I read and agreed with Brooklynbadboy's diary regarding the deficits in commercial air travel, but at the same time, it's something we can't always avoid. I thought, therefore, that I'd try to offer a diary where people can list the (rare, perhaps) good things that are still available in affordable commercial air travel. (I would ask that, unless you have a way for us ordinary folks to afford it, you avoid mentioning the luxuries of first- and business-class. Yes, we know, it's wunnerful in the big chairs up front, but it makes us peons feel peed-on to discuss it.)
Here's my start to the list:
- JetBlue. Comfortable seats with enough leg room for all (and affordable upgrades for those times you just have to have more, like I did for a red-eye LA-to-JFK recently), live satellite TV and radio, free WiFi in many of its terminals, and modern aircraft. JetBlue's not perfect (witness its tarmac debacles a few years ago), it's also had to cut some things, and it doesn't offer WiFi on its planes yet (other than a single partial trial), but it still is the best overall affordable flying I've found.
- In-flight Wi-Fi. While I haven't yet experienced this personally, everyone I know who has used Virgin America's in-flight Wi-Fi has been pleased by the service, and I know other airlines offer it too. I can't wait to use my Palm Pre's Wi-Fi on a long flight (mandatory FTC Guides disclosure: I'm a Palm Real Reviewer). Note that I don't talk about using my laptop; I've given up hope that I'll ever have room to use a laptop or even a netbook effectively in a coach seat.
That's my (rather short) list. I look forward to seeing what you might still find positive about affordable commercial air travel. {ProfJonathan}