Msp flyers--southwest?

[Fargoman2]

HELLO--

Hey MSP flyers--now that Southwest is serving the Twin Cities, have you been able to find any good deals from them? Anyone fly in late summer 2009--would like to try to guess what summer 2010 might have to offer.

Thanks in advance for any expert opinions/experiences.

 

[zulaya]

Hey Fargoman--

Occasionally, I check SWA. But the prices haven't really been what I'd call stellar. Nothing so far that makes me want to make a stop in Chicago.

Admittedly, I haven't watched real closely.

 

[chwgmjay]

Since SW started flying out of MSP, they're all I use.

I paid $99 each way at the end of September, not sure what the rates are during the summer.

The stop in Chicago's not bad, as long as you're don't have to switch planes, and Southwest is really quick about turn around... you usually land, everyone that's getting off the plane gets off, they let you switch seats if you want, they load everyone on and then you go.

The one thing that threw me off was that for the 7:00 am flight, they don't open the ticket counter (to check luggage, etc.) until 5:30 so there was a line of about 40 of us waiting when it finally opened up. Security at the Humphrey terminal is super fast though so it only takes about 10 mins at most usually.

 

[dudspizza]

I have not flown them yet as I have not found prices that are the best........ I would like to give them a shot though....

 

[Leah's Mom]

We are flying southwest the end of October. I hope it's good!

My concern is we are flying with my daughter who is autistic. I want to make sure that at least one of us (me or my husband) are able to have a seat next to her. She is 18 - but would no way be okay by herself.

Anyone know the answer?

I'll maybe start a new post when it gets closer to our trip!

 

[CarolMN]

I have not flown them yet as I have not found prices that are the best........ I would like to give them a shot though....

Me, too.

I plan to check SWA next week (10/13) when they open dates covering our non-Easter April trip. If they are not offering a good price or times I can live with, I'll be booking either SC or NWA, which go non-stop. (I do consider the cost to check 1 bag each on the non-SWA airlines when I compare, but I also keep in mind that SWA flights are all at least 1 stop. I strongly prefer non-stop flights).

Is the SWA trial for RAC complete? Can we now use it at any of the WDW resorts that offer RAC? If so, the price may not have to be quite so good, LOL.

 

[chwgmjay]

Me, too.

I plan to check SWA next week (10/13) when they open dates covering our non-Easter April trip. If they are not offering a good price or times I can live with, I'll be booking either SC or NWA, which go non-stop. (I do consider the cost to check 1 bag each on the non-SWA airlines when I compare, but I also keep in mind that SWA flights are all at least 1 stop. I strongly prefer non-stop flights).

Is the SWA trial for RAC complete? Can we now use it at any of the WDW resorts that offer RAC? If so, the price may not have to be quite so good, LOL.

I got back on the 30th and POP was still the only one offering Southwest RAC. Not sure if things have changed since then though.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Don't overlook Sun Country which flies from MSP to Orlando. And Sun Country fares are often matched my Northwest/Delta. I recently flew NW from Orlando to MSP for $49 each way thanks to a sale started by Sun Country.

BobK/Orlando

 

[zulaya]

Bob - We know all about SC up here. Problem for me is lately, SC has been much higher than NWA. But then again, lately, I've been booking a little closer in than I normally would ~ later than 11 months out, but not close enough to get in on an SC sale.

But I agree SC is a great option and I'm glad they are here.

 

[CarolMN]

Just booked our first trip on Southwest. First time I found a price that really tempted me. Got RT MSP - MCO for $200 each. It's for our late April/early May trip for Flower & Garden. That's a good price out of MSP.

I'd prefer Sun Country, but they wanted $239 each plus we check one bag each so that would be $269 each. Even though SC is non stop and the times were slightly better, those features aren't worth an extra $138. AirTran is the same price as SC, but they change their schedules so much that I am not willing to even consider them when SC is the same price.

NWA/Delta wants $364 each plus bags plus they are in the negative news again (pilots overshooting the airport, maybe because they were sleeping). They do participate in RAC/BAGS, but that's not worth an extra $250.

Anyway, I'm still a little nervous about SWA, but I am glad to have the airfare locked in at a good price. I also bought the EBCI for the return trip. It was worth $10 each not to have to worry about printing a boarding pass 24 hours prior to departure when we might be in the park or a restaurant. I am also hoping that they will be fully participating in the RAC/BAGs by next year. That would be wonderful!

 

[CarolMN]

We are flying southwest the end of October. I hope it's good!

My concern is we are flying with my daughter who is autistic. I want to make sure that at least one of us (me or my husband) are able to have a seat next to her. She is 18 - but would no way be okay by herself.

Anyone know the answer?

I'll maybe start a new post when it gets closer to our trip!

Check out Southwest's EBCI - Early Bird Check in Service. It's $10 each way, but it will probably give you better boarding positions and you won't have to check in right at the 24 hour mark. If you get an A pass or even a B, you shouldn't have a problem finding seats together.

Here's a link to more info on it:

Early Bird Check In

You can add this service even after you book your tickets.

 

[DebbieB]

We are flying southwest the end of October. I hope it's good!

My concern is we are flying with my daughter who is autistic. I want to make sure that at least one of us (me or my husband) are able to have a seat next to her. She is 18 - but would no way be okay by herself.

Anyone know the answer?

I'll maybe start a new post when it gets closer to our trip!

You can request pre-boarding for medical reasons.

 

[zulaya]

I really haven't paid too close attention to the frequency with which Southwest releases their schedule.

I'm currently watching for flights in June for an incentive trip. DL/NWA is up over $400 for those dates already. Yeah, like I'm spending that.

Sun Country doesn't have their schedule out yet, and neither does SWA.

It seems they try have and have their schedule open 6 months out. Is that about right?

 

[DebbieB]

Currently SW is booking through May 7. The next release is Dec 18 for dates through August 13.

http://www.southwest.com/flight/travel_center.html?int=GNAVTRVLTOOL