as economy on Delta... so it's a HUGE price differential

thoughts?

We've flown both those routes many times. We slightly prefer Delta, but never had major problems with USAir (AA) to SXM other than slight delays. Delta has a better on-time record and we find the service a bit better. However, with that being said, if I had a choice of first-class seats over economy at the same price, it would be a no brainer.

Edited to add: I don't really like the smaller planes either, though they fly fine. I'm just a bit claustrophobic and prefer the larger planes.

I'm guessing based on your location you fly out of Memphis, same as we do - I've been on that MEM-CLT flight a number of times - only once was I really scared by the turbulence - I'm a white knuckle flier at baseline so it doesn't take much to scare me.

Still that first leg is not a long flight - just over an hour to CLT - right at 50 mins to ATL - and it is a long flight to SXM, so it is hard to pass up first class tix...

decisions, decisions.... trying to pull the trigger on tix in the next few weeks - last year I waited until after labor day, thinking prices would go down and they only went up

I did Delta this year and USAir last year. Without a doubt, I would choose Delta if everything else is pretty much even.

Customs and Immigration in Atlanta seems to be MUCH more efficient than Charlotte. Charlotte USED to be decent but my last several international experiences have not been good.

I guess you know there will not be anything such as first class on the puddle jumper? Have you been driving to Atlanta before? I kind of wish I knew how folks are getting first class for the same fare as coach, but I guess I'm not hitting the sales right! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> And at this point, you are talking about US Air still, not AA...

Your problem with your flights, if any, will be on the return through Charlotte. Charlotte used to be a great place to come home through C & I, but everyone complains about them now. Just make sure you have a long connection time, or be prepared for a stressful time coming home.

We always fly out of Atl and have have flown both Delta and AA. We never have had a problem until last year when we went back with AA. We have never experienced such a rude flight crew as the one that flew between Miami and SXM. Not only were they rude to all the passengers, but to each other. This year we are back with Delta. In fact, we leave in 10 days and we can't wait. Our votes go to Delta after last year.

Some of the larger regional jets do have first class but on a flight of under 1 hour there would not be a lot of benefit other than the room. If the plane has 50 or less seats, don't expect first class.

I used to fly Delta from Memphis but I now fly US through CLT. My flights to and from Memphis-Charlotte are no longer on the small regional jets. I am so happy because I hate having to gate check my carryon bag on the smaller planes. I am headed out this Sunday!

As a side note, anyone can check the type of aircraft a certain flight uses. Take your flight number and you can check it via the airline's own site or there are others as well. SeatGuru is another option.

Equipment is subject to change but usually pretty consistent. Once you know the equipment type you can check whether there is 1st class, number of seats, storage, seat pitch, etc.

Two of the regional jets AA/USAir use are the CRJ-700/CRJ-900 for short hops, have 65-80 seats and small First Class cabins

Decent, quiet planes

One more opinion here - we've only flown Delta a few times and in honesty, we had no problems. That said, AA is our carrier of preference and we've never had a problem with them either as far as routes, crews or service.

AA does seem to cancel flights but they will usually work with you on making suitable arrangements when this happens and I think a lot of those changes happen to us because we usually fly in the soft shoulder season.

The thing is, I often read about DTA cancelling flights, too, so I think that is a phenomenon of today's air travel in general and it will happen more based on your frequency of travel. These days we only seem to fly about twice a year but we still end up with at least one cancellation a year requiring rebooking.

I can't speak for anyone else but if First/Business (I don't think AA actually offers a First Class to St. Maarten?) is less expensive on AA than Coach on DTA, and assuming the price difference includes your regional air flight, there'd be no contest for me - I'd take AA Business in a heartbeat. But that's just me and keep in mind, I'm one of the few who isn't a huge fan of JB and will only book them if they're the only n/s available to me. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

American and US Air are merging and despite their best intentions, t hat often results in chaos. I respect the new management -- they are America West folks and that was a fine airline -- but American's planes squeeze you in your seat and US Airways has a lot to learn about treating customers right. I'd either stick with Delta or watch for new flights to SXM coming on other airlines (though not from ATL). Over the next year there will be more choices coming.

BTDT. We only fly AA/US when we can use miles, otherwise it's Delta.

I spent so much time with AA today.
They only have the middle seats (window and aisle blocked) and the end rows available for economy for our date in April!!!
No upgrade with miles available.
There is a charge for luggage unless you are in business class.

May wait for Jetblue. I don't want to book business and have the direct flight canceled. Here we go again... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

What do you mean, the end rows? The back of the plane? That's the way it's been for a while. We often book the back of the plane anyway, hoping to get 3 seats for the 2 of us..

And occasionally they open the back door for deplaning! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Yes, not so much any more, as they usually have a jetway, but it still happens sometimes..

You're right, they don't. We were lucky on our Delta flight the end of February; they did open it. But we didn't have a jetway in the front of the plane either.

Going back HOME, I don't love hauling the carry-on items up that stairs, but arriving with the stairs in the back can be sweet!!

Yes, I did mean the last couple of rows in the back. I use to book the back too, so we would have a spot for our one carry-on and board a little sooner. I was just very surprised to see only aisle seats available for ALL the rows before them and after More Room seats! I never saw that before. I don't get the point. Oh well that's AA. I will wait.

David and I always book aisle seats across from each other, unless we're flying first or business class. That way neither of us is stuck in the middle seat.

Just the last couple rows?? Recently, it had been maybe the last 10 rows, which is fine with me. Probably they open up better seats later? I am looking at flights in June and the seats you have to pay for are only just past the wings.

Oops, only the middle seats are open!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
Spent way too much time with it!

LOL! That makes more sense. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Actually, we live in East TN (Knoxville). We don't like connecting flights, so we either drive the 4 hours to CLT, or the 3 hours to ATL. Day after tomorrow will be Delta from ATL. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Very much looking forward to this trip. We didn't care for USAir during our last trip this past January. Rude FA's, delayed baggage coming out, and just overall nonsense. Not sure the merger between USAirways and AA is doing them any favors. Will post about our experience this time with Delta, but have normally preferred them in the past.