Southwest

[DisneyFun51464]

I love that Southwest lets me pre-board due to my daughters nut allergies. We go on before the A group and it gives me time to wipe down the seats.

 

[DawnM]

I flew SW recently. The amount of seat savers was crazy. By the time A had finished boarding, there were no 2 seats still together as the seat savers had them all saved for their C boarding friends.

If you are in the C boarding group, forget it, there will only be middle seats left.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

My minimum, on any airline, is an hour.

Okay, but again, 30 minutes is plenty of time at BWI.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I flew SW recently. The amount of seat savers was crazy. By the time A had finished boarding, there were no 2 seats still together as the seat savers had them all saved for their C boarding friends.

If you are in the C boarding group, forget it, there will only be middle seats left.

You are free to take these "saved" seats.

 

[laughinplace199]

Okay, but again, 30 minutes is plenty of time at BWI.

Thank you. I was hoping that was the case since that's the way SW sold it to us.

 

[DawnM]

Oh, believe me, I tried. The guy got in my face and it turned into a shouting match and I told the stewardess TWICE to come help and she ignored me.

When I got off the plane I went immediately to the counter and complained and was told that the official statement from SW is that they do not have a seat saving policy and he was in the right to save seats.

It was a horrible, horrible experience. I was shaking I was so angry.

Here is a link to what SW says: http://gatherroundchildren.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/southwest-airlines-seat-saving-non-policy-2/

Dawn

You are free to take these "saved" seats.

 

[Disneyworld Kirk]

We fly Southwest Pittsburgh to Orlando every time we go to Disney for the non-stop flights and good rates.
We just skip the Early Bird fee and reserve 24 hours out and are always in the A's or end of A's/early B's.
Jan. of 2013 my folks went with us (4 total) and they got seats in front of us and in August for our 10 year anniversary my wife and I had no problem down, but our flight back we were in different rows across the plane. The lady next to me was flying solo and started talking to me as we boarded and I mentioned it was my wife and I's 10 year trip and she got up and went over and swapped my wife. I would do the same if I was flying solo to let 2 people fly together.
I will continue to fly SW...but I can see where their policies (or non-policies) could be a problem.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Oh, believe me, I tried. The guy got in my face and it turned into a shouting match and I told the stewardess TWICE to come help and she ignored me.

When I got off the plane I went immediately to the counter and complained and was told that the official statement from SW is that they do not have a seat saving policy and he was in the right to save seats.

It was a horrible, horrible experience. I was shaking I was so angry.

Here is a link to what SW says: http://gatherroundchildren.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/southwest-airlines-seat-saving-non-policy-2/

Dawn

That's a shame. While it is true Southwest has no seat saving policy, the FAs should have intervened if you asked for help.

No assigned seats is one of the reasons I do not fly Southwest.

By the way, the author of that article you linked to was wrong when he said Southwest Airlines is responsible for the deaths of "zero people;" Southwest is responsible for the death of a 6 year old boy named Joshua Woods:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest_Airlines_Flight_1248

 

[dsnymomof4]

We have always had very positive experiences with SW. On our flight home in December, we got B boarding passes and did notice that the first 10-15 rows on each side were taken up by one person in each row - it was a little annoying. Idk if they were saving seats or just solo travelers who wanted an aisle seat. However, we did have the funniest and most awesome flight attendant ever. He explained the emergency procedures in such a way that he had the whole cabin laughing. It was great! I do wish they had assigned seating, however we have never had a problem with not sitting together.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

We just flew Southwest in December from Dallas to Orlando. On our flight back to Dallas We had B 4 & B 5 boarding & I checked in exactly 24 hours before. It figured there was no way we'd sit together. When we boarded the very front row had someone sitting at the window seat & something placed in the middle seat. I asked if they were available & she said they were... So we sat together in the very front row! I thought that was kind of crazy!
We flew Southwest the first time this last summer. Our connecting flight on our return trip was delayed. So many folks had that connecting flight that they held the plane. When we finally boarded all 4 of us had middle seats all over the plane.
At the prices we've gotten lately lately for our flights it's worth the chance that we might not sit together.

 

[rigs32]

We have always had very positive experiences with SW. On our flight home in December, we got B boarding passes and did notice that the first 10-15 rows on each side were taken up by one person in each row - it was a little annoying. Idk if they were saving seats or just solo travelers who wanted an aisle seat. However, we did have the funniest and most awesome flight attendant ever. He explained the emergency procedures in such a way that he had the whole cabin laughing. It was great! I do wish they had assigned seating, however we have never had a problem with not sitting together.

Were people saving the whole row or just sitting on the aisle?

I usually get an A and always sit on the aisle. I'm not going to take a window seat and have my legs cramped. And I'm not going to fill up rows when there are empty rows available.

 

[dzndft]

I have flown several times with Southwest. Most people "save" seats with the hope that the plane will not fill up. However, most will remove their place holder if asked if the seat is available. I was also on a flight where the FA gave a free drink to someone if they would move to give a couple two seats together.

I do have a cute memory - We flew SW from Dallas to Orlando with one stop in New Orleans, no plane change. This is how Disney bias I am - we landed and with almost a full plane I wondered where we would put all the new passengers. When the call to disembark was made, most of the passengers got off. There was maybe 20-24 people left of the plane. My main thought - who would choose NO over Orlando??? Once the new passengers got on, we ended up with about half the plane filled.

And we got better seats the second half!!

 

[dsnymomof4]

Were people saving the whole row or just sitting on the aisle?

I usually get an A and always sit on the aisle. I'm not going to take a window seat and have my legs cramped. And I'm not going to fill up rows when there are empty rows available.

Honestly, I think they were just solo travelers - it was just annoying because we were a party of 8 and were looking for 3 empty rows together and had to go way back because so many rows were taken up by just one person - I guess that's the benefit of purchasing the EBCI. But it was fine.

 

[melissalee]

My DF and I always fly SWA. We work out by Oakland in the East bay and home is New Orleans. I have heard multiple time FA get on the intercom and say there are no saved seats it's first come first served. And I've seen them ask people to remove their belongings (they were trying to save seats for other) so the first on could sit where they wanted
I think they are the friendliest airline. They often have great deals if you can plan ahead and be flexible with your dates.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

I have a quick question. I bought flights for 4 for may. We have to postpone our trip to Orlando till this fall. If I cancel, will I get a credit for the 4 of us to use on a future trip? Thx!!!

 

[rajahfan7]

Okay, but again, 30 minutes is plenty of time at BWI.

yes, I LOVE BWI. everything is right there, no running around opposite ends of the airport.