Aussie query about Southwest air

[aussiedaisy]

hi,
we are coming from Australia and flying Air Newzealand most of the way. We are then connecting at Sanfransico to a South west flight. I haven't heard of them before, what are they like as an airline? Are they a fairly safe airline to fly with? Do you get refreshments on board or are they more a budget airline where you buy your own food and drinks. Thanks

 

[Gary M]

Southwest is a very safe and a no frills airline. They will serve you soft drinks, coffee and tea at no charge and give you small snacks. They don't have assigned seats. As soon as you get to San Francisco or if you are still in Australia 24 hours before your Southwest departure, I would get boarding passes. You can go to http://www.southwest.com/ for the boarding pass or get it at the gate in San Francisco. They give out A,B and C boarding passes. They have preboarding then they go A passes, B passes and C passes. Preboarding would be people that need help getting on the plane and then families with small children, I believe 5 years old and less.

Some of the Southwest Airline fans can maybe give you better information than I have. I think it is a great airline except for no assigned seats, while others love the no assigned seat policy.

 

[Lewisc]

VERY IMPORTANT SW does not fly out of San Francisco, they do fly out of Oakland which is in the same metropolitan area. I think most of the international flights fly into the San Francisco airport. If I'm right make sure you have enough time.

SW doesn't do interline luggage transfers. You'll have to get your own luggage and check it.

hi,
we are coming from Australia and flying Air Newzealand most of the way. We are then connecting at Sanfransico to a South west flight. I haven't heard of them before, what are they like as an airline? Are they a fairly safe airline to fly with? Do you get refreshments on board or are they more a budget airline where you buy your own food and drinks. Thanks

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

SWA is definitely a budget airline, but safe. They had no fatal accidents until December 2005:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/12/08/chicago.airplane/

Lewisc is correct, SWA does not fly out of SFO, you likely have a flight from Oakland. I hope you have several hours before leaving from there, as it is 30 miles from SFO to OAK with TONS of traffic.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/routemap.html

 

[Lewisc]

The OP might have a connecting flight in Hawaii that flies into Oakland. Even if you clear custome in Hawaii make sure you allow enough time. With the possible exception of an airtrain code share flight, you'll have to leave security, get you luggage from the carousel and then check it with SW. You'll then have to wait on the security line. SW doesn't do interline baggage transfers.

 

[NotUrsula]

Another note: unlike European (and I think, Australian) budget carriers, SWA does not sell meals onboard. They will give you complementary drinks, but if you want meals you should buy food in the Oakland terminal, wrapped "to go" if you plan to save them to eat on the plane later. SWA is perfectly fine with meals brought on board by passengers, though they do ask you to be tidy about it and keep strong odors to a minimum.