According to its website, JetBlue airlines was founded by David Neeleman in 1999. As of 2010, it services more than 60 cities in the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Major cities include New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Denver and Las Vegas.
Onboard perks with JetBlue include leather seats and, according to its website, "the most legroom in coach." Travelers can upgrade to a seat with 38 inches of legroom for an extra fee. Pillows and blankets are available for a charge, as are in-flight movies. Passengers can enjoy satellite TV and radio channels for free while in flight. JetBlue offers passengers free snacks and drinks, with meals and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
JetBlue Airlines has a Customer Bill of Rights detailing its obligations in the event of a flight cancellation, delay or other disturbance. Each passenger is allowed one checked bag---within weight and size limits---at no charge.
JetBlue Airlines
800-538-2583
jetblue.com
AirTran Airways' website says that it is "a low-fare airline designed for leisure and business travelers alike." The company began as ValuJet in 1992, and, as of 2010, it flies to more than 60 airports in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean, including Chicago's Midway, New York's LaGuardia and Houston's Hobby Airport.
The airline has planes equipped with Wi-Fi and satellite radio and offers business class seating to travelers. All airplanes in the AirTran fleet are made by Boeing. According to the AirTran website, the company was awarded the Market Leadership Award in 2010 from Air Transport World and received the best possible rankings for low-cost carriers by the Airline Quality Rating study in both 2008 and 2009.
AirTrain Airways
800-247-8726
airtranairways.com
Spirit Airlines bills itself as an ultra low-cost carrier, or ULCC, on its website. Standard airfare includes unassigned seating, one carry-on bag, online check-in and leather seats. Passengers can pay more and upgrade to an assigned seat, a checked bag or larger seat, which provide six more inches of width and six more inches of legroom. All of the airline's planes are Airbuses.
The airline began in 1980 and today flies to more than 40 cities in the United States, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Central America and Latin America. Spirit Airlines also offers vacation packages, travel insurance, event tickets and airport parking discounts.
Spirit Airlines
800-772-7117
spiritair.com
