Southwest Airlines

[Meg1884]

My mom and I are going down to Disney in February for my sister's cheerleading competition and are trying to save as much money as possible. We were looking into flying with Southwest Airlines since they seem to have the best possible price around. We have never used them and I understand that it is open seating on the flight. I was just wondering if anyone on here has flown with them and were you happy? We are planning on booking the least expensive price which I believe can not be cancelled or rescheduled which is fine but does anyone know of any difference between booking those tickets and the more expensive ones? Will we still be able to sit together with the cheaper tickets as long as we check-in 24 hours before the flight and get the same letter to be called onto the plane? Thanks!

[uscwest]

We have flown Southwest MANY times and it is a nice no frills airline. However, they have just changed their seating policy. They no longer do the A, B, C which resulted in huge lines waiting to board. Now they will assign a sequential number, assigned at check in. You don't board until they call your number. That said, the seating is still "open" in that you select any available seat. They are also selling what they now call "business" tickets. People who pay these higher prices will apparently be given lower numbers. I haven't flown under this new system yet but from what I have read I'm not sure I like it.

Where are you flying from?

[Meg1884]

Philadelphia....Someone at my work suggested Southwest but I don't think she has flown under the new system and since she flies alone it probably doesn't matter much. My mom and I would like to sit together but I guess if push came to shove we could always sit alone. Do you have any other suggestions for us. Under the new system do we check in 24 hours in advance and get a #? We would be checking in together so our numbers would be around eachother but I guess if we are one of the last then we would run the risk of not sitting together. What do you not like about the new system?

[uscwest]

Have you looked into Air Tran? They offer reasonable fares on a lot of routes that Southwest travels also.

The thing I don't like about Southwest's new plan is that they give preference to the folks that pay more. Under the old system, at least you had a good chance at getting an A seating if you checked in 24 hours in advance. With this new one, you may or may not get a low enough number to guarantee seats together.

[Meg1884]

Ok I will have to check them. Do they have a website or who should I check to see their fares? Do they have assinged seats?

[uscwest]

Ok I will have to check them. Do they have a website or who should I check to see their fares? Do they have assinged seats?
airtran.com I think you can get assigned seats at an extra charge. But you can check in 24 hours in advance to get your seat also.

[OKWTink]

Does Spirit fly out of Philly? I think it does. If you pay extra for it, you can have reserved seating. It's not that much extra.

I've flown AirTran and Southwest. Southwest was a horrible scrunched up ride. :(

[Meg1884]

How was AirTran?

[JuniorMickey]

I've never had a problem with Southwest and I've flown them a lot to MA (well technically RI but close enough)

Flying out of Philly, I would check US Air also, they have a hub in Philly

[OKWTink]

Air Tran wasn't too bad. I had more room than on the Southwest torture flight. I'm not sure I'd fly Southwest again.

US Air might be good too. I've flown with them, and United any number of times. They are quite good.

Surprisingly, Continental (an airline that I used to really dislike) has come a long way with improving their customer service. Their flights tend to be more comfortable too.

I much prefer having a reserved seat. I don't like the free for all approach at all. :shrug:

[Meg1884]

Thanks for all of your help everyone! We are going to go with Southwest since they had the best price. US Air and United were just way too expensive for a spur of the moment trip.

[Johnie]

I almos talways fly AirTran. We've never had a problem with them. They have awesome customer service! If you buy tickets and the price goes down, you get a credit to use within a year. You can purchase your seat for $7.50 when you book or you can wait till you check in. I wait till checkin and have never not been able to sit with my party.

I don't particularly like Southwest. They have been late every time I have flown with them.

[OKWTink]

That too Johnie. I didn't mind AirTran. I'd fly with them again.

I'll bet everything will be ok with Southwest though! Lots of folks use them and have good experiences!

[JuniorMickey]

If you're going to have a lot of baggage, Southwest is the most generous with baggage allowance. It came in handy for me coming home from Grandma's funeral since Papa made me take a lot of stuff

[irishmystt]

We have flown Southwest MANY times and it is a nice no frills airline. However, they have just changed their seating policy. They no longer do the A, B, C which resulted in huge lines waiting to board. Now they will assign a sequential number, assigned at check in. You don't board until they call your number. That said, the seating is still "open" in that you select any available seat. They are also selling what they now call "business" tickets. People who pay these higher prices will apparently be given lower numbers. I haven't flown under this new system yet but from what I have read I'm not sure I like it.

Where are you flying from?


OH MY!!!!! :eek: When did this occur???? That sounds kinda stinky. I loved the ABC deal, as much as the lines were long, at least it was good. Sounds kinda confusing now.

[uscwest]

OH MY!!!!! :eek: When did this occur???? That sounds kinda stinky. I loved the ABC deal, as much as the lines were long, at least it was good. Sounds kinda confusing now.It all changed back around Thanksgiving. :(

[irishmystt]

Bummer!! I'll have to read up on that. I hate changes, lol.

[irishmystt]

It all changed back around Thanksgiving. :(

Ok I looked up the info at SW's website. Here's a link. Actually it doesn't seem too different. It actually might work out to be a bit more civilized when boarding. See what you think.

http://www.southwest.com/help/boardingschool/index.html

:)

[uscwest]

HOWEVER, Southwest is trying frantically to compete for the Business Class Flyers and they WILL be given priority over the "best price" passengers.

[susanC]

I don't particularly like Southwest. They have been late every time I have flown with them.

Just for the record, SW does have the most reliable "on time" record of any US Airline. SW and Quantas share the spot of the safest Airlines. I am not sure about the new seating, but sometimes, if needed, they will offer someone a free drink in order to encourage someone to switch.
I like to fly SW for peace of mind.

[Johnie]

Sorry but that has not been my experience with them at all. Airtran has always been ontime and arrived early. Southwest is completely the opposite IME

[susanC]

Sorry but that has not been my experience with them at all. Airtran has always been ontime and arrived early. Southwest is completely the opposite IME
I am all for finding what works best for you and sticking with it! I sure hope they are on time for us this trip since we will be getting there late as it is!

[uscwest]

I have been flying Southwest for a long time, mostly because they were almost always the cheapest and because I could count on them being dependable and on time. The last few times I have flown them however, my experiences have not been the greatest, including waiting almost an hour and a half in Baltimore at one o'clock in the morning for my luggage to come in.

[Meg1884]

I have one other question for anyone who has flown with Southwest. When I sign on to the website 24 hours prior to my flight to check in will I be able to print out my boarding passes?

[JuniorMickey]

Yep - that's pretty much standard with all airlines now. You'll still have to go to the counter or deal with skycap if you're checking bags however

[Meg1884]

Ok thanks. Now I just have to figure out how we are going to print out our boarding passes for the way back home.

[JuniorMickey]

If you have internet on your phone you can check in via your mobile web browser and just get your boarding passes when you get to the airport

[OKWTink]

I tried that recently Junior Mickey and had NO luck what so ever. Couldn't get to their site. We have internet access on our phones and use it with great success for many things, but was totally unable to get to Southwest. Very frustrating.

[JuniorMickey]

Did you use the mobile website? There's the URL on the site? I've done the phone check in 3 or 4 times and it has always worked beautifully for me

[OKWTink]

I thought we had, but I'll double check. :yes:

[Dzneeprincss]

I have flown on no other airline but SWA and have nothing but praise for it. We used it just after the new rules set in and I can tell you it is not a problem. As the rules go when you purchase the most expensive ticket, you are given "priority seating" meaning "A 1-20". This is most likely because businesses don't mind paying the extra $$$. If you get your ticket online right at the 24 hour mark you will most likely get an A seating of 21-30. If you are a family traveling together the person with the lowest number gets everyone with them. For example- if you have "A29" and the last member of your group has "B34" then the "B" group will load with you as long as it is parents and children together. If you are in a wheelchair or have any disabilities you will be boarded before the rest of the people.
HTH-
Marie
The Magic For Less Travel

http://www.themagicforless.com/affiliates/link.shtml?affiliate=TMFL-UK (http://www.themagicforless.com/affiliates/link.shtml?affiliate=TMFL-UK)