I haven't flown in years

[forgotten_aria]

I haven't flown in years and I need to plan a trip to LA this August. Reading reviews I've realized things have changed a bit. What are the new gotchas about air flight? I've noticed that checking a bag for free is now a "feature" of an airline. I'm really considering spending a little extra and going with Virgin America. Airtrans, which seems to be super cheap, scares me on some level (and the flight search site kayak says most of their LA flights are late.) I really don't have much extra money (and I'd like to save as much as possible for lewts from the trip,) though, so I'm a little scared about spending an extra $80, but it is a long flight. If I go for virgin, I might even splurge $13 on the in flight wifi.

Anyway, advice is welcome, though coach class stories are most appricated.

Comments

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

The food for purchase in Logan is pretty good, other airports not so much so.

echoing what mathhobbit said -- check in is now mostly automated, you go to the machines (where you pay for any bags you're checking) and then try to figure out where they want you to bring the bags you're checking.