Airline (A&E, Biography Channel)

AIRLINE follows Southwest Airlines' day-to-day operations as passengers check in, board, and head off for their final destinations. Viewers watch as the airline's staff and crew deal with excited travelers, nervous fliers, and unhappily stranded customers and work to ensure the safe, timely passage of thousands of passengers. Every day, the employees meet lots of fascinating people with heartwarming (and sometimes heartbreaking) stories. But as airline regulations get tighter and the number of passengers increases, they must also contend with dissatisfied and often irate customers who believe they've been treated unfairly. Also challenging is staff's increased need to tag people who are too intoxicated to fly, many of whom are humorously dramatic and belligerent.

The ups and downs faced by both Southwest customers and staff members may provide some entertaining viewing moments, but AIRLINE might also strike a sore nerve in folks who are no stranger to the inconveniences associated with air travel. It doesn't help when Southwest employees are sometimes unaccommodating or rude when enforcing their policies.

But despite some off-putting moments, the show is absorbing -- as well as a unique promotional vehicle for the airline. It also demonstrates that while working for an airline isn't always easy, it does come with its share of interesting experiences.

TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: A&E
Cast: Colleen Bragiel, Michael Carr, Yolanda Martin
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: A&E