Last month I had to fly from San Diego to Colorado Springs. In the past, this trip required at least one layover. But on this occasion I was excited at the prospect of getting from the Pacific Ocean to "The Springs" directly in two hours. Thanks to Express Jet Airlines (full disclosure: we contribute content to their in-flight mag), non-stop trips to second-tier cities such as Colorado Springs, Spokane, Omaha and Oklahoma City are now available from large cities throughout the U.S.

I'll take a direct route over a layover any day of the week, but without yet flying on ExpressJet I was curious how their service would stack up against the competition. My verdict? While a few features of the plane take some getting used to, I enjoyed my experience and highly recommend putting Express Jet on your radar.

Express Jet flies 50-passenger planes - most carriers fly these regional jets to/from short destinations - eg, San Diego to Phoenix, etc., but EJ's entire fleet is limited to this size plane. Not to be confused with a prop plane, the jets are smooth and quiet. However, the seats are narrow and leg room is less than on a 737. Seats are arranged with one on the aisle's left side and two seats on the right. If you're traveling alone, try to snag a single seat on the left and you'll enjoy a little more room. The backs recline somewhat and the chairs are leather padded.

Due to the plane's smaller size, only one flight attendant is on board. I found that they hustle through the cabin and provide excellent service with a smile. It might take a few more seconds for them to respond to your "call button" than first-class service, but remember you're not paying for that privilege. Complimentary snacks and soft drinks are offered-a turkey sandwich and cookies-not necessary, but a nice touch.

By far, the best feature of flying on ExpressJet is the availability of XM satellite radio. Listening to a baseball playoff game on the way home was awesome! Not to mention that it made the ride fly by-pun intended. Even if a major sporting event isn't scheduled, passengers can enjoy what seems like a limitless number of audio channels. I had to keep referring to the channel guide to review the numerous options.

Bottom Line: Have no reservation about making a reservation on Express Jet. They're definitely here to stay.