Frills versus No Frills?

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Okay, so I have what might seem as a dumb question...

I haven't flown a "frills" airline in over 10 years... instead, I've been flying Southwest, a "no-frills" airline, since they provide a non-stop flight for $49-$59 each way to where I want to go. For that price, I've always gotten great service, a decent snack pack, with free non-alcoholic beverages.

Since it's been so long, I've forgotten... what are the "frills" that differenciate airlines such as Southwest, from like, American Airlines, United, or Delta?

Obviously, assigned seating is a difference for Southwest... but are the occassional movie, and lovely airline food the only thing?

 

[Doug7856]

From my perspective you get:

1) Flight delays
2) Grumpy flight attendants
3) High prices
4) Peanuts (or a sandwich if you want to pay for it)
5) Entertainment on cross country routes
6) Assigned Seats in the back of the plane (unless you are a stratosphere frequent flyer)
7) Frequent schedule changes

Seriously, we flew US Airways for the first time in years and we felt that the service, friendliness, and reliability of Southwest beat any "frills" that US Airways could offer. I'd love to hear if anyone feels differently.


(Edited to correct my poor grammar!)

 

[Kitty 34]

I have flown both and have had no problems with the no-frill flights. Have had very positive experiences with no frills such as Spirit Airlines.

 

[CarolA]

Once you get past the assigned seats... there aren't many differences. The "frills" tend to have a better FF program if you want to use your ticket internationally.

Airline food is a thing of the past except on REALLY long flights. On some planes you might get a movie, but it is probably not something you wanted to see LOL!

 

[safetymom]

If no frills is working for you then stick with it. The frills don't have that much more going for them.

I am lucky that I am a preferred freq. flyer on 2 airlines so I get better seats and upgraded to first a lot. Other than that I don't see much difference with a frills.

If USAirways goes away I will be thinking long and hard about no frills like Jet Blue.

 

[snoopy5386]

the only real advantage for me is the movie on a long flight (cross-country). But if you have a laptop/portable dvd player than you can bring your own movies. I actually prefer southwest for seating because I can almost always score emergency exit row by just getting there early enough

 

[pumpkinboy]

Yes, the border between "no-frills" of discount airlines and the old "legacy" carriers continues to get fuzzier. There are discounters like JetBlue where you get leather seats, more legroom and individual entertainment units in each seat, conditions that blow the doors off higher priced legacy carriers (pity they don't have food on JetBlue tho, but that's a decision I can certainly understand). These types of airlines are why Delta introduced Song (similar conditions) and United now had Ted (not sure about conditions there). I'll take a Song flight over a normal Delta flight (or USAir or United or American...) any day of the week; better service, better food, more comfortable seats and a fun attitude.

But for assigned seating, I expect that the old Legacy carriers are much more similar to SWA these days. Since SWA does such a great job on the MCO-MHT route that works for you Tyler, then by all means keep using it. If you don't mind coming down to Boston tho, Song and JetBlue are really nice options for direct flights too.

 

[Chicago526]

If you want to use your frequent flyer miles to go to Hawaii or an international destination, you have that option.

Can use FF miles on partner carriers. I have United miles, and can use them on Luftansa, Air Canada, and USAirways to name a few.

Assigned seats. If you must sit together or have an aisle/window, front/back, left/right, you odds are better, and you don't have to check-in online at mid-night or get to the airport 2 hours early to do it.

Power ports for your laptop/dvd player on some carriers.

Movies or short features on longer flights.

Option to purchase a sandwich or salad on a long flight, sometimes it's even free.

First class available, if you want to use miles to upgrade.

You might be able to fly on another airline if your flight is canceled due to a non-weather related reason. All the big carriers will accept eachothers tickets. No one takes SW, JetBlue, AirTran, etc. With the no-frills, your stuck until the plane is fixed or they can get you another one. If you are on United, you might be able to fly on the next American flight.

If none of the above are important to you, then you are correct, there is no differance. But don't assume that the big airlines are always more expensive than the little guys, I've seen many a fare on a big airline lower than the little guy, and the big carrier is non-stop to boot! Always compare prices!