Southwest Airlines....

[MillauFr]

This may be your impression, but it is in no way based on facts. Southwest is not even close to being the most ontime airline. You can check statistics here:

http://www.transtats.bts.gov/OT_Delay/OT_DelayCause1.asp?pn=1

Agreed Alaska and Delta are far superior to Southwest. Southwest used to be on top until they started flying out of delay prone airports.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Doesn't everyone? United is run by complete idiots. The CEO should have been fired years ago. The only thing holding United together is they still have some decent front line employees, but the management is terrible. If I were you I would fly Southwest even if the price were double United.

I agree that United has some issues, but flying them is a no brainer for me. I'm a 1K, so I get free economy plus seating, free domestic upgrades to first class when there is space, first boarding group, 3 free checked bags up to 70 pounds each, free changes for award tickets and better award availibility, free same day flight changes, free Marriott Gold membership, free Hertz Gold membership, can bring up to 8 companions into economy plus with me for free, membership in the Star Alliance, so I have many other airlines which I can fly using FF miles, bonus mileage accumulation, etc. I get no benefits at all flying Southwest, plus half of my travel every year is international, so Southwest wold be useless for those flights. United also has many more non-stop flight choices.

 

[GC&S]

We got stuck in Atlanta last Aug on our way to Seattle due to a storm. Sat on the plane for 2 hours. Pilot kept giving us updates, attendants were super nice. They did let us off the plane for about an hour then we boarded but the storm moved towards us again and we sat for another hour. DH, myself and my 12 yr old were not able to get seats together. I couldn't see my dd, but the attendant would check on her and give me updates. They had no control over the weather but they made a miserable situation bearable.

Coming back we got one of the funny attendants (like the ones you see on youtube). He was awesome and my dd still talks about it to this day. We laughed the whole time onboard. Best line: "Put your oxygen mask on yourself first and then your child. If you have multiple children, pick the one with the most potential and work your way down".

I do hate the 24 hour checkin though. It's about as stressful as trying to score concert tickets! We usually get in the B group. I do hate when people get on board and then try to save rows of seats. My DH encountered that (he was in A group and some lady was trying to save 5 rows). DH said no way and picked his seat. She then complained about DH but the attendant told her she couldn't save that many seats and to leave "that darling man alone."

 

[MillauFr]

I agree that United has some issues, but flying them is a no brainer for me.

As a 1k do you get any extra privileges when your international flight breaks down and you have to land in Goose Bay? It happens often enough that they should open a United Club at the military barracks.

Why do you have to fly United are you stuck because you live in Houston?

 

[marinejjh]

We love SW, this is th e only air line that flys direct from indy. It is well worth it to not have delays.

 

[disneylove69]

I only fly Southwest!!! If they don't go there than I don't need to be there

 

[1buckeyegirl]

Love southwest, just flew to ft lauderdale with them last weekend, no problems at all! Checked in at 24 hrs and got group A for all 3 flights!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

As a 1k do you get any extra privileges when your international flight breaks down and you have to land in Goose Bay? It happens often enough that they should open a United Club at the military barracks.

Why do you have to fly United are you stuck because you live in Houston?

Your post is rather silly. UA is not the only airline which has diverted to Goose Bay, and this is hardly a regular occurance. I can tell you that the higher your status, the better compensation you receive for delays and other issues.

I do not live in Texas.

 

[MinMou]

Isn't everyone allowed to have their own airline preferences!!!??????

 

[DisneyMandC]

Love Southwest! They just came to my airport, but I have actually driven to another airport two hours away just to fly with them before because they have so many more direct flights. Plus you can't beat free checked bags.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Isn't everyone allowed to have their own airline preferences!!!??????

No, everyone must love Southwest.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

It's the best.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

LUV SWA.. Last fall when we were coming home from Disney we got delayed in Nashville because of a storm. SWA gate agents brought out several boxes containing snack bags of chips as well as soda's and bottle water for everyone to help themselves to.

 

[OhMari]

I have been watching a flight for DH and myself in October. Honestly, I have only flown one time and my DH has never flown before. We always drive with the family to WDW. I checked today and the flight is $60.00 more than it was two days ago. Is is like to go down again? I don't know how all of this works and now I wish I would have booked a couple of days ago. We are really trying to keep the trip economical, as I am sure is everyone else. We are hoping to spend our 30th anniversary with the Mouse.

Clean your cookies and history. I was told Southwest tracks you and will keep the prices higher.

 

[Ennazus8810]

Clean your cookies and history. I was told Southwest tracks you and will keep the prices higher.

I was checking them several times a week, even after I booked for our Sept flight. Prices went up, then back down, then down even farther. I checked from multiple devices, and they were always the same.

 

[6264EVER]

Flying SW for the first time in October out of Chicago. Just checked my flight to see if price has dropped and it no longer has my flight number as an option, however, it is still listed under My Travel.

Haven't flown out of Chicago in 20 years. Just want to make sure I am OK.

 

[Marionnette]

Flying SW for the first time in October out of Chicago. Just checked my flight to see if price has dropped and it no longer has my flight number as an option, however, it is still listed under My Travel.

Haven't flown out of Chicago in 20 years. Just want to make sure I am OK.

Call customer service.

I had that happen about a month ago and it turned out that there had been a website glitch on the day that I booked the airfare. There was no flight scheduled for that time. The agent ended up booking me on another flight for the same number of points, but I cannot alter those plans without calling Southwest now.

 

[6264EVER]

Call customer service.

I had that happen about a month ago and it turned out that there had been a website glitch on the day that I booked the airfare. There was no flight scheduled for that time. The agent ended up booking me on another flight for the same number of points, but I cannot alter those plans without calling Southwest now.

Thank you so much! Called SW and the flight schedule had been changed. Was able to switch my flight. Customer Service said they would be contacting people in the future to change the flight. Glad I changed when I did. I was able to get another nonstop flight - just leaves 90 minutes earlier.

I will say that it was a very easy process. Took less then 5 minutes total. Very helpful and friendly.

 

[PatMcDuck]

SW recently cancelled my flight down to MCO in October. (from PHL). I had only booked it, because it was $87 or something, it arrived at around 6 pm, not ideal. I saw on DIS that some flights were cancelled, and called when I saw mine was one of them. They let me pick any flight, within a few DAYS of the cancelled one, honoring the low $87 fare! So I got a better flight time, same day, same price. Score. (I admit, it worked well for me, because I was not that happy with my original flight).

Good customer service, in any case. I usually fly SW, but also use Jet Blue and Virgin America (sometimes), to the west coast, to get non-stops.

 

[kidneymomma]

We don't fly often but when we do we typically use Southwest. The only issue I've had is they broke my stroller. Thankfully it was on the return flight from Disneyland. I guess you are supposed to sign a waiver that they are not liable for damage when you gate check it. No one had me sign anything; so they paid for a new stroller. I had purchased it new for that vacation! I was furious when we got it back at the gate.