First time flying Southwest

[DCTooTall]

I've traditionally flown Delta whenever I fly (In part because I'm an Atlanta Native and they were the best airline in town, and in part because it's one of the preferred carriers for my current company), however I just booked a flight with Southwest for my trip to the WDW in November. The cost difference, slightly better flight times, and the fact I could get a nonstop out of a slightly closer (and cheaper long term parking) airport were the deciding factors.


So now that I have for the first time strayed from my traditional preferred airline, Is there anything in particular I should know about flying Southwest? or Flying Southwest into/out of MCO in particular? I know they don't do reserved seating, so I opted for the Early Bird checkin option since I know i likely won't have the ability to check in at the 24hr mark while in Florida and wanted to ensure I was able to get a decent seat on my return flight (I'm on the tall side, so Leg room is EXTREMELY important to me on a flight).


Any information would be greatly appreciated. It may help calm my nerves a bit since I'm truly entering an unknown situation here.

 

[1tufgt]

I've traditionally flown Delta whenever I fly (In part because I'm an Atlanta Native and they were the best airline in town, and in part because it's one of the preferred carriers for my current company), however I just booked a flight with Southwest for my trip to the WDW in November. The cost difference, slightly better flight times, and the fact I could get a nonstop out of a slightly closer (and cheaper long term parking) airport were the deciding factors.


So now that I have for the first time strayed from my traditional preferred airline, Is there anything in particular I should know about flying Southwest? or Flying Southwest into/out of MCO in particular? I know they don't do reserved seating, so I opted for the Early Bird checkin option since I know i likely won't have the ability to check in at the 24hr mark while in Florida and wanted to ensure I was able to get a decent seat on my return flight (I'm on the tall side, so Leg room is EXTREMELY important to me on a flight).


Any information would be greatly appreciated. It may help calm my nerves a bit since I'm truly entering an unknown situation here.

Nothing's really different with southwest compared to other airlines other than the non reserved seating. So hopefully you will get a low-mid A boarding pass and won't have issues finding a good seat.

You said you a little tall so I would check into seatguru.com and check out the seating for your flight which will give you a suggestions on the seats. Southwest complete fleet is 737's so it's seating arrangement is 3 & 3.

 

[poohbear2]

This described me a few years ago. Once I started with Southwest I stayed with them. Ironically, my next trip is back with Delta due to the great rate and airport that I am flying into. Southwest is great and better now that you line up according to the number on your ticket. Have a super trip!

 

[magicaldisney]

We are also Delta users to do it being the preferred airline for my DHs company. However, our March trip we for the first time flew Southwest and were extremely happy with them. We actually loved the staff. The flight attendants were wonderful. The one difference, as you already know, is the boarding process. We also did Early Bird check in at it worked great. We had a short layover where we did not depart the plane. When others departed at that layover we just stayed in our seats. When they had all gotten off the plane we were told we could change seats. So, though you are nonstop, if it is coming from somewhere else first, there may already be passengers on the plane taking up the particular seats you are looking for.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I'm on the tall side, so Leg room is EXTREMELY important to me on a flight).

If you're flying SWA,the legroom is the same for all seats, except for some (not all) of the seats in the emergency exit row and possibly some of the bulkhead seats.

 

[Bobo912]

Other than the boarding process the main differences I see between SWA and other airlines is that you won't get any emails before your flight telling you that the schedule has changed because they almost never change their schedule and they seem to be on time more often.

 

[1tufgt]

If you're flying SWA,the legroom is the same for all seats, except for some (not all) of the seats in the emergency exit row and possibly some of the bulkhead seats.

I can tell you which seats have more room, rows 1-10 on the right side of the plane has 1" more leg room than the left side of the plane, also you know most leg room is in the exit rows and the 1st row of each side.

 

[danielryan]

As a few have said, Southwest does not reserve seats. Its a cattle call and is based on when you check in. This only becomes a problem if you are traveling in a larger group and you need to all sit together.

I don't love Southwest, but they are okay. If it is a flight I know will be packed and I know I may not be able to check in exactly 24 hours before the flight I will utililze their early-bird check in option which costs $10 per ticket. This ensures boarding very close to the beginning. (if you compare the savings you realize from not paying for checked luggage, the $10 is worth it!)