Many of us travel by airlines, when not flying our planes. The airlines have some big advantages, first of all they are safer. U S major airlines have not had a single passenger fatalitiy in six years. Thats extraordinary, especially in view of the millions of people and millions of miles flown and private gen aviation doesnt have that record, nor does other forms of transportation. The are deaths on subways, trains, buses, even cruise ships and ferries, carnival rides. etc, and thousands of driving accidents.
The other big advantage is weather flying, if you need to be on a schedule, the airline can and will go in most weather, when light gen av flying might not. Bad weather flying is one area where gen av accidents occur. And sometimes with bad imc or turbulence, it is easier to ride than fly. This is particularly true if you have to go a long distance or overseas. Not too many folks fly their Cessna to Hawaii or Europe.
On some routes the airline can be cheaper than flying our plane. Where a private plane can be cost effective is if you have several people where airlines would charge for each.
Funwise, the reverse is true. There was a time when airline travel emphsized customer experience but not now. Its like comparing a dounut to a bagel. Both have flour, but only one is sweet.And private flyihg is more flexible if you have time to do so.
The new issue of Consumer reports rates airlines. Jet Blue and Southwest at top of budget ones. and Virgin and Alaska for luxury ones.. I dont like Jet Blue for their holding passenger hostage for hours on the tarmac a few years back. It took a passenger revolt to get a law passed to stop that.
The article also points out how seat size and comfort has shrunk over the years, even though people havent.
Many EAA members are also airline pilots, I have freinds at Delta, SW, and United.