Jet Blue vs Southwest

[Broncobilly83]

OK, last December, my fiance and I took Southwest down from DC to Orlando, and it was a smooth flight. Going back was a nightmare due to the bowl games being over and almost everyone flying back was via Southwest, so we got to our gate with literally minutes to spare after the 1.5 hour wait through the ticket counter and baggage check-in (Expedition Everest was shorter )

Well, pricing plane tickets for our return trip in October for the Food/Wine festival, it seems Jet Blue is relatively cheap while Southwest has not opened dates past mid August.

My question is, outside of the added convenience of being able to "check-in" baggage at the hotel (POFQ) for the return trip if I am flying Jet Blue, which airline would you do?

 

[TheWog]

If it is cheaper and no difference in airport for you JB all the way. You still get a bag checked with no charge. You choose your seats ahead of time. Televisions in the seats with XM radio as well. Go with JB and enjoy.

 

[Elmo007]

Both are great airlines. Jetblue has the benefit of the reserved seats and TV although you ar etalking a short flight. SW is usually very customer friendly (unless you are kevin smith). Personally i do not like resort check in.

It usually for me comes to the airport. I prefer SW in Islip compared to JB in JFK as there are shorter security lines and no ground delays

 

[LidoDeck]

Non-stop? This is the biggest factor for me. If both offer non-stop (or comparable itineraries), I'd go with JetBlue for seat assignments. One checked bag is almost always plenty for us. In flight entertainment would be nice, but not a significant factor.

We used to fly a lot and chose Southwest for their Rapid Rewards. But that program now has much less appeal and no longer a consideration.

 

[ratmaster]

Jetblue, Jetblue, Jetblue..and by the way, I voted for Jetblue.

 

[ancestry]

Another JetBlue here. I don't like the cattle call seating process that SW uses. Blech.

 

[goofy4tink]

SW looks to be 'participating' at all resorts by next fall...most are coming online this spring. So, you would be able to use RAC even if flying SW.

If everything is equal...which is seldom the case...I would go with Jetblue. I like SW, and fly them often. But, if flight times are about the same and fares are about the same, I will take the free entertainment with JB.
I have no problem with the boarding process at SW. It is much improved since the 'cattle call' days. Really not all that different than other airlines. When flying those other airlines, it seems that everyone hops up and clogs the boarding area, hoping to get a 'jump' in the process.

If you are checking just one bag pp, then JB won't cost you any more. You get that first bag free.

 

[DaniB]

We have never flown before and choose JetBlue as it seems to be more kid friendly. TV screens on the back of each seat, lots of channels, movies, radio. Free snacks & drinks. Fares seemed cheaper when I scoped out both sites. Seats apparently wider, more leg room and more comfortable.

And with each person being able to check-in 1 suitcase, and bring on the plane a carry-on PLUS 1 personal item - that more than takes care of our luggage needs.

Southwest's website seemed to make a big deal about persons of larger sizes. I'm almost down to a size 20 but worried about their policy.

Dani

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

We just went through this decision too and picked JB because I didn't want to wait for SWA's Oct. schedule to open. The price I found on JB was pretty good -- not as cheap as I've seen it but I could live with it and they had flight times that worked really well for us. Also, I knew that our dates were set in stone (on our last two trips we picked SWA so we'd have the flexibility to change our dates without a fee -- good thing because we did have to make changes both times).

 

[n2mm]

check those JB fares. Mine dropped this morning. I saved $35 a ticket for my May trip. I'm excited that my fare dropped from $94 to $59.

 

[wdhinn89]

Prefer JetBlue

1- TV's
2- pick your seats upon booking
3- RAC (if going to Disneyworld)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Everything doesn't even have to be equal. Southwest could be cheaper. I don't even care that I would HAVE to change planes (no nonstop flights between MCO and BOS). The ONLY thing that would make me choose Southwest over JetBlue would be if Southwest moved to Terminal E at Logan.

 

[scard192]

I like SW, but LOVE Jet Blue.

 

[Lewisc]

SW is better if you might want to change your flights. Otherwise look at price and schedule. Exact same schedule and fare? Go with JB for the TV.

 

[Tink3rbell86]

I voted Jetblue! i LOVE jetblue. The seats are wider and have more leg room. I find the seats Much more comfy. They have tons of Snaks, soda and dunkin' donuts coffee and tea! the TV make the flight FLY by and everyone is soo friendly! I always find a good price! i fly from JFK and have never had a problem with delays. Jetblue have its own terminal there. Security is quick and theres also lots to do while you wait. good luck! Let us know what you pick!!!

 

[clanmcculloch]

Everything doesn't even have to be equal. Southwest could be cheaper. I don't even care that I would HAVE to change planes (no nonstop flights between MCO and BOS). The ONLY thing that would make me choose Southwest over JetBlue would be if Southwest moved to Terminal E at Logan.

I'm looking at flights right now from BOS to MCO and I see nonstop flights on Jetblue. I'm torn over whether or not to book because Southwest hasn't released their fares for August yet and I'd like to be able to add a couple days but it would cost a lot for me to do so with the prices on those other days on JetBlue. I prefer MHT over BOS because I live 15 minutes from MHT and it's a nice small easy airport.

 

[TheWog]

I'm looking at flights right now from BOS to MCO and I see nonstop flights on Jetblue. I'm torn over whether or not to book because Southwest hasn't released their fares for August yet and I'd like to be able to add a couple days but it would cost a lot for me to do so with the prices on those other days on JetBlue. I prefer MHT over BOS because I live 15 minutes from MHT and it's a nice small easy airport.

Pull the trigger. You won't be sorry. Then you too will become a repeat customer of Border Limo.....

 

[kaytieeldr]

I've never used Border Limo - I say pull the trigger just because it's JetBlue

More on my experience with them. First, I ended up not going to Disney World in 2009. I had a trip planned (booked BounceBack in 2008). Things seemed fine at work. My boss asked me if I was still planning to take my - approved - trip. I bought the tickets in May. I even considered buying JetBlue's job loss insurance for something like, at the time, $15 but decided everything was a "go".

I got laid off June 2 (and no, I don't believe it wasn't already known in May and think if my boss was the 'friend' she claimed, a simple comment like "are you sure you want to do that?" might have been nice - but that's a thread for another time ). I pondered for a while, but reality took over and I canceled the trip. Surprisingly - and I CAN'T claim this wasn't a glitch, or that everyone/anyone else would have the same experience - JetBlue only penalized me $50, not the $100 I expected from all information on their site combined with what I paid for my round-trip fare.

Anyway, fantasy once again overtook reality and I ended up using that credit, plus a voucher, plus a discount code, plus a surprisingly low fare already... and flying round-trip to Las Vegas for $69 actual/current cash outlay!!!!!!

 

[clanmcculloch]

Pull the trigger. You won't be sorry. Then you too will become a repeat customer of Border Limo.....

I've never used Border Limo - I say pull the trigger just because it's JetBlue

More on my experience with them. First, I ended up not going to Disney World in 2009. I had a trip planned (booked BounceBack in 2008). Things seemed fine at work. My boss asked me if I was still planning to take my - approved - trip. I bought the tickets in May. I even considered buying JetBlue's job loss insurance for something like, at the time, $15 but decided everything was a "go".

I got laid off June 2 (and no, I don't believe it wasn't already known in May and think if my boss was the 'friend' she claimed, a simple comment like "are you sure you want to do that?" might have been nice - but that's a thread for another time ). I pondered for a while, but reality took over and I canceled the trip. Surprisingly - and I CAN'T claim this wasn't a glitch, or that everyone/anyone else would have the same experience - JetBlue only penalized me $50, not the $100 I expected from all information on their site combined with what I paid for my round-trip fare.

Anyway, fantasy once again overtook reality :lol: and I ended up using that credit, plus a voucher, plus a discount code, plus a surprisingly low fare already... and flying round-trip to Las Vegas for $69 actual/current cash outlay!!!!!!

If the flights I want on the days I really want were cheaper then I'd probably already have booked the JB flights, and yes, become a Border Limo customer. I'd like those extra few days though so that's why I'm torn. As it is, the flights I want on the not as great days are already at $149/person/direction. I really would like to try JB because of the extra room and TVs but the prices just aren't there for getting me to book quite yet.

Are discount codes or vouchers readily available for JB?

That really stinks about your former boss. While business is business and she may not have been able to say anything, it was wrong to encourage your trip and not at least suggest thinking about it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Eh, thanks - I like my new job better anyway. Job aside, I just like NOT driving in and out of Boston every day! A tank of gas now lasts me about two weeks, even though the actual traffic-free drive time is the same (granted, this job is closer to home, but the speed limit is a LOT slower).

And, while this employer won't cover my education expenses because I'm not going for a degree (right now), my schedule allows me to take both morning and evening classes - and get the certificate in, um, well, by the end of August Five and a half months.