Delta and Southwest? What are the differences?

[ScoutsMom21]

I get it. But your hubby gave you bad info LOL. They assign everyone a group and a number. So group A 1-60 goes first, then B, then C. Everyone lines up according to the number that you are assigned. It is all very organized and I actually find it less of a cattle call then other airlines where they just board by group and everyone in that group rushes to get to the gate first.

Yes, my husband prides himself on his brevity. However, like many things in life - in the case of explaining SWA to me, less was certainly not more. I agree with you regarding the other airlines. It's why I always try to use points to upgrade to premium economy these days. The aggressiveness at the gate can get to be a bit much.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I wonder why people think that it is going to be a "stampede"? You are not the first person to think this. Everyone is assigned a number and lines up. Everyone just walks and gets their ticket scanned and goes down the jet way like any other flight. Weird. EDIT, Hah, I just read AngiTN's post.

I still prefer an assigned seat over SW's boarding. It isn't a stampede so to speak and it does cut down on people crowding around the gate (gate lice) waiting to jump in line once their zone is called. There is always someone new who is a little confused on the boarding process but not nearly as many as there used to be. It used to be much more chaotic but as more people have flown the airline it isn't as bad as it used to be.

There are some things I do not like about SW boarding. I have had an someone try to get in front of me, if I am say A16, the A20 person will stand in front of me. They are often clutching their ticket making it impossible to see their number. Most guest guess stand there with their ticket in full view. I have no problem saying "I am A16, what number are you?" and then getting in front. It doesn't happen often but enough for me to notice the clutched and hidden ticket.

So many people now pay for EBCI it has decreased its value. I nearly fell over when I got a B. When I first started flying SW the EBCI was $15 and I would get get a pretty high A number but as the years went by the numbers dropped.

I've also noticed a s significant number of groups now only have one EBCI and then save seats. The direct flights I fly to MCO are almost always full, especially since they cut the number of direct flights out of Philly. I witnessed more than one unpleasant conversation. If you have a family of 4 the EBCI will be $100, that gets pricey but I'd rather sit altogether.

I have been asked to give up my seat to a parent and child but I always point across the aisle at my family and say "I'm sitting with my family". It can and does happen on full flights and the flights to MCO are full of families who don't want to be split up. It is something to be aware of and I always pay for EBCI for that reason.

Prices for SW have risen sharply in the last few years making the extra drive not worth the trip. They have cut the number of non-stop flights. So I have moved to Delta out of my regional airport.

There are big downsides to this. There is always a connecting flight making the flight a little more nerve racking. The planes out of my regional airport are small and the seating is cramped. What caught me by surprise was the overhead bins are much, much too small for the number of passengers and do not fit standard carry-ons. This turns out to be a bigger problem than it would seem. If you gate check your bag you will have to wait until they unload the bag which is time consuming and nerve racking if you are running for a connection. Standing on the jet way in sub zero temperatures waiting for your bag is unpleasant. I now travel with a much smaller carry-on.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

3 1/2 hour drive? Hope it's not too too bad of a drive! It's about 45mins from my house depending on traffic or nearly 42-46miles. It's still within the KC metro area but it is out in the middle of nowhere lol.

The drive there is never bad. The drive home always seems twice as long! Hahaha

 

[Lilsia]

I still prefer an assigned seat over SW's boarding. It isn't a stampede so to speak and it does cut down on people crowding around the gate (gate lice) waiting to jump in line once their zone is called. There is always someone new who is a little confused on the boarding process but not nearly as many as there used to be. It used to be much more chaotic but as more people have flown the airline it isn't as bad as it used to be.

There are some things I do not like about SW boarding. I have had an someone try to get in front of me, if I am say A16, the A20 person will stand in front of me. They are often clutching their ticket making it impossible to see their number. Most guest guess stand there with their ticket in full view. I have no problem saying "I am A16, what number are you?" and then getting in front. It doesn't happen often but enough for me to notice the clutched and hidden ticket.

So many people now pay for EBCI it has decreased its value. I nearly fell over when I got a B. When I first started flying SW the EBCI was $15 and I would get get a pretty high A number but as the years went by the numbers dropped.

I've also noticed a s significant number of groups now only have one EBCI and then save seats. The direct flights I fly to MCO are almost always full, especially since they cut the number of direct flights out of Philly. I witnessed more than one unpleasant conversation. If you have a family of 4 the EBCI will be $100, that gets pricey but I'd rather sit altogether.

I have been asked to give up my seat to a parent and child but I always point across the aisle at my family and say "I'm sitting with my family". It can and does happen on full flights and the flights to MCO are full of families who don't want to be split up. It is something to be aware of and I always pay for EBCI for that reason.

Prices for SW have risen sharply in the last few years making the extra drive not worth the trip. They have cut the number of non-stop flights. So I have moved to Delta out of my regional airport.

There are big downsides to this. There is always a connecting flight making the flight a little more nerve racking. The planes out of my regional airport are small and the seating is cramped. What caught me by surprise was the overhead bins are much, much too small for the number of passengers and do not fit standard carry-ons. This turns out to be a bigger problem than it would seem. If you gate check your bag you will have to wait until they unload the bag which is time consuming and nerve racking if you are running for a connection. Standing on the jet way in sub zero temperatures waiting for your bag is unpleasant. I now travel with a much smaller carry-on.

I always have to connect too, that is just part of living in a smaller city that is not a gateway. It is the same with most airlines, not just SWA. I do hate when people ask you to move to accommodate their family when you have purchased EB. That has happened once to me and I just explained that I paid extra to sit there. I don't have the issues with overhead since I only travel with my backpack as a carry on.

 

[rg35]

Those aren't normal mechanical reasons though. From what's being reported it stems from issues regarding how much load and weight their planes took off with over time due to incorrect guidance from ground employees which led to issues there with wear and tear on the planes at a higher rate than normal.

It's not a good thing but I don't view it the same as other horror stories out there regarding planes. It is something though that SWA has said last year they adjusted their procedures to ensure it doesn't happen but now it's playing catch up if you will from the wear and tear the planes had and it's just being compounded by the normal allowance for plane maintenance.

How about Southwest's multiple uncontained in-flight engine failures? Southwest is known for cutting corners on maintenance in order to keep planes in the air.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

How about Southwest's multiple uncontained in-flight engine failures? Southwest is known for cutting corners on maintenance in order to keep planes in the air.

I was responding very specifically to the PP's post regarding the recent issues. But by all means go a-digging away but be sure you do that for all airlines please

 

[cmwade77]

If JetBlue flys where you are, check them, they have the best customer service and usually are pretty competitive.

If not, I would make Delta the first choice, Southwest being way below them, although not as bad as United.

 

[snappy]

My priority is direct flights at the time of day we prefer to travel. I first exclude Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant from my search. The airlines with more choices for flight times from my departure airport are at the top of my list. I also like to make plans well in advance, over a year for my Utah music festival trip this year. I love having multiple trips on the horizon, and it’s almost essential since my siblings and I share looking in on our mom in her senior facility. We agreed years ago that one of us would remain in town at all times to be available for mom. We all like to travel a lot so We add travel dates on our shared travel/appointment calendar. With Southwest’s refundable senior fares instead of travel credit if we have to cancel (or a cancellation charge like most airlines), it is the optimum choice for us at this stage of our lives. It looks like we will end up with companion status for 2 years from my Southwest CC, which is icing on the cake. Every individual/family has different circumstances, so your results may vary.

 

[Denise W]

My priority is direct flights at the time of day we prefer to travel. I first exclude Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant from my search. The airlines with more choices for flight times from my departure airport are at the top of my list. I also like to make plans well in advance, over a year for my Utah music festival trip this year. I love having multiple trips on the horizon, and it’s almost essential since my siblings and I share looking in on our mom in her senior facility. We agreed years ago that one of us would remain in town at all times to be available for mom. We all like to travel a lot so We add travel dates on our shared travel/appointment calendar. With Southwest’s refundable senior fares instead of travel credit if we have to cancel (or a cancellation charge like most airlines), it is the optimum choice for us at this stage of our lives. It looks like we will end up with companion status for 2 years from my Southwest CC, which is icing on the cake. Every individual/family has different circumstances, so your results may vary.

Do you mean non stop flights (they are not the same as "direct" flights)? We always try for non stop flights as even the direct flights add quite a lot of time to the flight.
Denise

 

[snappy]

Sorry, yes, I book non-stop flights. The only flights I have booked in years where I had connecting flights weren’t ideal. One was booked at the last minute for a family health emergency requiring surgery. I missed the second flight and had to stay overnight in Houston. The second trip requiring connecting flights on a trip to WDW, the gate for the second flight was changed and my daughter and I didn’t hear the announcement. We almost missed the connecting flight. My fault obviously but it a stressful start to a vacation.

 

[Denise W]

Sorry, yes, I book non-stop flights. The only flights I have booked in years where I had connecting flights weren’t ideal. One was booked at the last minute for a family health emergency requiring surgery. I missed the second flight and had to stay overnight in Houston. The second trip requiring connecting flights on a trip to WDW, the gate for the second flight was changed and my daughter and I didn’t hear the announcement. We almost missed the connecting flight. My fault obviously but it a stressful start to a vacation.

I believe direct flights are ones where you make a stop but do not get off the plane. Others will board there but you will keep your seat and your luggage will already be onboard. I don't mind those as much as actual connecting flights where you get off, go to another gate, and board a different plane.
Denise