For a variety of reasons, I’m a big Delta flyer. And mostly a fan. But having already hit platinum on Delta for next year, I decided to give jetBlue a try for a trip to New York.

Since its founding in 1999, jetBlue Airways has garnered a pretty strong reputation as both a good carrier to fly, and a good place to work. With the notable exception of the notorious, ugly, and seemingly anomalous service debacle of February 2007 (which got it yanked off the cover of Business Week’s “Customer Service Champs” issue), the airline’s strategy has mostly been focused on affordable fares, simple operations, satisfied employees, and happy customers.

On today’s flight, from Jacksonville to JFK, I’d have to give them an A+. The gate personnel and flight attendants were all polite, friendly, helpful, and professional. We left on time, and arrived early, into their brand spanking new, spiffy dedicated terminal at JFK. The free satellite TV (at every seat) worked fine, and they gave me a diet Coke and a bag of blue potato chips, which I enjoyed. They didn’t get the chance to lose my luggage. And the walk from the plane to a taxi was short and convenient.

No complaints. I’ll report on my return later in the week.

Richard Hadden is a leadership speaker, author, and consultant who helps organizations improve their business results by creating a great place to work. He and Bill are the authors of the new book Contented Cows MOOve Faster, as well as the acclaimed business classic Contented Cows Give Better Milk. Learn more about them and their work at ContentedCows.com.