Southwest or USAir

[KStover]

I've been waiting for Southwest to release their flights. After today's release, I am nervous to purchase because the flights I need only has a 35 minute layover in Dallas-Love Field. Total for my flights for 2 is $888.

USAirways has their flights with better layover times, but I know they have bag fees. Price for these flights is $1022.

Thoughts?

 

[ebradley23]

Is there another Southwest flight you can get on from Love Field if you are delayed leaving your departure city? If so, I would do Southwest. Also if it's the first flight out in the morning, you are almost always guaranteed to leave on time (unless weather is bad), since the plane is already at the airport from the last flight in the night before. Love Field is very small, so you could easily make a 35 minute layover.

I see you are in AR? Will you be flying from Little Rock. If so, I would NOT do US. I fly US almost exclusively, and my family is in AR. I have never flown out of that airport on US without a significant delay. I won't schedule my return flights home without at least a 2 hr layover in Charlotte. US lists their on time percentages for each of their flights. Check the one you're looking at. I would bet its awful unless it's the first flight out for the day.

 

[DebbieB]

One thing to consider - USAir's change fee is $200 per person. I would stick with SW.

 

[KStover]

Is there another Southwest flight you can get on from Love Field if you are delayed leaving your departure city? If so, I would do Southwest. Also if it's the first flight out in the morning, you are almost always guaranteed to leave on time (unless weather is bad), since the plane is already at the airport from the last flight in the night before. Love Field is very small, so you could easily make a 35 minute layover.

I see you are in AR? Will you be flying from Little Rock. If so, I would NOT do US. I fly US almost exclusively, and my family is in AR. I have never flown out of that airport on US without a significant delay. I won't schedule my return flights home without at least a 2 hr layover in Charlotte. US lists their on time percentages for each of their flights. Check the one you're looking at. I would bet its awful unless it's the first flight out for the day.

Yes, I will be flying from Little Rock. The flight to MCO has a 2 1/2 hour layover in Charlotte. The one on the way back is almost 3 hours in Charlotte. T

 

[KStover]

I have thought about staying with Southwest, but flying out of a different airport MEM instead of LIT. There are nonstop flights which are much cheaper. I will have to drive about 3 hours though.

 

[ebradley23]

I have thought about staying with Southwest, but flying out of a different airport MEM instead of LIT. There are nonstop flights which are much cheaper. I will have to drive about 3 hours though.

I've flown into MEM when I first moved to VA. It's about 3 hours to my family's home from there. It's an easy drive most of the time. If the rates are cheap enough to allow you to get a room the night before, I would definitely go that route. Direct is always best! Three hours of driving is worth not having to deal with layovers. Sometimes you can get a room with an airport shuttle and leave your car at the hotel. It saves some on parking that way. We've done that when flying out of DC. Plus that will allow you to get some great BBQ from Central BBQ in Memphis