Long time Airtraner looking to try Southwest

[PAcpl]

We have been flying Airtran ever since we started going to Disney. I have a ton of Southwest miles and was considering booking with them for the next round.

The thing we like about Airtran is the ability to upgrade to first class if its available. Also the Airtran staff has always been very organized and a pleasure to deal with. The biggest things that worries me about Southwest is the "cattle call". Is it often that you get separated from your family? It is only DW and I, so it's not like we need many seats.

Is there a huge difference in the two airlines? Do you prefer one over the other? If there were two identical flights at the same price would you fly Airtran or Southwest?

Thanks!

 

[dworldlovers]

We fly Southwest all the time!! 2 free bags per person and no fees for seats!! Check-in for your flight exactly 24hrs. before your flight and you'll be in the "A" group, which is the first to board and you sit wherever you want. 3 of us flew home from Seattle last month and our daughter was in the "B" group-no worries, we saved her the 3rd seat with us!! Southwest doesn't offer a first-class section and even though I'm 6'2", coach seats are plenty roomy enough!! Staff is very pleasant too!! We used to fly Airtran, but now they charge for seats, bags, etc... It's Southwest for us!!

 

[btowndude]

Most of my travel is on Southwest. Their two free bags policy is awesome.The only small problem is remembering to log in exactly 24 hours before the flight to get a "A" boarding pass. When I can't be at a computer 24 hours before departure. I pay the extra $10 fee for the SW computer to automatically check me in to get that "A" boarding pass. That is real important, if you have don't have a nonstop flight and you have to switch planes with new boarding pass needed.

 

[PAcpl]

Most of my travel is on Southwest. Their two free bags policy is awesome.The only small problem is remembering to log in exactly 24 hours before the flight to get a "A" boarding pass. When I can't be at a computer 24 hours before departure. I pay the extra $10 fee for the SW computer to automatically check me in to get that "A" boarding pass. That is real important, if you have don't have a nonstop flight and you have to switch planes with new boarding pass needed.

Wow, didn't know that was an option. Thanks!

 

[Mary T in PA]

We have flown AT for many years. We tried SW a few years ago, and didn't have the best experience.

Last week, we went down to the World for a quick weekend trip, and because of the times for nonstop flights, we had to use SW down from PIT to MCO, and then home on AT from MCO to PIT. SW had a 7am flight nonstop and we needed to mazimize our time for this short trip.

The only thing we didn't like was the open seating, you line up by group and then number and there is no business class like AT has, so there is no upgrading and no assigned seating.

So after trying it again, would I use SW? Yes if we cant' get what we want on AT. I think what it boils down to for us is the nonstop schedule from PIT to MCo and the times of day.

It's not bad, I look at it this way, if it's the airline I need to use to get me to Disney nonstop and the prices are decent, then I'll use SW.. but I do look at AT first.