Tell me about Southwest Airline??

[everylastbreath]

We've never used SW before, no assigned seats?? How does this work? Tell me procedure please!! Thanks- Also, do we pay for baggage?

 

[dacky041208]

2 free checked bags per person. For boarding policies:

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/checkin.html?int=GSUBNAV-AIR-BOARDING-INFO

or

http://www.southwest.com/help/boardingschool/index.html

 

[ccgirl]

LOVE...LOVE...LOVE them. Did I say I love them? I exclusively fly with them. Basically, you are booked into either A, B, or C boarding group according to how you were checked in. Within those groups you are also assigned a number. That is the boarding order. A lot of people get all up in arms about B passes/ C passes etc. I have had C passes and have yet not been able to sit with my party. THose with medical issues board first. Then the A group goes, then family boarding (those with children 4 and under), then B and then C. You can pay $10 for EBCI (early bird check in). That is when Southwest will check you in 36 hours before your flight; thereby, giving you a better chance of an A boarding pass. Frankly, I don't care where on the plane I sit so I never pay it. I have been on full flights before and, again, have never been split up from my party. Their seats are 3 across so my DH will take one child and I will take the other and either we will sit across the aisle from each other or the row in front or behind. The flight attendants are always very funny and kind. They do give a snack and drink on the plane too. Each person can bring a carry on bag and person item and check two bags for free. If you look at the travel tools on their website they have some great info. Relax and enjoy!

 

[bookgirl2632]

Count me as another fan of Southwest! I really don't fly anyone else. Between their low fares and their "Bags Fly Free" policy, I just don't think you can beat them. Some people don't like them because of the unassigned seats deal, but I really don't mind that at all. I like the fact that I can choose where I want to sit.

Now, I haven't done Early Bird Check-In, and I probably never will. The lowest I've ever gotten was B group and I still got to sit with my party.

Love Southwest!!

 

[iluveeyore]

I love Southwest too! Adding to the previous posters, you can also change your flight for no fee - if you find a cheaper flight or a better schedule after purchasing a flight, you can change it under the Travel Tools yourself, and receive a credit for a future flight. We just booked a one way for $109, the next day it went to $89, so I changed it and have a $120 credit to apply for the six of us whenever I book our return flight! So easy. And I like not having to pick your seats since most airlines charge extra for you to do so in advance. We picked seats on Airtran last year, didn't pay extra, and ended up in the very back of the plane and the 8 of us got split up due to available seating. With Southwest, you pick where you sit once you board, and we've always been able to sit together. Just check in 24 hours in advance online, and you're good to go. When you return home from WDW, you can check in at the front desk if you don't have a computer, or at any guest service desk at any of the parks. Give them a try - the no fees for baggage is an added bonus!

 

[maroo]

If you have an iPhone, get their iPhone app - it is free!

It will let you book flights and even check in for your flight if you happen to be away from a computer. This will help get you an early boarding position, even when you are enjoying the Parks or something!

 

[mjperry]

SWA has Professional friendly crew and when I step on a SWA flight I feel like already in the magic. And if you are lucky you may get David Homes aka the rapping flight attendant. Of course when I board SWA im only 1.5 hours from being vectored into the happiest place on earth... see you in the skyway.

 

[katemarcail]

My only complaint about SW is that other people are discovering the LUV and making my flights all full!

I actually prefer SW's boarding - you board with your assigned group (based on when you did the online check in thing) and pick your own seat. Since I usually fly solo I actually prefer B seating because that lets me pick who I'll be sharing a row with. The times I've flown with a larger group we really haven't had a problem - even if you're all with B you're likely to get to sit all together.

Since SW is my default airline the whole process of picking seats prior to getting on really doesn't do it for me. I want to see who I'll be next to and I don't like how, nine times out of ten, it seems the airline switches seats around on us anyway.

 

[mjperry]

Southwest Airlines is currently the largest carrier at MCO.
I just wish you could take a small airplane from MCO to Lake Buena Vista Airport like in the old days.

 

[mjperry]

For those of you that are Disney Fans and SWA Fans you should check this out.
http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/walt-disney-worlds-showcase

 

[MinnieLee]

LOVE, LOVE and LUV SWA. When ever we travel we always try to book SW. As pp, the A,B,C seatings are really no big deal. Their flights are hardly ever late and usually arrive early at the destination and somehow if they do depart late they make up time. We pay the $10 early bird check in on our return flights so we do not have to worry about being at guest services, concierge or calling home for someone to check us in at the 24 hour mark. The flight crew has always been fantastic. Their fares are usually lower than most airlines and then you have the DING fares. No baggage fees is a biggie!

I agree with katemarcail that the word is spreading!!!!!! GREAT AIRLINE!!!!

 

[verticalchaos]

Despise! I have 2 different flights booked going to different locations served by Southwest and other airlines (one of which is Orlando at Christmas). Not only can I get NONSTOP flights on other airlines, I have an assigned seat and don't have to do the cattle call thing. In BOTH cases for LESS than Southwest would charge - including baggage costs.

Don't just buy the hype - make sure you're getting the best price you can.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Their flights are hardly ever late and usually arrive early at the destination and somehow if they do depart late they make up time.

This simply isn't true. For the most recent statistics available from the Bureau of Transportation, SWA was late from April 1-May 1, 2010, 14.88% of the time.

Airlines which did better for that period of time include JetBlue (13.77% late), Continental (13.77% late), US Airways (10.91% late), and United Airlines (10.65% late).

It's fine to be loyal to SWA. However, they have just as many problems with delays as most other airlines. And often they do not have the cheapest flights.

http://www.bts.gov/xml/ontimesummar...marySelect.xml?tname=OntimeSummaryAirlineData

 

[brenalexacamp]

I live in Manchester, NH and I fly Southwest all the time- it has the lowest fares for me- non stops-love the 2 bags free- I can use a box as a suitcase to put my water and some wine in there-I have a child in a wheelchair so we board 1st- I find if a mom and child need to separated- someone will step up and let them sit together. I love when i book-and the fare goes down- I can go online and get credit for my next trip! Being a DVC owner- I will be going alot!