Fly American from Bismarck to Atlanta

If you are a fervent lover of airborne expeditions with a proclivity for flights from Bismarck, North Dakota to the peachy city of Atlanta, lend me your ears or rather your glowing screens! I come bearing gifts of inside knowledge, concealed truths and bewildering contradictions about the much-loved yet maligned American Airlines.

Now, we all know flights and flying have been a bone of contention since the Wright Brothers said, "Hey, let's slap some wings on this thing and see if it can fly." From business class elitists with their pomp and twelve-course meals to the Spartan economy class travelers that survive on vacuum-sealed sandwiches and mini wine bottles, the great in-flight class divide is as ironic as it is real.

Let's start with those coveted direct flights. Oh, the joy of embarking from croissant-chilly Bismarck and alighting in peach-soaked Atlanta without the agonizing suspensions of a layover! If only all airlines offered them as frequently as we would like! Nevertheless, American Airlines, our magnanimous provider, generously offers several non-stop flights from Bismarck to Atlanta. Well, "several" might be a slight exaggeration, meant to mask the harsh reality of just a few frequencies. But wouldn't you agree that a little embellishment never hurt anyone?

And what about round-trip journeys, for those who don't fancy one-way existential trips into the holiday oblivion? American Airlines claims to value all its passengers, whether they're journeying into the unknown or making a swift and suspicious return. They certainly cater to your round-trip needs, though the question of the airfare can be a touchy issue. What kind of mockery is it to be promised cheap flights and then discover hidden charges popping up like guerilla peanuts? But hey, isn't that what the journey of life is all about - the undying optimism in the face of reality?

On that note, let's not forget the much-ridiculed baggage allowance. You pack for a month for your week-long trip and BAM! The check-in clerk gives you a smile that screams "Extra Charges!" in a high-pitched screech. 'It’s just a fashion emergency', you whimper, your pleas falling on deaf ears. American Airlines surreptitiously nods, its policies cleverly designed to accommodate your wardrobe luggage — as long as you're ready to pay a king's ransom.

Last, but certainly not least, is the fabled In-flight services. From sleep-aiding pillows that seem filled with rocks to in-flight entertainment that often exclusively includes three-decade-old sitcom reruns, the in-flight service can be distressingly ironic. But don’t fret, American Airlines consistently outdoes themselves, providing warm meals that are occasionally upstaged by ice-cold cabin temperatures.

If you're a mileage program enthusiast, fret not. You can collect enough miles for your next christmas getaway, provided you book a round trip to Mars and back. But quips aside, the mileage program can prove beneficial for those who fly as often as birds migrate.

So, ready for your flight from Bismarck to Atlanta, dear traveler? Between us, we've laughed and grimaced our way through it all, yet American Airlines continues to fly high, mocking the odds. Thus, if you’re in for a thrill and a shrug, it’s your best bet. Or as they don't say, “Airlines will be airlines!”