jetblue or southwest??

[jennyjinx3]

Hi
looking at flying from Buffalo for our next trip instead of Toronto (way too $$$) and was looking for opinions on Jetblue and Southwest?? Both have non stop flights, but it looks like Jetblue has better entertainment and snacks. Both are a plus for our family (me, DH, DD7, DD5, DD3). Any info??

 

[Daisy-J&D]

Do you pay for bags on jet blue? I think you get 2 free on Southwest. I also like how you have the option to pay in advance for early check-in with SW. I wouldn't base the decision entirely on entertainment. It's not a long flight. We flew AC and on the way back our in-flight entertainment wasn't working. It was annoying but we dealt with it.
We're in the same boat as you. This year we seem to be priced out of flying from Toronto.

 

[monkey30]

never been with JB but liked Southwest. They crew was great with us, and neither had flown in a long time, I was NERVOUS!!

 

[jennyjinx3]

Do you pay for bags on jet blue? I think you get 2 free on Southwest. I also like how you have the option to pay in advance for early check-in with SW. I wouldn't base the decision entirely on entertainment. It's not a long flight. We flew AC and on the way back our in-flight entertainment wasn't working. It was annoying but we dealt with it.
We're in the same boat as you. This year we seem to be priced out of flying from Toronto.

Jetblue site says 1st bag free, we would probably only have one each so that's ok. Toronto prices are crazy, they may get better but will still never be as good as Buffalo.

 

[jennyjinx3]

never been with JB but liked Southwest. They crew was great with us, and neither had flown in a long time, I was NERVOUS!!

did southwest have inflight entertainment (tv's)? Sadly we rely on those kid show and movies to help get us through, at least with the younger one.

 

[kwannabee]

same thing here...flying out of ottawa was ridiculous...we booked out of syracuse with jetblue...wayyyyy cheaper plus i was able to tack the two weekends on either end so we'll be away 9 days instead of 7.

we leave in a month but from what i understand each person gets one free baggage up to 22lbs, plus a carry on...PLUS a personal bag like a purse...not sure if that includes a backpack.

i guess as long as it all fits in the dimensions and can be stowed properly. the food and snacks look okay but we wont starve over a 3 hour flight

 

[jennyjinx3]

same thing here...flying out of ottawa was ridiculous...we booked out of syracuse with jetblue...wayyyyy cheaper plus i was able to tack the two weekends on either end so we'll be away 9 days instead of 7.

we leave in a month but from what i understand each person gets one free baggage up to 22lbs, plus a carry on...PLUS a personal bag like a purse...not sure if that includes a backpack.

i guess as long as it all fits in the dimensions and can be stowed properly. the food and snacks look okay but we wont starve over a 3 hour flight

when did you book? I am looking at going in September but I know it is too early still.

 

[roxysmum123]

Just booked for jet blue and am excited for a few reasons
1. still have a free checked bag
2. better entertainment (there's no entertainment on southwest)
3. could choose my seats as soon as i booked, no cattle chute for me!

I usually fly Southwest, but I'm very excited about trying Jet Blue. Yes, I had to do a 2 stage flight (BUF-JFK, JFK-MCO), but price was a little less than Southwest and WAY less than toronto.

 

[hoihoi]

I fly Jet Blue as often as I can. Friendly staff, good entertainment (SpongeBob always seems to be on) and they get that a flight to Orlando is going to be family centric. I also enjoy the extra leg room and booking our seats at the time we book our flight.

 

[Whereisalyssa]

We always try to book through JetBlue, in fact we've already booked direct Jetblue flights for our trip this august! they're generally cheaper, you get to choose your seats, the crew is usually very friendly, 1st checked bag free PLUS carry on and personal bag, AND the entertainment is great i love jet blue!

 

[kwannabee]

when did you book? I am looking at going in September but I know it is too early still.

we booked in august for the following february. i have noticed that the price has gone up closer to the date, so im glad i booked early! but like i said cost wise it was waaaayyyy cheaper than flying out of canada!

 

[mtmbyck]

I have flown JB out of Buffalo before and now that I live in Ottawa I am flying JB out of Suracusse in March. Prices were decent.best part is the personal TVs (no SW does not offer this) and I loved how they pass out the snacks in a basket on a " help yourself" attitude. They had full chocolate bars, chips......can't recall what else but kids loved it. I haven't flown SW because I don't get the whole cattle call seating thing (no preseating but based on arrival and some letter system). Friends tried to explain it to me and lost me at " no preseating". go JB. You'll love it.

 

[jennyjinx3]

I have flown JB out of Buffalo before and now that I live in Ottawa I am flying JB out of Suracusse in March. Prices were decent.best part is the personal TVs (no SW does not offer this) and I loved how they pass out the snacks in a basket on a " help yourself" attitude. They had full chocolate bars, chips......can't recall what else but kids loved it. I haven't flown SW because I don't get the whole cattle call seating thing (no preseating but based on arrival and some letter system). Friends tried to explain it to me and lost me at " no preseating". go JB. You'll love it.

thanks for all the great info everyone!

 

[dsneygirl]

We prefer SW because of their very liberal change policy. If flights go down in $$$ you get a credit we have changed the same flight multiple times and you don't pay a penalty just any difference in price.

SW does not have in flight entertainment but for 2 hours we can persevere no problem. A lot of people complain on this board about SW boarding but we have flown more than 2 dozen times with them and never had an issue.

Also Jet Blue tends to have less direct flights from BUF.

 

[momlee4]

Is seat selection free with Jet Blue?

 

[Alderbrook]

we've flown SW & AT, but not JB (yet). To me it doesn't matter who I fly with, they're pretty much all the same. I book my flights based on price & times. I bring my son's DVD player with us so he has something to do so entertainment doesn't matter to me. It's only a 2 hr & a bit flight from BUF. I do not like SW's seating. You pay for a spot in line, if you're going to charge me for early bird seating, let me pick my seats. I really don't like their policy on that one.

 

[thebigman65]

Is seat selection free with Jet Blue?

Yes, unless you want the More Leg room seats, which in my opinion (I am 6 feet tall) is not required. The regular seats have plenty of leg room!

 

[momlee4]

Thanks, I didn't know that. If Jet Blue and South West prices are comparable, then I'd probably lean towards Jet Blue. Now to wait until the next block of dates are released...

 

[Sprockie]

We've flown with both airlines and like them both equally. As I recall, Southwest doesn't require you to book preassigned seats (we didn't). They just make sure that young families sit together - no risk of being separated. Southwest is VERY layed back and makes you feel very comfortable. However, it is true, they have no seatback entertainment. I would book whatever has the best flight times for you and who has a direct flight.

 

[jennyjinx3]

thanks everyone...just checking every now and then to see who has released those dates for booking and go from there now.