MSP flyers- Suncountry or NWA?

[calie_j]

I'm going watching these flights. Right now Suncountry & NWA both have comparable fares with almost the exact same schedule. Is there any advantage to choosing one over the other? Now that SW has released their schedule will either of these lower prices (yeah I know SW doesn't have the same flights, you learn something new each day, lol) or any other trends to watch for?

Thanks for your help this board always has such knowledgable people on it.

Calie

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Personally, I would go with NWA. IMO, they seem a little more "reputable" then Sun Country

 

[pugdog]

As of today I would fly SC. have flown on both several times and SC wins for customer service. Plus with the strike coming closer...
We are also looking at taking Midwest maybe for our December trip.
But won't make nay disions until August unless a fare comes out that we can not live with out.

 

[LynnTH]

Just curious as to what prices you are getting and for when? I booked my airfare a couple of weeks ago for Feb 24-March 4th with NW as I had 2 FF tickets to use -but of course nothing at all was available for Orlando for the year. So, we ended up flying into Gainsville, Florida (we were going to be getting a car anyway as we are visiting in-laws first in Fort Myers). Our tickets ended up being $336 by the time you added up all the taxes. ($275 without. I usually prefer to fly SunCountry - have always had good luck with them (not that I haven't with NW). When I checked prices were exactly the same for my dates - I hate to keep checking cuz I don't want to see lower prices. I hate seeing all these great airfares that people are getting from Southwest. Especially, when they are getting $115 from Chicago, which is just a hop, jump and skip away (kind of). I sure wish we would get SW in here.

 

[Fargoman2]

When are you going? If you are still in the early planning stages, scour the Internet daily! We are flying out of MSP next Thursday on Continental for $168 round trip--best rate we've ever had.

Fares can change in a heartbeat...even from hour to hour. If you've got a great price jump on it. But if it's only ok and you still have time, wait it out a bit and see what deal you can find.

Try searching right at midnight, sometimes that's when airlines enter fare adjustments. And don't forget, if you use a search engine to find the rate, go directly to the airline site to book. This will save you $5-10 service fees.

If it comes down to NWA or Sun Country, take NWA. SC features cramped quarters and precious little legroom.

Good luck!

 

[CarolMN]

IMHO, it depends on when your trip will be and what you value.

If your trip is coming up in the next couple of months, I'd choose SC - there may very well be a strike in the next 4 - 6 weeks at NWA.

If you are going during a time when weather could be a factor, choose NWA. They have more flights (good if yours gets cancelled or delayed) and NWA is best in class for flying around bad weather - smoother flights.

If you are concerned about getting in and out of the terminal quickly or customer service (on the ground or in flight), pick SC. THh HHH is very convenient to use (compared to the Main) and SC service is almost always better than NWA's.

NWA has a frequent flyer program. SC does not.

I usually pick the one that has the best price and/or times. I don't hesitate to fly either.


Best wishes-

 

[calie_j]

Right now I'm getting 295 for NWA and around 315 for SC. The lowest I've seen it was SC at 281 back in April. I'm trying to hold out til August and something under 250 but it's sooooooooo hard waiting. We're flying 11/27-12/4.

I also have the option of one way to Tampa on SW there and out of Orlando on SC back since we're staying with my sister for a few days before WDW and she lives in St Petersburg (not renting a car, sis is picking us up at airport and dropping us off at WDW). Just unsure about SW and the policy of no assigned seats ticks me off, we don't have to sit together but my DD7 is too young to not sit with one of us.

Still waiting it out Calie

 

[disneymom3]

If the flight times were similar, I would fly SC in a heartbeat over NWA. I just as a rule am not too thrilled with NWA. SC has way better customer service and I like supporting the little guy. Plus, I am thinking I would be staying far far away from any airline whose mechanics were on strike or even close to it. The mechanics are not people you can do without when it comes to airplanes.

 

[homedad]

I used to work for WI based company and had to fly NWA as it was my only choice. Never have had good luck with them, I have the attitude that anyone but NWA is the best choice! I/we fly a discount airline out of metro detroit and have had very good service and on-time flights.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

If your dates are flexible you might want to check out a site called Hobbit Travel. I think they are a travel agency based in MSP. Right now they are offering RT flights from MSP for $99. I don't remember the airlines they use, I think it is a charter line. My mother and daughter got flights last spring and mom said she would definately use them again.