Any bad reviews on SWA?

[Laurajean1014]

We have ressies with SWA, any tips?

 

[apagano]

SWA is a great airline and an excellent value. The only tip I would have is to check in at the gate well in advance of boarding time. Since SWA does not have assigned seating, you will want to be in the first group of passengers to be seated so you can have your choice of seats and be settled in before the mad scramble of people stuffing the overhead bins.

 

[preshi]

I agree esp if you have more than 2 people. We arrived late last time and we (Dh and I) had to sit seperatly and in middle seats Yuck! This time I am going alone but I am goin to get there as early as possible so I can get a good seat!

 

[Beanie]

Another vote for getting there early!! We pre-board because we have kids under 4 years, so we don't have to be there as early as others, but if you don't have kids that age and under, you definitely will want to be seated with the first group...that way you have your pick of seats!!

Have a great trip!!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Is an 1 1/2 early enough to check in at cab station and then at gate?

What would you suggest?

 

[chris1gill]

We LOVE SWA!!! I would say that Yes, that is enough time... The scramble seems to start right at about the 1 hour mark!!!! SWA has clean planes that run on time... We really like them a lot... we're flying with them in December....

 

[Bigcat]

Have taken SWA several times to Orlando from BWI. As a solo traveller I am one of the last people to get on the plane, no matter what my number is. Pre-boarding parties with children seems to be everybody going on the plane except me!

As a consequence, I refuse to fly SWA!!!

 

[Laurajean1014]

I know many business travelers refuse to fly SWA because of that reason and for the fact that they can't fit their carry-ons and laptops in the overheads.........

 

[georgiapeach60]

We have flown them many many times and have been really pleased with them. I do agree that the no assigned seating thing can be a pain. That is the one thing I wish they would change. If the prices are right we will use them again for our Feb. trip.

 

[travelcoupons]

I hate the 'no-assigned' seating.

Last time, my kids were young enough that we got to preboard and there still was not a very good selection of seats.

 

[CarolA]

Well, they may not pre assign seats, but more often than not they are on time which is more than I can say for most of the other flights I am on!

Keep in mind that even if you are in the first 30 people boarded there may be people already on the plane. For example, if the plane goes from Detroit to Nashville to Orlando, people may have boarded in Detroit and stay on until Orlando. That is why I always try to get there in time to get a first group boarding pass!

 

[NHLFAN]

Hmmm,
Pros:
1. Cheap seats
2. On Time

Cons:
1. NO pre assign seats
2. NO meals
3. No movies
4. No "1st CLASS"

 

[n2mm]

I've been tempted to use them, but the no assigned seating bugs me. I'm not a great flyer, so really need someone I know to hold on to. The fares out of BWI seem to be wonderful. I have a co-worker who flys them all of the time with her 2 infants. Seems she always get a great seat. She just plops the 2 car seats down, and people tend to move. Out of Washington, Delta and USair will usually compete pretty closely with SWA, so I'm one of the lucky ones (especially with 3 airports to choose from).

 

[GoldenPrincess]

I guess it all depends on what you're looking for.

Personally, I'd MUCH rather pay the lower fare (we find $100 RT fares regularly through SWA from CT to FL), and get to my destination ON TIME than have a crappy frozen meal served and watch a movie that I've already seen on HBO. I hate paying extra for frills.

The "no assigned seating" doesn't bother us at all. We check in early and are usually in the first group to be boarded. Even when we're in the second group we manage to find pretty good seats together.

As far as CLASS is concerned--huh? What airline is classy? I guess it depends on your definition of class. Excellent customer service, on-time flights, happy employees, sitting wherever I want on the plane (usually third row--as close to first class as I'm willing to pay for!)--it all adds up to class for me!

Ohhhh...Just saw the correction in the above post! First Class is a different story. I'll still stick with SWA, though. I can sit in first class area seating for a fraction of the cost!

 

[Laurajean1014]

I got $75/pp and $93/pp rt non-stop from BDL to MCO for three vacations this fall! So, with the money I saved, I bought a portable DVD Player! I've had it for 2 months now and have already gotten my money's worth!

So I do not mind no movies (we never get one on Delta or US Air anyway)! As for the no assigned seating, I've only had that once and it was a nightmare. But I know now what to expect and will try to be the first to arrive!!!

 

[DISFANS3]

SW-for us, MCI-MCO best fares around, Just check in early.... CBR99,Allstar movies Feb 2001,Allstar music Aug 2001.......