[MerlinMatt]

Summary: JetBlue wins hands down.

So, because of flight times and available discounts, we ended up flying down on JetBlue and Flying back on Song. Here's my assessment of the whole experience:

Price - Both are very competitive and each seem to be looking over their shoulder at the other. JetBlue's ticket prices tend to be a little cheaper, but Song's aiport fees seem to be less, so in the end, it's a wash. Winner: tie.

Booking - JetBlue and Song both have easy to use websites and purchasing tickets are relatively easy on both. Song is better in that you can look at available seating before you make your purchase. Both allow seat selection. JetBlue's refund/rebate/credit policy is better. (I think this is due to website technology.) Winner: tie

Online check-in - Did this with Delta last year and JetBlue this year. Song appears to be exactly the same as Delta. (Couldn't do it on the way home, no internet kiosks at the resort.) Both were convenient and easy. Winner: tie

Kiosk check-in - I must make a note about Song's kiosk check-in at the airport. It's very cool and easy, even if you have bags to check. I don't know if JetBlue has a similar set up, so I'll just have to give kudos to Song on this one.

Flight crew - The JetBlue folks are UBER-friendly. As soon as you get on the plane, they appear to be receptive and inviting. DW, as some of you know, is afraid of flying. During the flight, one of the cabin crew had a fairly long conversation (nearly 10 minutes) about what it's like to deal with turbulence. Also, before we took off, the pilot came out, joked a little and got the whole plane in a good mood. Just a good feeling all around. The Song experience seemed like a failed attempt to copy the JetBlue/Southwest model. The crew wasn't stiff like a typical Delta crew, but they were so non-chalant, they were almost disrespectful. They ran out of blankets. When DW tried to engage one of them about the fear of flying, he just blew her off. One of the other attendants was just loud and not very helpful. The crew kept making excuses for the wacky cabin temperature (first it was hot, then it was cold, then it was hot, then cold again and finally ok by the time we landed. ) We only heard from the pilot once we began our descent into Logan. Winner: JetBlue easily.

Aircraft/Cabin - Song uses refurbished Delta Boeing 757's with an average age of 10-11 years. They are brightly colored with leather seats, great leg room and each seat has satellite TV service as well as an in-flight trivia game which pits you against other passengers. The cabin is broken up into two sections, although the forward section does not have first class seating. JetBlue uses brand new Airbus A320's which are nearly 2 years old. In-flight noise is dramatically less than on the older 757s. The cabins are also nicely appointed with leather seats, great leg room and satellite TV for every seat. The cabin is wide open from front to back. While Song's entertainment options are slightly more varied and their trip display is better, JetBlue gets the edge in every other aspect of the plane. Winner: JetBlue

In-flight service: The only thing you get for free on Song is a drink and they shove the menu down your throat. The way they collect money for the food and mixed drinks is a little odd and hard to explain why. JetBlue's service just felt friendlier. A snack was free and you get to pick it out of a wicker tray that was almost elegant. Winner: JetBlue.

In the end, the JetBlue staff made you feel welcome. The Song staff made you feel cheap. JetBlue didn't FEEL like a discount airline, Song did.

JetBlue wins this comparison easily. It's unlikely that we'll consider flying Song again.

[BuzzLightyear]

Thanks for the detailed report.
I'll have to check and see if JetBlue flys out of Hartford / Bradley airport.

[MerlinMatt]

Buzz:

They don't. You'd either have to drive to Boston or New York for JetBlue.

But what about Southwest?

[BuzzLightyear]

Originally Posted by Matt McDonnell

Buzz:

They don't. You'd either have to drive to Boston or New York for JetBlue.

But what about Southwest?

Yep, just checked their site.
I really enjoyed our song flight, but I'll check out southwest for next trip also. The cheaper the flight the better for me.....unfortunately.

[15 mins to wdw]

I recently emailed Jet blue about service to Bradley and was told that if they recieved enough requests for service to Bradley they would begin service there. your best bet to get them into bradley is to email them on there website www.jetblue.com

as for southwest I'm not exactly fond of there planes the have small cramped seats, and no leg room. however the last time I was flew southwest I got to fly on one of there redone planes with leather seats very comfty but no more room in them. the blue planes are the ones with the leather seats.

if you look at the first link you will see a newer southwest plane this one has tipped wings its as new as you can hope for.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file?i...%3D&static=yes


not all the leather seated planes have tipped wings but they all have the same paint job unless they have a custom paint job as in the link below.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file?i...%3D&static=yes

[disneyguy]

[quote=15 mins to wdw]I recently emailed Jet blue about service to Bradley and was told that if they recieved enough requests for service to Bradley they would begin service there. your best bet to get them into bradley is to email them on there website www.jetblue.com
[quote]

WOW!!! Thanks for telling me that I am going to send them an email, and tell them where the business is!!! Jacksonville, Florida and Salisbury, Maryland!!! Thanks Matt for the review, because I have always wondered what the difference was.

[mickaholic4077]

You were able to book a one-way ticket on Song, Matt???? I didn't know you could do that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[15 mins to wdw]

at my last job I flew jetblue a few times they had great flight times for me, I was flying on buisness and going from CT (although I flew out of JFK) to Las angles but I just did the extra drive time and landed at long beach airport. I have to give them 2 thumbs up all the way around I have yet to fly song, although I did enjoy my flights on Delta express.

[Ghostrider002]

Well that has to be hands down the best airplane review I have ever seen!

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by mickaholic4077

You were able to book a one-way ticket on Song, Matt???? I didn't know you could do that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's how all the discount airlines are scheduling their flights now. JetBlue, Song and Southwest are all one-way fares. Even a round trip is two one-way fares. There are no discounts* for flying round trip.

Matt

* discounts - while there is no automatic savings for flying round trip, Song has had a few offers where if you book a round trip by a certain date, they will award you a single one-way ticket voucher. Clearly, they want you to fly only them.

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by Ghostrider002

Well that has to be hands down the best airplane review I have ever seen!

I'm flattered! TYVM.

I just want everyone to have as much information as possible when making plans for a trip. It tends to make everything go better.

[keljen]

Thanks for the comparison of JetBlue vs Song as we fly on JetBlue this October and wasn't sure what to expect

[gracie]

I agree with Matt about JetBlue. I have never flown on Song, but I loved JetBlue. The service and the direct TV access was amazing. I was thoroughly impressed and try to go out of my way to fly with them again. I think more airlines should take some tips from them on customer satisfaction!