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I find the difference in customer service and amenities between US and international flights to be quite staggering. Even though a transatlantic flight is sometimes not much longer than a coast-to-coast US flight, the experience (at least on a foreign airline) is very different.
Quite a bit has to do with the nickel-and-diming attitude here. I understand that costs are high and competition abounds, but as a pricing model it damages the experience quite a bit. I'd prefer slightly higher prices, with better service. But I feel that the airlines are stuck in this spiral, and intent on showing you the lowest "base price" while cutting away anything they can.
I recently flew to the US from France (Paris to the East Coast on AirFrance, and East Coast to Seattle on US Airways). The first flight had complimentary (and decent) food, beverages (including alcoholic beverages), pillows etc, friendly service, a multimedia system with lots of movies to view, along with music and games. It made the 8 hour flight go pretty quickly. And luggage was free (2 pieces).
On the 6 hour US Airways flight, you could buy some crappy food / drink, there were no TVs in all the cabin, you would have to buy a pillow or blanket if you needed any, and the general attitude was surly.
The US airlines don't "owe" me better service.. But clearly better service does exist. When flying internationally I try to avoid US carriers as much as I can, but I can't do much about that for local flights.
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