For those considering Southwest Airlines...

[jlovesee]

I know a lot of people over the years have asked about flying Southwest, and it is for that reason I have to share this story of an experience with southwest.

My husband and I have flown Southwest almost exclusively since 1999, when we became members of Rapids Rewards. We usually fly round trip about 5-6 times a year, sometimes more. (not as much as some but still) In that time we have only had one bad flight crew, and have had dozens of great experiences.

However I think today was one that did not start as a good experience, but ended up with me thinking much more highly of southwest. First a back story. in 2000 when my husband and I became engaged we were flying Northwest from Cleveland to Orlando. (long story), and due to mechnical difficulties experienced what was literally a 12 hour delay. (were supposed to arrive at Noon and didn't arrive until about Midnight).

My husband was to fly out to Dulles (IAD) today, for a media day at Kings Dominion tommorow. When he arrived at KCI today there was already a 45 minute delay on the flight to Chicago Midway (connecting to IAD). That is suprising enough as we have very rarely experienced any delays with Southwest. It turned out to be a mechanical difficulty. At first Southwest said they would hold the Dulles flight. Then the delay became longer. Instead of forcing him to take the next days flight (which would have made the trip worthless), they booked him on the direct flight to BWI (Baltimore), with no cost to change, with an A5 spot in line and a $50 GC for future flights. They also changed his return flight as flying out of BWI as well so he wouldn't have to pay the rental car fees (for returned at a different airport).

Pretty cool so far? Later on we discussed the flight he was booked to return on, the 4:35 NS flight from BWI to KCI, and discussed changing the flight to an earlier flight (as it was coming back on easter). I called Southwest, Southwest not only changed the flight to the 8:35AM flight, but did not charge me anything to change, not only that I did not have to put up one inch of fight to get the change made. I simply requested it, and it was done.

So moral of the story... Northwest, no attempt to get us anywhere near Orlando, and had to fight to even get out on the same day, with no apologies, Southwest, sure we will get this taken care of, we will get you there, and we will even allow you to change it again later in the day at no cost, plus for the trouble we will give you a $50 GC. This is yet another reason I love Southwest. Good customer service goes a LONG way.

Jennifer

 

[Pumbaa_]

thanks for sharing your story, love that Southwest!

 

[vacation_junkie]

I know a lot of people over the years have asked about flying Southwest, and it is for that reason I have to share this story of an experience with southwest.

My husband and I have flown Southwest almost exclusively since 1999, when we became members of Rapids Rewards. We usually fly round trip about 5-6 times a year, sometimes more. (not as much as some but still) In that time we have only had one bad flight crew, and have had dozens of great experiences.

However I think today was one that did not start as a good experience, but ended up with me thinking much more highly of southwest. First a back story. in 2000 when my husband and I became engaged we were flying Northwest from Cleveland to Orlando. (long story), and due to mechnical difficulties experienced what was literally a 12 hour delay. (were supposed to arrive at Noon and didn't arrive until about Midnight).

My husband was to fly out to Dulles (IAD) today, for a media day at Kings Dominion tommorow. When he arrived at KCI today there was already a 45 minute delay on the flight to Chicago Midway (connecting to IAD). That is suprising enough as we have very rarely experienced any delays with Southwest. It turned out to be a mechanical difficulty. At first Southwest said they would hold the Dulles flight. Then the delay became longer. Instead of forcing him to take the next days flight (which would have made the trip worthless), they booked him on the direct flight to BWI (Baltimore), with no cost to change, with an A5 spot in line and a $50 GC for future flights. They also changed his return flight as flying out of BWI as well so he wouldn't have to pay the rental car fees (for returned at a different airport).

Pretty cool so far? Later on we discussed the flight he was booked to return on, the 4:35 NS flight from BWI to KCI, and discussed changing the flight to an earlier flight (as it was coming back on easter). I called Southwest, Southwest not only changed the flight to the 8:35AM flight, but did not charge me anything to change, not only that I did not have to put up one inch of fight to get the change made. I simply requested it, and it was done.

So moral of the story... Northwest, no attempt to get us anywhere near Orlando, and had to fight to even get out on the same day, with no apologies, Southwest, sure we will get this taken care of, we will get you there, and we will even allow you to change it again later in the day at no cost, plus for the trouble we will give you a $50 GC. This is yet another reason I love Southwest. Good customer service goes a LONG way.

Jennifer

We LOVE southwest as well...

I kind of chuckle when I read all the posts about people complaining about Southwest charging for the "extra's..now...Southwest does not charge for luggage...like the rest of the airlines.

And the early bird check-in...is an Option....means you do not have to use it...they are not forcing you to use it...they are not "extra's"...they are options...sure you have to pay for them but its your choice to!
We always have super cheap direct flights on Southwest...half the price of flying out of Toronto !

 

[backyardponder]

Like many others, I love Southwest and have flown them 100% domestically over the past 8 years or so.

Jennifer, however, I think you need to be realistic. You are heavily involved in a travel magazine. I am sure your names are tagged by Southwest to make sure you aren't upset with them. Southwest's marketing seems quite good, obviously better than Northwest's (or should I say Delta).

 

[MinnieGi]

Southwest is the way to go!!

 

[a1tinkfans]

thanks for sharing your story, love that Southwest!

I agree!

 

[jlovesee]

I am absolutely a realist, I realize 99.999% of the world has never heard of Theme Parks Magazine. Big business travel doesn't care otherwise I would be receiving apology letters from several big travel companies, distributors and even VERY large park operational companies. I am still waiting...

We choose Southwest because they treat ALL customers well, regardless if you fly 1-2 a year, or 50 times a year. (mostly).

Jennifer

 

[Huff]

I've had pretty good experiences with Southwest as well. A few years ago we were booked from Denver to Phoenix with a layover in Las Vegas. It was $100 cheaper than the earlier direct flight so we opted for it even though it got into Phoenix rather late. On our departure day our plane was delayed enroute to Denver because of weather. We asked if we could take the direct flight rather than be delayed a hour or two. Southwest said no problem and we were home in Phoenix for dinner.

 

[disneydreamerinny]

I am so thrilled to be reading all of these great stories about Southwest. We are booked with them for the first time. We have always flown Jetblue, but southwest beat their prices by almost half, so we couldnt pass it up. I have been nervous, but it sounds like SW is the bomb! I feel much better about my decision.

 

[rgf207]

Why can't all airlines be like southwest? It seems so easy to please the customer and to make things right. It's no wonder why Southwest is the only airline to turn profits. Their top priority is customer satisfaction. That is why they have my business.

 

[trickiwoo]

Southwest is the only airline I can find with affordable direct flights from my home airport (RDU) to Orlando. This is the reason I've decided to fly Southwest on my next Disney trip! Stories like this definitely confirm this decision even more for me! Thanks for sharing!

 

[catrax]

It's nice to hear the happy stories every once in a while!

 

[bobbiwoz]

DS's family just booked their first flights on SW this evening. SW is one of the few ways they can get from Boston area (Manchester) to MCO direct these days. I'm sending them the link to your story. Maybe this will be the start of a some great trips for them!

Bobbi