SW vs Delta...wwyd?

[kstinw19]

Just priced Columbus Ohio to Orlando at $297.50 pp, and there is only one n/s flight on the depart and return. I priced Delta (the only two airlines that fly direct from Columbus) and it came out to be $309 pp, and they have four direct flights on the depart and return.

Should I go ahead and book Delta for $46 more? I really like flying SW b/c of their kid-friendly policy, but I am really disappointed that they only have one n/s flight. I like to get there by noon, and the n/s doesn't get in until 3 p.m.

What should I do? What is the advantage of flying a ME airline?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

We much prefer Delta b/c they fly direct out of GSO....that was until last week when they jacked the N/S fares from $249 to $523. So when S/W came out with their fares today, I hopped on those, even though we have to drive to RDU.

The S/W and Delta fares were comparable out of RDU (if I chose a Friday Delta departure...Sat was over $100 more), but S/W flight times were much better. Plus with S/W, if they lower the fares, you can get a credit. Not so w/Delta.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

...I forgot to add that Delta is bad about changing their flight times, so there's no guarantee wht you book is what you'll get....

 

[hanncam]

what do mean that delta is bad about changing flight times? I have never booked with them and I just saw this morning that they have flights from $98

 

[bicker]

Most major airlines allow passengers to book flights 330 days (11 months) prior, based on flight schedule projections. Delta's projections weren't that accurate this past year, due to their labor and financial troubles, so by the time their official schedules were announced, about four months prior, some passengers had gone through seven or eight flight changes already. (Generally, once the official schedules are announced, flight changes are rare.)

Southwest, by comparison, doesn't allow passengers to book until four or five months prior to the flight, thereby bypassing the flight change issue.

I'd go with Delta. I want a confirmed seat, with a seat assignment, and if I'm dilligent about checking my flights frequently online, I can get that at Delta. Southwest doesn't offer it, and has a cattle-call boarding process that I find pretty distasteful.

 

[zurgswife]

As I understand it you may get a seat assignment but if they change the flight times there is a good chance you will lose your seat assignment. Delta is know for changing flight times, sometimes by many hours.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Delta has had more flight time changes than usual due to the consolidation with Song. However, ALL airlines have flight time changes.

I'd fly Delta over Southwest any day.

 

[rparmfamily]

Ill agree with you on this lost as I can't tolerate SW and I can see where a few flight time changes could bother some but when you have been flying a particular airline for so long it doesn't even matter anymore.

Rex

 

[seashoreCM]

I like to get there by noon, and the [one and only Southwest] n/s doesn't get in until 3 p.m.

What should I do? What is the advantage of flying a ME airline?

Difference between an ME airline and a non-ME airline -- Ability to check your baggage at the resort when going home. (All flights leaving Orlando before 8 AM "are non-ME" because the resort check stand is not open when you need to leave the resort)

Absolutely everything else is the same.

You said you want to get there by noon so choosing Delta is a no-brainer.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

 

[ttfn3]

We fly out of Columbus OH to Orlando for our vacations - and have used both Southwest and Delta. My preference is to fly Delta - because I like picking my seats. We don't have to get to the airport as early then (no "cattle call" for good seats all together). We have found Delta "kid friendly" on their Columbus flights. We haven't had an issue with changing flights times out of Columbus - but I understand it's subject to change.

If I can get a flight much cheaper on Southwest, I wouldn't hesistate to go with Southwest. In fact, I'm waiting for Southwest to release their schedule for the end of October, because I suspect they may have a better airfare than Delta. Which brings me to....

What time of year are you flying? If it's a peak travel time - especially March which is Spring Break at OSU, and many other schools in Ohio - I would book Delta before Southwest releases their flight schedule. Southwest never discounts their fares in March from Columbus to Orlando. The NS Delta Flights to Florida fill pretty quickly on Delta, so make sure you keep an eye on how many seats are left.

 

[hanncam]

we are flying out Sept 13-17. I can get roundtrip Delta $122 from RDU.

I don't know if I should wait for sw fares. last year in sept their ding fares were $78 roundtrip

 

[BigTigger]

In this case I'd pick the airline by 1) best schedule and 2) most available flights (in case you have a cancellation, etc. you have more chances to get home).

I'm a big Delta fan - 2 million miler - but don't discount SWA if they are close on points 1 and 2 above. I have taken JB, SWA, and CON recently to various FL destinations with no bad experiences as Delta has cut too many flights out of their FL schedules and raised prices too much to call it "due to fuel prices" so I've given the competition my business. The end result was good service despite weather delays and re-bookings on all the airlines so I guess my advice is never be too wedded to one airline in today's flying environment.

Good Luck!!!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

DELTA DELTA DELTA!

I fly Delta at LEAST twice a week on business and have NEVER once had a flight time changed in the past 5 years. I have had a couple of flights cancelled due to mechanical issues on Delta, Northwest and American though so things do happen.

I despise the cattle call with SWA. Give me a confirmed seat! There have been threads about SWA not allowing pre-boarding with small children on some flights out of MCO so if you are counting on that then don't.

Sign up for the Delta Skymiles program and go book your flights. Choose your seats and then check back once a week or so on the Delta website if you are nervous about times or seat changes.

 

[Jen72386]

we are flying out Sept 13-17. I can get roundtrip Delta $122 from RDU.

I don't know if I should wait for sw fares. last year in sept their ding fares were $78 roundtrip

southwest fares have now been released through oct 27!

 

[rsschneck]

I would go with Delta. Yes, they do change flight times/numbers but that is easy to fix with a phone call. You can pick your seats. If there is a mechanical problem Delta has partner airlines it deals with. If you fly SW and there is a delay then you wait for them. No other option!

 

[Laura]

southwest fares have now been released through oct 27!

Yes, but not Ding! fares.

We used SW for our last trip and got an unbelieveably cheap fare with Ding! We don't mind the cattle call, although I prefer having an assigned seat. Who doesn't? But if in this case you're not going for a Ding! fare, I would book with Delta to give you the better arrival/departure times.