Which domestic US airline

Hi
I am flying with my wife to Chicago in June then returning from las Vegas both PE. My dilemma is we want an evening direct flight from Chicago to las vegas(one way) but not sure which would be the best domestic airline to choose. My first thoughts were AA but with their financial problems am I wise to book with them?
Any thoughts/ suggestions. ?|

Spirit, American, US and United fly ORD-LAS. AA and UA will have the most frequent options and I wouldn't worry about booking AA, they are not going under, 'just' restructuring.

Are you staying in Chicago first?

Southwest Airlines fly from Chicago Midway to LAS non-stop. Several flights in the evening and you get 2 free checked baggage to match your PE allowance. Not good if you are connecting straight after a VS flight though.

Conventional wisdom is that the 'legacy' US carriers are miserable to fly with. These are United (merged with CO), AA, US Airways and Delta.

ORD (Chicago O'Hare) is a hub for AA and United.

JetBlue are significantly better, and I've heard that Virgin America and Southwest are good too.

However, it can be a 'needs must' situation because the legacies do often have better schedules from their hub airports than the newer/better airlines above.

One thing I would highly recommend is booking it as a 'through ticket' all on one PNR with Virgin. This means that you will be protected if connections are missed, and baggage can be interlined etc.

[Neil]

Southwest would probably be my choice, and as mentioned, their free 2 checked bags can offer a nice saving over the others.

Southwest would probably be my choice, and as mentioned, their free 2 checked bags can offer a nice saving over the others.

Never flown 'em, and don't think I ever wil by choice.

Interestingly, Southwest don't show up in the OnTheFly app!

Sorry, should have mentioned we are spending a few days in Chicago first.

In that case I'd be choosing Southwest from Midway (closer to the centre of Chicago), 2 free checked bags.

Obviously make sure you check prices of the other carriers, but remember to add on the $25 per checked bag that they will get you for later.

[Neil]

Southwest would probably be my choice, and as mentioned, their free 2 checked bags can offer a nice saving over the others.

Never flown 'em, and don't think I ever wil by choice.

Interestingly, Southwest don't show up in the OnTheFly app!

I guess if you want a F option then they aren't very good, but we have used them a few times now and they have been cheaper than all others and apart from VX they gave the best internal experience, much better than the likes of AA, UA etc.

I just wouldn't want to get on one of their older 737, the 737 NGs perhaps.

Southwest all the way, they fly from Midway non stop to Las. not sure if JetBlue fly from Chicago but they are also a good option and a great airline

I've flown Southwest many times in the US. No frills but still nicer than AA in my book. I'd not hesitate to fly with them again.