Anyone ever fly SOUTHWEST airlines ?

[pooh2001]

We were going to fly DELTA from LGA.
Decided best to fly out of ALBANY (ALB) on
SOUTHWEST airlines - Boeing 737 - seats 137 passagers.

Maybe safer from Albany than LGA (close to New York City) - and less traffic.
The airports are both 2 hours from our house.

Long-term parking at Albany is less expensive than at LGA.

So how is SouthWest airlines ?
Anyone flown them from anywhere ?

How is Albany Airport off Wolf Road ?

Thinking of staying at the Red Roof Inn, Wolf Road the night before the flight ?
Anyone stay at a Red Roof ? How are they ?

thanks

 

[phxjj05]

I have flown them before - no pre-assigned seats, so get there early to get a boarding card in the first or second loading group.

Low on frills, peanuts and beverages mostly.

Service is very good, baggage lines move quickly, flight attendants are helpful and often a lot of fun.

 

[can'tgetenufofwdw]

Hi. We fly out of ALB every year. This past march we flew SWA for the first time. No problems at all. In fact DH and I are using SWA again for our kid free trip in Oct to WDW. Also plan on using them again when we go back with the kids in March. We always stay at the Hilton Garden Inn(518-464-6666). Beautiful Hotel Excellant service!!!!. You can leave your car there for NO charge and they will shuttle you to the airport at ANY time day or nite again for free. ( We always tip the driver.) I think it's about $100-129 a nite . I'm not sure though because we get the gov't rate as DH and I both work for the Gov't. We have stayed there 5 times now. We have stayed at other places in Abany but since we found the HGI we won't stay anywhere else. It is the closest place to the airport about 3/10th of a mile but from inside the hotel you would never know it. We've never heard any air traffic and it sits back from the road so you never hear car traffic. If for some reason you choose to stay somewhere else you should know about Park and Fly. About a mile from the Airport and I think at their website you can download a coupon for $26 a week. Much cheaper than the airport. Hope I helped

 

[VickiVM]

I had just posted a nice, eloquent reply about how great SWA is...great fares, great on-time record, great safety record, blah, blah, blah. Then the boards went down for maintenance. Suffice it to say, enjoy the savings and peace of mind. Don't worry about the checkin procedure. As one fellow SWA traveller once said when others were griping about the boarding procedure, "We all get there at the same time".

 

[loriace1]

I have one question about the boarding. What do they do if you are traveling with children? Obviously, I can't be separated from my four year olds.

 

[Jimmac]

Families with young children board first. I'm not sure of the cut off age but it is lower than six since DD was six last trip and we waited our turn.

 

[DMRick]

I have one question about the boarding. What do they do if you are traveling with children? Obviously, I can't be separated from my four year olds.

We thought we had gotten to Orlando in plenty of time to be in at the least, the second group of people to get on the plane. But we didn't..two hours wasn't enough I guess : (
We were the first people in the last group, and starting to panic, that our grands and their mom wouldn't get to sit together. As we boarded the plane, the stewardess told my daughter that they had saved three seats together, based on tickets showing two kids and one adult. I actually had booked all our tic's on line, and wasn't given a choice of childs, so I called and made sure it showed up on their records. I'm very glad I did now! They must watch out for that. By the way, the three saved seats were the last ones in the back..we were able to sit almost across from them.
Red Roof Inn is fine (not the closest, but not bad or far)..airport is off of wolf Rd, not on it..and I would suggest a test run to where you are going to park, the night before), although I think the Park and Ride is easier than the garage at the airport..or the "field" parking. You drive up, and they bring you over right away, right to your "gate". As long as you aren't coming in August (the ponies run in Saratoga) there are several hotels that accept Entertainment coupons in that area.
You aren't far from a Macaroni Grill, an Olive Garden, a Red Lobster, and a really large shopping mall.

 

[pixie dust gal!]

Hi! We live in Albany and fly SWA at least twice a year to FL. It is the only airlines we use as they are direct from ALB. They are pleasant and family oriented and you can pre-board if you have little ones too.

With regards to lodging, the posts above made some very good suggestions. If you are watching your pennies, another good suggestion is Comfort Inn and Suites on Central Ave. - 5 min. from the airport too. They just built a new bldg. where the suites are located and the entertainment rate there is $45 a night! The rooms are quite comfy with a pull out sofa (sitting area) with 2 queen beds, free continental breakfast, pool and shuttle to the airport. You can leave you car there too when it isn't a busy time of year. Believe me, I am quite picky about my hotels - this is quite nice and a true bargain for what you get (everything is new). Just make sure you request a suite in the new bldg. There are 2 great restaurants 2 min. from the hotel - "the hungry horsemen" and a mexican rest. "Garcias", and dunkin donuts - also, if you want to try the BEST homemade candy - Krause's is right across the street. The mall is 3/4 mile down the road on your left.

Anymore info, just ask.

PDG!

 

[Chuck S]

Southwest has an excellent safety record, and generally all the staff members are friendly and helpful. They also have a good on-time record. The down side IS the boarding. Even before 9-11, if flying SWA you had to arrive EARLY to the gates to get your boading passes. SWA is usually, but not ALWAYS the least expensive airline. Check prices, if other carriers are having a really good sale, you may not get the best deal on Southwest.

I wouldn't hesitate to fly them, but they are not my favorite (because of the boarding).

 

[Otisp]

I fly SWA all the time for biz and they have been great. The boarding is not an issue at all if you are traveling solo, but I am curious about taking kids. Getting to the airport early for the first leg of the flight is no problem, but what happens when you have a connecting flight that's close to the first leg?