Press release here. US Airways has had ads on tray tables for quite a while, but I almost never see them because I don’t always put down my tray table. Now Airtran is placing ads on seat backs.

If this means lower ticket prices I can’t really argue with this.

I am technically a US hub captive, but since I have been loyal to United since college they have always been my star alliance choice. I have put up with United and starnet blocking. I actually have fairly good redemption success including 2 coach tickets to SYD, 2 F tickets to SFO on US, and a few random bookings for friends.

I’m also a Delta lover because my family is from ATL and it’s blasphemy to not like Coke or Delta (but I pass on Home Depot and UPS). Delta implemented a tiered system last year right before I booked 2 tickets to DUB. I got 2 coach tickets for 90,000 miles each when a low ticket would have been 50,000 and a low BE ticket would have been 100,000. the only F tickets were more than I had in my bank and the 2 coach tickets at 90k wiped me out.

Now US Airways is following Delta. Usually in the race to the bottom it’s the other way around. US implemented charging for all beverages in flight and no one followed. Now that Delta and US have tiered programs I wonder if any other airlines will follow suit. The image posted above does remind me of the DL calendar that never shows the same tier for the same day 2 refreshes in a row. It seems like DL and US have the same development team judging by other things they seem to do at the same time (e.g. adding partner mileage numbers) so it wouldn’t surprise me if US’s calendar is a joke also. Oh well. I’ll keep all my *A miles on United especially since they are adding elite upgrades.

I’ve been flying Airtran more than I’d like recently, but they actually have a fairly interesting program. I now have enough credits for a 1 way trip on FL, but I’m in no hurry to book anything on them if I don’t have to.

After a couple trips on Airtran I’m back on legacy carriers this week. Airtran is good for people watching and does have a nice $49 upgrade, but for those of us in normal economy it is very uncomfortable. My knee was digging into the guy in front of me the whole flight and I’m not that tall. I also made the mistake of booking a seat next to the engine so I had no view either.

Airtran is copying US Airways and now has an Atlanta Falcons plane. I saw the Pittsburgh Steelers plan today, but I did not get a picture.

My flight this afternoon was oversold and they were seeking 3 volunteers to take a flight 4 hours later. Normally I do not take bumps because the exchange is worthless, but this time it was on Airtran and they were offering 2 r/t tickets to anywhere they fly. It was quite tempting and if the flight they were offering wasn’t 4 hours later I might have, but sometimes I just want to get to my destination.

I’m not sure how useful their bump vouchers are. On many airlines when they do the free* r/t ticket it’s very limited so the odds of using it limit its true value. United will give flight credit if asked. This is usually better b/c then you can book your own flight and even use it internationally. With this option the odds of getting a free trip are lower, but there are more options.

I just never get a good opportunity to bump. Either I want to get to my destination or I just don’t feel like waiting around that airport any longer.