Southwest Jackson,MS to Orlando???

[RebYork]

I have a family of six and we are thinking of flying Southwest from Jackson, MS next June 2012. Of course, there is no rates or schedule out for this time yet, but we are comparing info from Southwest and Delta out of Memphis. First question, if we choose the cheapest rate which is called get away rate would this make us be the last to board? My main concern is my eight year old son. I don't want him to sit by himself. I know it will be impossible for all six of us to sit close to each other but does anyone know how difficult it is to sit next to one another or at least close? This would be our first time on Southwest so we know nothing about how they go about boarding a plane or getting your seats. Also, has anyone flown from Jackson to Orlando and know how full or crowded these planes are? We really like the get away rate and the times that Southwest Jackson offers.

 

[RebYork]

Maybe I asked to much at one time. Does buying the cheapest Southwest ticket which is called get away ticket on thier website make you last to board or does this all depend on when you call and check in and get your boarding pass?

 

[Cynthiagayle01]

We've flown from Jackson to Orlando with southwest on two different trips. Both trips we've used the cheapest rates. It depends on when you check in online when you get on the plane. It is a great process. Very easy! We've checked in both times at the 24 hour mark and have gotten into the A group. If you are worried about not being able to check in you might want to consider the Early bird fee that will let Southwest automatically check you in. We've never had to do it but there is only 2 of us.
http://www.southwest.com/flight/early-bird-retrieve-reservation.html?int=HOMEACTLOGELYBRD100223

The link tells a little bit more about Southwest's boarding policy. It's very simple.
http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/airport-experience/boarding-school/

I'm sure there are others on the board who have flown Southwest more often and might can chime in more. we love southwest, just wish they flew out of our local airport.

 

[ronniewms]

We've flown from both Jackson and Memphis.

NWA out of Memphis was a direct flight. Delta out of Jackson had a small jet to Atlanta, then changed over to a 767.

I prefer to fly out of Jackson, it is cheaper than flying out of Memphis. I'm in Oxford, so I would rather drive the extra hour and still save money.

We are leaving Thursday and driving down this time.

 

[RebYork]

Thanks so much for the info. My wife says we may have enough miles to get one free ticket with Delta. If we do we will fly out of Memphis with Delta if not we will try Southwest out of Jackson. Ronnie, Oxford is a beautiful town. We are big Ole Miss fans.

 

[ronniewms]

I was thinking that when I saw Cleveland and Reb. Oxford is AWESOME. Love it here. There are quite a few Ole Miss fans who double as Disney fans. This will be our 4th trip. Driving over to Birmingham and then down thru Montgomery, then to Tallahassee for a few hours sleep, then hope to be at Epcot early Next Friday morning. There are folks who post on the Ole Miss message boards about Disney a lot. I'm on about 3 of them. Good luck with the miles, hope you can get the freebie!

 

[ToddyLu]

DH and I live in Pascagoula and we drive 2 hours to New Orleans to get a non stop SW flight to MCO. So we drive 2 hours west to fly for 2 hours east. Crazy but it works for us. I love flying into Memphis. We have gone there out of Gulfport on Delta several times, then head to MCO. Non stop works better for my DH--The Anxious One.

We always pay for the EBCI...so easy. I do nto have to worry about it while I am at work before we leave and then I do not have to think about it on vacation.