SWA vs Delta?

[jessgood1]

OK. I'm ready to make my air reservations (so I can just STOP obessessing about it - LOL)! I have not flown in almost 20 years! (and HATE it)

I can do Delta or Southwest - the same price and approx. the same times. I have 5 people traveling, 2 adults, 3 kids (2, 4, 5).

Which carrier would you go with?

 

[prncess674]

If both options are direct non-stop flights then -Southwest Airlines - better on time record, friendlier staff.

If one involves a stop or change in planes then I would go with the non-stop direct flight.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by jessgood1
OK. I'm ready to make my air reservations (so I can just STOP obessessing about it - LOL)! I have not flown in almost 20 years! (and HATE it)

I can do Delta or Southwest - the same price and approx. the same times. I have 5 people traveling, 2 adults, 3 kids (2, 4, 5).

Which carrier would you go with?

Since Delta ( once my all time favorite) finds switching, cancelling or delaying flights a new sport, I would go with SWA. They seem to be on time, they are very friendly ad with your little ones you will be allowed to preboard.

 

[poohbear2]

I prefer Delta. I have never had a problem with being late and the staff was allready friendly. I also have a thing about knowing where I am sitting. Since I don't have younger children,
I can't help but fret about being split up with my 8 year old son. I have a friend who was really split up with her son, who was 7 at the time. Noone offered to move so she could sit with her him. Maybe I am over protective but that sort of bothers me.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by poohbear2
I prefer Delta. I have never had a problem with being late and the staff was allready friendly. I also have a thing about knowing where I am sitting. Since I don't have younger children,
I can't help but fret about being split up with my 8 year old son. I have a friend who was really split up with her son, who was 7 at the time. Noone offered to move so she could sit with her him. Maybe I am over protective but that sort of bothers me.

there is no guarantee on Delta that you will be seated with your son. Equipment changes at the last minute will void all seat assignments and it sorta becomes an every man for himself mentaility on Delta as well.

 

[alexturner74]

On-time arrival statistics systemwide for 12 months ending April 2003:

Delta: 81.9% of flights
Southwest: 83.3% of flights

For Delta, the completion factor (flights operated versus scheduled) has been 98.9% YTD. I don't know what Southwest's is, but it's probably similar if not just a little bit better.

The operational statistics are usually quite similar now days for both. However, Southwest manages passenger expectations much better than any other airline.

 

[pokeysmom]

Definitely go with Southwest, we have been extremely happy with them. I agree with Gail the LAST time we flew with Delta we had a terrible experience.

 

[CAP Aircrew]

I personally would go with DELTA over SWA. Nothing against SWA as they are a great airline and making money to boot!

I just prefer knowing where I am going to sit. SWA does not assign seating. Delta does.

I always chuckle to myself when I walk by the Southwest gates and I see all these people lined up like cattle to get a decent seat. I especially feel bad for all the business people that have to waste all that time standing in line.

I don't travel on Delta that much as United is my preferred carrier. I am quite thankful that my company allows me to book my business travel on my airline of choice.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by CAP Aircrew
I personally would go with DELTA over SWA. Nothing against SWA as they are a great airline and making money to boot!

I just prefer knowing where I am going to sit. SWA does not assign seating. Delta does.

I always chuckle to myself when I walk by the Southwest gates and I see all these people lined up like cattle to get a decent seat. I especially feel bad for all the business people that have to waste all that time standing in line.

I don't travel on Delta that much as United is my preferred carrier. I am quite thankful that my company allows me to book my business travel on my airline of choice.

I chuckle when I walk by a Delta or AA flight getting ready to board and see all the families with children standing in line, since they don't preboard them anymore. I have yet to understand the cattle call mentality. If you have an A or B pass you are going to get a good seat. I generally wait until most of the line is in then get up. SWA, btw, does not change times, aircraft nor do they cancel flights. I will take my chances on a "cattle call" seat any day over not having one at all.

 

[jtbdas]

Having flow both they each present their own benefits.

SWA has a great on-time and completion ratio, only drawback is there stops during long routes.

Delta- got to love the assigned seats, I prefer picking my seats personally, however Delta's on-time stats are sometimes not the best, especially when you have a layover with a connecting flight...had two close calls when going to Vegas earlier this year, landed with only five minutes in between my next connection.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by prncess674
If both options are direct non-stop flights then -Southwest Airlines - better on time record, friendlier staff.

If one involves a stop or change in planes then I would go with the non-stop direct flight.

Really that simple (assuming fares are comparable).

 

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
...SWA, btw, does not change times, aircraft nor do they cancel flights...

Sure they do on a day-to-day operational basis. However, I assume you're talking about shedule changes down the line due to economic conditions as most other airlines have been doing?

 

[sabaka]

Funny I always chuckle when I see people lined up with AA, Delta etc., knowing they usually paid more than Southwest!! And I am an Ex American Airlines crew member!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by alexturner74
Sure they do on a day-to-day operational basis. However, I assume you're talking about shedule changes down the line due to economic conditions as most other airlines have been doing?

Yep, that is what I was saying. I like knowing, at this time, that the flights I booked will take off at that time (roughly). I understand the reasoning behind all the changes, but, it sure does not please people.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by sabaka
Funny I always chuckle when I see people lined up with AA, Delta etc., knowing they usually paid more than Southwest!! And I am an Ex American Airlines crew member!

I also chuckle cause I know my long legs are going to fit EVEN if someone reclines. Delta express gives a very cramped feeling.

 

[CAP Aircrew]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
I also chuckle cause I know my long legs are going to fit EVEN if someone reclines. Delta express gives a very cramped feeling.

You are absolutely right Gail. I wouldn't be caught "dead" on a Delta Express flight because they use 737-200's with very little seat pitch between the seats. Delta Express by the way is being phased out and those 737-200's are going over to Delta's mainline operations. Song is taking over for Delta Express and they are using 757-200's. This aircraft is much more fuel efficient and holds more people than a 737-200. The seat pitch on the 757 is 33 inches which is a little better than the 737-200 and probably similar if not better than Southwest's seat pitch. Southwest, by the way, flies only 737's and they are a mix between 737-300 and 737NG's (Next Generation). I'm not knocking the 737 as it is not only a great airplane but also the most popular.

My recent experience on Song was great and the fair I paid was better than what Southwest was offering.

I've never had the opportunity to fly Southwest and it would not be my airline of choice. When I do travel (business or pleasure) I always compare the prices with Southwest and on many occasions, Southwest is actually a little more than the other carriers. Maybe my timing is just off, who knows.

I do think that from a business standpoint Southwest is a great airline. Their operational cost is much lower than any other airline. Their employees seem happy and their business model obviously works. If not, they would have gone out of business a long time ago.

It's just not my airline of choice. I travel mainly out of Providence and the lines at Southwest are always longer than over at United, Delta or American. Maybe "cattle call" is too harsh of a word, but I see these people lining up in their cues 2 hours before their flight and I just find it a big turnoff.

Just my humble opinion in this world of free speech!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by CAP Aircrew
You are absolutely right Gail. I wouldn't be caught "dead" on a Delta Express flight because they use 737-200's with very little seat pitch between the seats. Delta Express by the way is being phased out and those 737-200's are going over to Delta's mainline operations. Song is taking over for Delta Express and they are using 757-200's. This aircraft is much more fuel efficient and holds more people than a 737-200. The seat pitch on the 757 is 33 inches which is a little better than the 737-200 and probably similar if not better than Southwest's seat pitch. Southwest, by the way, flies only 737's and they are a mix between 737-300 and 737NG's (Next Generation). I'm not knocking the 737 as it is not only a great airplane but also the most popular.

My recent experience on Song was great and the fair I paid was better than what Southwest was offering.

I've never had the opportunity to fly Southwest and it would not be my airline of choice. When I do travel (business or pleasure) I always compare the prices with Southwest and on many occasions, Southwest is actually a little more than the other carriers. Maybe my timing is just off, who knows.

I do think that from a business standpoint Southwest is a great airline. Their operational cost is much lower than any other airline. Their employees seem happy and their business model obviously works. If not, they would have gone out of business a long time ago.

It's just not my airline of choice. I travel mainly out of Providence and the lines at Southwest are always longer than over at United, Delta or American. Maybe "cattle call" is too harsh of a word, but I see these people lining up in their cues 2 hours before their flight and I just find it a big turnoff.

Just my humble opinion in this world of free speech!

No, "cattle call" is appropriate and I do agree. There is absolutely no reason to line up 2 hours ahead of time when you are holding a boarding pass with A or B on it. Maybe a line up a few minutes early with a C boarding pass.

For us, SWA fills the bill for times and fares. It does not work for everyone. You simply have to do what is correct for you.