I'm sorry to say this but Southwest SUCKS!!

[joxer1014]

Flame all you want but today I did my daily check on SW for fares for the end of June from PHL to MCO and for the last week or two the cheapest was $135 each way and now today it jumped to $148! What in the world is going on with them? Yeah they dont charge for bags but now I can go to Airtran and get one way for $118. Even though Airtran charges $20 a bag, now it is cheaper to take Airtran with the bag fees!

I'm sorry Southwest.......YOU SUCK!!!!!

 

[kristieseem1]

That is how they can say that bags fly free. I think it is a joke. We got round trip on us air from Phl for $220.

 

[webworm]

Southwest does a lot of marketing around "bags fly free" and this seems to reel in a lot of folks. I used to fly southwest but not recently because they no longer have any great fares like they used to. In addition we usually take carryon luggage anyhow so baggage fees are not an issue!

 

[mossy1]

I will agree that Southwest prices are definitely rising. But I still use them out of PIT because the have non stops and flight times I really like. I would love to have more non stop choices from there but it's not available to me. I also checked almost every day and did find some drops for my dates so now I have a credit for a Nov trip!!

 

[TheMorgans]

We have almost always used Southwest, but NOT this time. I booked United this week for our Sept/Oct trip. United was $160 pp r/t and Southwest was $278 pp (STL/MCO). Even with the free bags it was a no brainer. For our family that is a difference of $708. That's a whole lot of bags - LOL I realize that we are still 6 months out, but all of the SW flights are almost double the price what we normally pay.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Eventually Airtran will be completely gone and you'll have Southwest or other airlines to choose from.

Enjoy it while you can!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Remember nothing in life is free, it's all about perception. Free dining isn't really free, it's just a discount, no different then 30% or 40% off, but gets much more attention because the word free carries more marketing weight.

 

[Jestocost]

We have almost always used Southwest, but NOT this time. I booked United this week for our Sept/Oct trip. United was $160 pp r/t and Southwest was $278 pp (STL/MCO). Even with the free bags it was a no brainer. For our family that is a difference of $708. That's a whole lot of bags - LOL I realize that we are still 6 months out, but all of the SW flights are almost double the price what we normally pay.

Of course that's also comparing a flight with a change of planes on United with likely a non-stop on SWA.

 

[bumbershoot]

A company having a higher rate makes them "suck"?

Usually Alaska is cheaper than Virgin America going to LAX, but right now VA is having a sale...that doesn't make Alaska suck.

 

[aubriee]

Eventually Airtran will be completely gone and you'll have Southwest or other airlines to choose from.

Enjoy it while you can!

True! I used to always fly Air Tran out of DFW because they were cheaper and had nonstop flights to MCO. As of this past Nov 22nd, Southwest pulled them out of Dallas. Now airfare has skyrocketed out of Dallas. Air Tran used to keep AA prices in line (Southwest out of Dallas Lovefield has always been high, plus they can't offer nonstop flights to MCO due to the Wright Ammendment). Flights that used to routinely be less than $200.00 just a few months ago are now running over $400.00. I'd give anything to have Air Tran back.

 

[StrwLady]

True! I used to always fly Air Tran out of DFW because they were cheaper and had nonstop flights to MCO. As of this past Nov 22nd, Southwest pulled them out of Dallas. Now airfare has skyrocketed out of Dallas. Air Tran used to keep AA prices in line (Southwest out of Dallas Lovefield has always been high, plus they can't offer nonstop flights to MCO due to the Wright Ammendment). Flights that used to routinely be less than $200.00 just a few months ago are now running over $400.00. I'd give anything to have Air Tran back.

I have not seen $200 from DFW to MCO in ages. Now grant it we now fly peak times to Orlando. Last year for Dallas area schools let out June 3rd (if memory serves me right). 6 months prior to my trip AA flights through June 2 were around $275, June 3rd and past were $400. Southwest was a little cheaper but came with stop no change or stop change planes. Last year I sucked it up and paid for AA. (and believe me I know how to find good fares)

This year 3 months out from trip AA fares $400 and Southwest $250. So this time it was a no brainer who I would book.

I think it seems like Southwest fares rise often because the lowest fares are snapped up quickly. I know if you want a low Southwest fare from Dallas to New Orleans you pretty much need to book when 6 months in advance the day travel opens for your time frame.

BTW the Wright Amendment restrictions will drop in 2014! Take that AA!!

 

[aubriee]

I have not seen $200 from DFW to MCO in ages. Now grant it we now fly peak times to Orlando. Last year for Dallas area schools let out June 3rd (if memory serves me right). 6 months prior to my trip AA flights through June 2 were around $275, June 3rd and past were $400. Southwest was a little cheaper but came with stop no change or stop change planes. Last year I sucked it up and paid for AA. (and believe me I know how to find good fares)

This year 3 months out from trip AA fares $400 and Southwest $250. So this time it was a no brainer who I would book.

I think it seems like Southwest fares rise often because the lowest fares are snapped up quickly. I know if you want a low Southwest fare from Dallas to New Orleans you pretty much need to book when 6 months in advance the day travel opens for your time frame.

BTW the Wright Amendment restrictions will drop in 2014! Take that AA!!

Before Air Tran left Nov 22nd, I very seldom paid more than $200.00 for r/t airfare to MCO. I usually paid $148.00-$198.00. However, I don't go during peak time (usually fly early May, Sept, Oct, and early Dec). Dec 2010 I paid $148.00, May 2011 I paid $198.00, and Sept I paid $158.00. For my Nov 26th/Dec 4th flights I did pay $258.00, but that was just a few days after Air Tran left. American had been running over $400.00 for those dates, but one Tuesday night dropped their prices to $258.00. That was the most I've ever paid for DFW-MCO flights, but grabbed them because they had been running so high. I did the same thing for our Feb 4th/11th trip. They had been running over $400.00 on all carriers, but one night AA dropped them to $178,00, so I grabbed them and the next day they jumped back up to over $400.00 and never dropped. Southwest, Continental, and Delta never dropped below $400.00. Spirit gets bad reviews but they are starting nonstop flights DFW-MCO the middle of this month (March). Even with all the fees they charge, their $163.00 r/t nonstop flights still beat everyone else's prices right now. When I booked them for my May and Sept trips, everyone else's fares were over $400.00. I'm still looking at fares for my Oct 27th-Nov 3rd trip.

I just checked fares for my Oct 27th-Nov 3rd trip. Southwest flights just go through Nov 2nd, but if I put in a Friday (11/2) return instead of a Sat (11/3) return the price is over $450.00. For the other airlines that fly out of DFW or Lovefield the prices are: American $476.00, Delta $500.00, US Airways $518.00, Frontier $331.00, and Spirit $163.00. What's funny is Spirit is by far the cheapest, even with all their fees added in and are the only one to offer nonstop flights, besides American. With Frontier you have to fly northwest to have a layover in Denver, before you then fly southeast to get to Orlando. lol Why the heck would I want to fly from Dallas to Denver, then Orlando? lol

 

[goofy4tink]

Poor SW....years ago, they had a 'lock' on gas prices, so they could keep their fares way down. Then, that contract went away, so the fares started inching up. They got to the point where they were pretty similar to other airlines. Now....it's what you see.
BUT.....I still love SW. I have had good luck flying Airtran but have yet to find a direct flight to Florida from Boston. Airtran just doesn't have any. And, if I want to lock in my seat choice, I have to pay for it, and my checked bags.
All things being equal, I'll fly SW. But many times, if I'm booking last minute, Airtran is who I go with.

 

[StrwLady]

Before Air Tran left Nov 22nd, I very seldom paid more than $200.00 for r/t airfare to MCO. I usually paid $148.00-$198.00. However, I don't go during peak time (usually fly early May, Sept, Oct, and l

Aubriee I miss the days of going to Disney off peak times. When my son was younger I would take him out of school for a week in Sept/Oct. I remember once getting a flight on AA for $130 round trip. When he hit 4th grade the work he had to make up was much more then the past years so we decided that we could no longer take him out of school I miss that time of year.

Last year when I booked the flight for my son and I my heart hurt to pay $400 but I was lucky I got it when I did. In the weeks following booking it just kept going up. The first week of the trip was just my son and I and then my hubby joined us for the 2nd week. i was able to get his flight for a whole $100 less whoop de do! LOL

To add insult to injury in April of last year I tore the achilles tendon off of my heel bone and had to have reconstructive surgery in May. So that changed the trip from the beginning of June to the first week of July. We lucked out and got similar fares but ended up paying $500 in change fees. AA has no prevision for waving change fares because of medical issues. Which is another reason Southwest looks better to me every day.

I do agree that sometimes Southwest fares to Orlando are not worth the extra travel time. I saw that last year. Their fares were only a little lower.

 

[Missytara]

My dad has been slowly cleaning out his house, getting ready to downsize, and found a few items from our first Disney trip - a father/daughter trip when he was on a business trip to Cape Canaveral.

He had the plane ticket and my "wings" from United Airlines - November 1971. He had to pay for my airfare. It was $59.54 roundtrip from PHL to MCO and we went first class.

Ahhhhh, those were the days.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I don't know what the problem is. I'm not a Southwest fan, but a price increase of $13.00 is not very much. All airlines are constantly adjusting their prices.

What is going on with them? They are a business, trying to make a profit! What's wrong with that?

 

[Beemitchcowski]

Keep an eye on their rates..they go up and down..I've noticed they go "up" towards the end of the week and the weekend. What's nice about SW is that you can "rebook" for a cheaper rate and get a credit that can be used within the year...or...if another flight opens up you can change it..I was able to change to a better flight and get a few dollars back in a credit..not bad....the "free" luggage...yes...there flights might be a little higher..but I like knowing that I can check 2 bags per person....no we don't use 2 bags per person..but its nice having that flexibility..especially since I like to bring our snacks/nonperishables/dry foods with us in a suitcase...that way I don't have to think...GEEZE...I'm spending $25 dollars to send Mac n cheese and bags of microwave popcorn to Disney!

 

[dudspizza]

I don't know what the problem is. I'm not a Southwest fan, but a price increase of $13.00 is not very much. All airlines are constantly adjusting their prices.

What is going on with them? They are a business, trying to make a profit! What's wrong with that?

And, apparently to the OP, that means they suck.

I actually opened the thread expecting the OP to be upset about an actual flight they were on..... instead they are complaining about prices......

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Flame all you want but today I did my daily check on SW for fares for the end of June from PHL to MCO and for the last week or two the cheapest was $135 each way and now today it jumped to $148! What in the world is going on with them? Yeah they dont charge for bags but now I can go to Airtran and get one way for $118. Even though Airtran charges $20 a bag, now it is cheaper to take Airtran with the bag fees!

I'm sorry Southwest.......YOU SUCK!!!!!

Are you for real?

You do understand that you are still flying SW don't you? SO much for that high standard you set. (SW fullly owns AirTran regardless of the name on your plane all pricing and routes are now controlled by SW. So what they did was push you over to AirTran... in thier mind cash equals cash LOL!) \ (And the truth is that AirTran was probably only cheaper because they and Delta are having a small sale. Delta and AirTran still react to each other. SO far Delta seems to be trying to pretend SW isn't around... not sure how long they can play that game!)

As for "what is going on?" it's called PROFIT! Contrary to the view of a lot of folks airlines exist to make money. So I guess in your world it 'sucks" but if you want to have the option to fly airlines to Orlando you better hope more of them "suck"

 

[Lewisc]

Add me to the group of posters who equate "sucks" with a specific service issue. To most of us the OP isn't really saying Southwest SUCKS but rather is saying SW is expensive.

The price of fuel is up. Reduced competition means Southwest no longer has to offer money losing fares in some markets.

Southwest doesn't always offer the lowest fares. If another airline has fares and flight times which work better for you book it.

Southwest doesn't have a change fee. Southwest works great for passengers who need flexibility. Decide how much, if any, extra you're willing to pay for that kind of flexibility. SW still lets you get credit if the fare goes down.