Flying from BUFFALO - Southwest vs JetBlue, or ???

[biggroofy]

Traveling to Orlando this March. I am hoping to fly from BUF since it is cheaper and less hassle. We did southwest last year, it was great except I cannot get used to the LUV - get your boarding number 24 hours in advance. It is a little stressful for our family (6), that we had to remember to go online exactly 24-hour in advance in order to sit together.

What about JetBlue? Can we pre-assign seat? Any comments regarding Southwest vs JetBlue experience?

Also any other airlines I should consider? Thanks!

 

[disneyfan2]

SW has a new pre-booking so that you do not have to be at the computer at the 24hr mark. We did not do it on our trip and still got A's, but if you pau $10PP each way then you will not have to be at the computer, as they are generated before the 24 hr mark.... Could come in handy for the flights home so you don't need to be at the computer. Not guaranteed an A but it would be better boarding then not doing.

I have never flown JetBlue or Airtrain but have a friend who loves jetblue

 

[Janice B]

We flew Jet Blue in December and my DH and I loved it. We are also flying Jet Blue in August .
You actually get to pick your seats when you make your resevation (no extra charge). They dont charge you as of yet for your luggage and we never had any problems with them. Flight was on time and times never changed. They also have TV's on the back of every seat which was great to pass the time. Have never flown SW so cant compare, but I have flown Air Tran and they are ok as well but if I had a chose between the two, I'd definently fly Jet Blue.

 

[minnie56]

I prefer JB over SW but SW have better cancellation penalties should that become necessary. Both are very good tho.

 

[pjpoohbear]

I have flown Jetblue, Airtran and Southwest.

I love Jetblue, all around favourite. Free 1st bag, free seating choice, great non-stop timing. And even if you have a connection in JFK, the new terminal is wonderful.

Airtran, loved the chance to upgrade at the gate to business for $69 (actually $63 as I had paid a $6 assigned seat fee) on a non-stop one way flight. (it was part of my birthday gift to myself.) I now take into account the newer 1st bag fee when looking at the flight cost.

Southwest, had a great fare of just $59+fees each way, didn't mind the 24hr pre-check in as a solo, it really didn't matter what my seating choice was. Its a 2.75 hr flight, not much of a hardship. I would avoid connecting flights in stormy weather, just because of the show Airline, about southwest, freaked me out about missed flights.

 

[michelle1]

We have flown with JB and SW and they are both good airlines. We prefer non stop flights which SW tends to offer more of but if the price was the same or close for both we would choose JB. They have preassigned seating, the seats are nicer and seem roomier, and the TVs are a huge bonus.

 

[lizzyb]

We usually fly Southwest because they usually have the better deal but we prefer Jet blue because of their seats(more room) and the tvs in front of everyone (great for kids). Jet blue also has check in at the resorts. Luckily this time Jet Blue had the best deal so we are flying with them both ways.

ETA.. you also choose your seats when you book with Jet Blue which is nice for a family.

 

[cdnmickeylover]

We've only flown Southwest and we've had no problems with them. We like that you can take 2 bags for free each. We don't mind the 24 hour checkin.

Also if you are staying at Pop Century you can check your bags at the resort.

 

[iluveeyore]

Love Southwest, no bag fees, and no problem seating our whole family checking in 24 hours in advance. Even with Airtran we had to check in 24 hours early and ended up at the back of the plane with assigned seats for the 8 in our party last summer because we didn't pay extra (plus we had to pay for bags). Much easier to get the A or B boarding group and then we could choose where we sit together, no stress at all. Plus southwest had more non-stop flights which made travelling so much easier.

 

[mlegerto]

Personally I have used both of these airlines almost exclusively in the last 8 years flying from Buffalo instead of Toronto.

I prefer to use JetBlue because I like choosing my seat in advance and knowing where I will get the sit. I also enjoy the TV's on the back of every chair because it distracts me from the excitement that have in getting to WDW or getting home.

Southwest has always been good to be and I do find there 24hr check in process a little stressful - more so on the way home because I have to be prepared to check in online while Im enjoying my last full day at WDW. HOWEVER, I have been very lucky the last few times. I called down to the front desk of my hotel (OKW or SS for the last 2 trips) and they checked me in online at the desired time and printed my tickets out for me. I then was able to pick them up when I returned to the hotel by visiting the front desk.


I usually base which airline I take on who is offering the better price or the better time (departure time). I don't feel that one is BETTER than the other or anything so I go which whatever one if better priced for that current trip.


PS: ALSO keep in mind that if you use JetBlue on your way home you can use the checkin at the hotel

 

[dsneygirl]

SW has my loyalty because of their unbelieveably hassle free rebook/cancell etc policies. we have even rebooked to a later flight the night before coming home. Also like another PP said they tend to have the most direct flights.

I guess because I have done it enough times the boarding on SW doesn't faze me at all. Never had any issues.

 

[biggroofy]

Thanks everyone.

I guess we will go with JetBlue. Two more questions -

1. If I can pick my seat during reservation, do I still have to login 24 hours prior to departure to print boarding pass

2. Where are the seats with more legroom

 

[HotdogDncrs]

With JetBlue - you don't have to check in online or 24 hours before. When you book your flights online - there is a barcode that is printed right on your itinerary - this is in effect the boarding pass that you need to show at the check in counter. Makes life so much simpler - book, print, and you are ready.

We always upgrade to the extra leg room seats - even though the flight is short, the extra room really makes a difference (especially when travelling with a lap baby like we have done the past few times!). The location of these seats depends on the type of aircraft being used. When you book your flight and get to the page where you select your seats, it will show the extra leg room seat availability.

Hope this helps