Southwest

[chelle11]

Long story....but United Airlines changed our flight from a nonstop flight to a flight with one stop....causing us to take almost the whole day to fly to orlando. A nonstop would take us about 3 hours or so. My husband called, became irritated with them and ended up canceling our flight and getting our money back. We leave mid November for our trip. I can fly Southwest for about $100 more than we had booked on United. I can also fly nonstop on American, but that would be about $500 more. Is Southwest a good airline? I have never flown with them before. Can we most likely sit with our children on the flight....we have three children...can at least one adult be with one child and one adult be with the other two? Does Magic Express work with Southwest? Thanks for your help....I just thought everything was done, and I've been stressing out all day. Should I just book Southwest now? Thanks again!

 

[pooh4evr]

We always fly southwest out of St. Louis and have never had a problem. The last time and for our flight in 2 weeks we book the early bird check in which means SW checks you in 36 hours before your flight , if you do not get the early bird then YOU must check in at the 24 hour mark. If you do that then you should not have a problem sitting with your kids (if you have 1 under 4 you can do family boarding which is between groups A and B). So basically when you check in, you print your boarding pass and you are given a group and # like A26 or something, each person in your party will have their own #, and that is the order you board the plane, even the kids but I believe with the EB you will be in sequential order. Yes SW does work with ME so they will get your bags upon arrival, but you have to take them for departure I believe they don't do that part of the baggage check thing. SW doesn't charge for baggage either. I hope all of that makes some sense it is too late for me to be giving much advice!

 

[chelle11]

Thanks! Yes, you do make sense! I know it's late....my head is spinning too!

 

[4forMe]

Have you checked prices on AirTran? We've used them our last two trips to Florida since their prices have been cheaper than Southwest. They also offer non-stop flights (very important for our family).

 

[vjr]

Our last trip to ASM in March 2011 we were able to use ME for a Southwest flight at the resort for our trip home.

Good luck and have a great time!!!

 

[HelenParr]

We always use Southwest. Have had no problems.

No bag fees. No change fees.
Juice and a small snack.
Always been on time to Orlando.

The way they (don't) assign seats confuses folks, but don't let that stop you. It's easy to figure out, and there are a zillion threads on this forum explaining it.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[1tufgt]

ME has nothing to do with the airlines other than RAC when you head home.

You can be on any airline and still use ME.

As far as SW goes, it's a great airline and our preferred airline of choice. Like everyone said get EBCI or make sure to check in at the 24hr mark.

 

[chelle11]

Thanks everyone! I have booked us on Southwest. Yesterday I just felt stressed out. I had thought everything was set for Disney. Then all of sudden, I don't have airline tickets! Now I can relax and have fun in Disney. I also did the Early Bird Check in with Southwest. It was expensive for 5 people, but I think it will be worth it by not having to remember the 24 hour check in time. Thanks again! Have a wonderful weekend!

 

[Mkrop]

EBCI is wonderful, bc you dont have to worry about checking in for going down or esp the flight home, when you might be in a park.

EBCI checks you in at 36 hour mark but you still can not print boarding passes until the 24 hour mark. In WDW, you can print these at a park, or ask the desk at your hotel, the RAC or you can print them at the airport if you are not using RAC.

We love SW and have never had an issue sitting together. We have always gotten A passes but one time we got B1 and we were still fine we were just in the back of the plane, which was fine with us.

Have fun