Oh, no! I LOVE Southwest Now!

[inkkognito]

I never thought it could happen, but now I LOVE SWA. In the heady days of ATA, I scoffed at the idea of unassigned seats. But back then, my schedule was also more stable. Now, we are still flying roundtrip between Orlando and Chicago once or twice a month, but my schedule is subject to change due to my job. On ATA, last minute changes meant big bucks. I had to make a change today for an early April flight...NO PROBLEM on Southwest! Not only was there no penalty, but the changed days meant a $100 savings. For that, I will take just about any seat. I never thought I would say it, but I love them now (and when I watch half the plane pre-board, I will just keep repeating to myself, "Remember their wonderful change policy, remember their wonderful change policy).
Barb

 

[spiceycat]

hey I have always loved them.

lots of co-workers don't like them.

but they take out when they say (if not before) and they don't wait for ANYONE!!!

I like a aisle seat and I have no problem getting one.

the airline only flies one plane type - so no maintence problems.

Since I get to the airport 2 hours earlier anyway - SW is a fun airline for me!

I am not flying SW this trip - because Delta was only $6 more and they participate in the magical express - I love the idea of someone else taking care of my luggage....

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I think one of the reasons Southwest does so well, is thier wonderful customer service. I mean, would you expect anything else from a company that is listed on the NY stock exchange as "LUV"

I also love how they're changing thier focus away from the short haul stops, to the long haul non-stops. For you, Barb, I was reading that they added non-stop service to 7 new cities from Chicago Midway.

Once Southwest begins its new service announced today, it will operate 192 daily nonstop departures from Chicago Midway to 41 cities. That compares with the 145 nonstop departures it had in late October to 30 cities.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

ITA. We won't fly with anyone else.

 

[shatzjsl]

I would love to fly SWA to Orlando but until they change the Wright Amendment here in Dallas to let SW do more that just hop to the next state we are stuck flying out of DFW.

 

[Ilovestitch]

Southwest does have the nicest employees. One time I noticed my flight price dropped by like $40. I waited a few days and then noticed it went back up. I called SWA and they still gave me a credit- they said they would make an exception eventhough the price went back up.

Another great thing about SWA is their flight times rarely change. I've booked w/AirTran and other airlines and the flight numbers and times change 3 times before my trip

 

[chasbos]

Glad your experiences have been good with Southwest - we really enjoyed our flight with them and plan to use them whenever we fly in the U.S.

I can see a problem arising though - too many people are going to be wanting the good deals and we are all going to have to be quick to get them!!

 

[mommytutu]

I would love to fly SWA to Orlando but until they change the Wright Amendment here in Dallas to let SW do more that just hop to the next state we are stuck flying out of DFW.

Yep! I would LOVE to fly SWA. I get so jealous when I hear of awesome rates so many get. The best I'm gonna do is around $200 per person round trip DFW to MCO.

I heard on the news a couple of months ago that Delta has pulled out of a bunch of E terminals at DFW. DFW tried to get SWA to locate into some of those terminal, but they wouldn't. They wanted to stay at Love Feild.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Sounds like SWA is really growing on you Barb! I'm glad to hear it! I love SWA and their customer service, especially when I change my flights more than once.

 

[Trixiezzz]

I am not flying SW this trip - because Delta was only $6 more and they participate in the magical express - I love the idea of someone else taking care of my luggage....

Tyler, could you answer this for me:

If you fly on Southwest, you CAN'T have the magical express service??? I thought it was for ALL airlines flying into MCO?
Please let me know... Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

Tyler, could you answer this for me:

If you fly on Southwest, you CAN'T have the magical express service??? I thought it was for ALL airlines flying into MCO?
Please let me know... Thanks!

You can use any airline with ME. Coming in it doesn't matter what airline you use. With a participating airline you can check in for you flight, and check your luggage at your resort. With a non-participating airline you have to bring your luggage on your bus, stowed underneath, and check it at the airport.

 

[CarolA]

I am going to miss them so much. The discount carrier out of Atlanta has the change penalty issue. I sometimes book trips to Disney "just in case" LOL!@

 

[inkkognito]

My husband was quite impressed with their customer service when he called. So far we've never had a problem (have only used them for two flights up till now), but since our ressies were linked together and the change only needed to be made for me, he thought it would be a problem. He explained the situation and they had it taken care of immediately; they did their magic to unlink 'em and then he was able to take his time making the change himself online. From now on, he will just book our flights separately now that we know how nice & easy to make changes.
Barb

 

[Pinnie]

I LUV SWA, too! I am stuck flying SPIRIT in June and and I already got an email telling me both my outgoing and returning flight times have been changed. I never have to worry when I fly SWA.

Their Rapid Rewards program is incredible. I am flying on Good Friday and returning the Thursday after Easter to MCO from DTW on a Rapid Reward freebie. Try THAT on any other airline!!!!

pinnie

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Tyler, could you answer this for me:

If you fly on Southwest, you CAN'T have the magical express service??? I thought it was for ALL airlines flying into MCO?
Please let me know... Thanks!

Inbound TO Disney, it doesn't matter what airline you are flying. As long as your bags are specially tagged, they will bypass baggage claim.

When you LEAVE Disney is where the difference is. With a participating airline, you check your bags and recieve your boarding pass at the resort. With a non-participating airline such as Southwest, you board the bus with your luggage, and then check it at the airport and get your boarding pass there. You still might be able to have Lobby Concierge (formerly Guest Services) print out a SWA boarding pass.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

I'm so glad you like SWA, Barb. I had starting using ATA after reading your trip reports and was happy with them until all the problems started. Now we're flying SWA for the first time and looking forward to it after so many great reports. I have had to change my flight day and like you, was so amazed at how easy it was to accomplish that change online free of charge. WOW! Sure beats that "set in stone" or "pay the penalty" flight booking of the old days with ATA.

Now, what I'd like to know is, can I use all my cheap ATA ear phones on SWA??? ... Hehe ... or is it safe to throw them out?

Tink

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Now, what I'd like to know is, can I use all my cheap ATA ear phones on SWA??? ... Hehe ... or is it safe to throw them out?

The only music you'll find on SWA is the corny flight attendants singing off key

 

[rdrjj5]

The only music you'll find on SWA is the corny flight attendants singing off key

 

[inkkognito]

Ah yes, the famous ATA headphones! I did enjoy their in-flight entertainment; I would probably miss it more now if we didn't have a portable DVD player. I am still waiting for the "live" entertainment on Southwest. On our first two flights, there were none of the famous antics that I've heard about. I did have to snicker, though, on the last trip when we landed and the flight attendant announced, "Now that you have concluded the safest part of your trip, be careful on your drive." Another airline used to say that...can't remember which one. Funny to think that it's true; I am a paranoid flyer, so the only way I can get myself onto a plane is to logically remind myself that statistics say I'm much safer in the air.
Barb