Tell me about Southwest!

[elaine and the boys]

Planning a trip next February....and it will be the first time flying instead of driving from Massachusetts! Thinking of a non-stop from TFGreen in Providence on Southwest.

Tell me what you know about Southwest, please!

Thanks!!!
Elaine

 

[swabikedude]

I am a bit biased....so let me know if you have any questions!!! Be sure to check out the web site too...it helps a lot!

James

http://www.southwest.com

 

[disneydreamerinny]

I will be flying Southwest for the first time in about 10 days. When I come back, I will let you know. I'm a bit nervous, because we are use to having tv's on the flight.

 

[elaine and the boys]

Well, I'd love your opinions/experience comments. Also, how far out can you book? Is there a certain # of days out from your return flight date? This will be my first time booking/flying, so any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[DisGeebs]

We tend to fly Southwest to FL (and other areas such as CA) alomst exclusively and never had any issues. Many people freak out about the open seating, but if you get in the A group (or pay extra for the early borading group) you will be fine. To be honest, if you have a C group it is still ok. (if you do get a C and your party is split up, try to be really nice and someone will probably move.. I have for families, nervous fliers, etc. hey.. I live with my husband... I can sit away from him) The seats are fairly comfortable for airline seats.. bigger than other carriers. I can attest to this since my husband is 7 feet tall and notices the difference in other airline seats. The crew have been pleasant everytime we have flown. Take something to eat with you since the snack is really small, but it is something. We have a portable DVD player and movies on our I phone to pass the time.. I would suggest doing the same to deal with the no TV issues.
I like the fact there is no hassle with paying for each piece of checked bags. We find SW to be one of the best.

 

[Sherrkel]

I haven't been able to fly southwest because I find their fares to be too high during school breaks from new england (especially from manchester airport were we'd prefer to depart IF we did book SW). Looks like you're going the same week as us, Pres week. We're going to try jet blue again out of boston; flew them in 2007 trip and liked the in-flight tv's - helped to distract me (don't like flying) and pass the time. Flew delta last year from BOS and didn't care to much for constant equip/seat changes; espec when they didn't assign our three seats on the last change and we almost didn't have seats together.

 

[sydneysmom]

Southwest is AWESOME!!! we fly into TF Green on SW everytime we go home to my parents house (on Cape Cod). They don't charge for luggage....it's just no frills. I've never had a bad experience. I never understood the whole thing w/ SW and thought it was weird that you don't book your seat assignment in advance, but my boss talked us into trying it. (and the prices can't be beat over Delta and the other big ones). We don't get Jet Blue or Air Tran out of our airport, so SW is the cheapest.

We made sure we checked in 24 hrs in advance to get a good boarding pass letter ( the earlier you check in, the better chance of an A / B boarding pass which means you'll get first choice of seats). Now, apparently, SW is part of resort check in at most or all Disney hotels so you won't have to pay $10 early bird check in to get a good boarding letter...you can do it from your phone or your hotel.
All in all, I would choose SW first over any other airline. We're checking prices on the website daily for our Sept flight...I don't want to fly any other airline. I don't think you'll be sorry choosing them.....they're wonderful and their staff is also very wonderful.

 

[Luv2Diz]

We love SWA. Generally good prices (though occasionally NOT the cheapest depending on where and when you are flying). Love the free baggage check and the ability to change flights without penalty. Friendly staff - we have had some great flight attendants. I love that their flights usually run on time and, more times than not, our flight has arrived earlier than scheduled. On our latest flight in January, we arrived 30 minutes early!

And you still get a snack on SWA, such as peanuts, cookies or crackers. The last Delta and United flights we took, we got a beverage only, no matter how long the flight was. I always prefer to book SWA!

 

[linzbear]

We used to do JetBlue from Logan (we live about 20min from Logan), but now do SW out of TF Green. It's actually cheaper for us to drive into RI and park than it is to get to Logan. We also have the SW rewards card, so we usually have a free flight.

Book as soon as it opens up (stalk the site the morning they are released), and check in at 24 hours in advance - then you'll get the best prices and the best seats!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Well, I'd love your opinions/experience comments. Also, how far out can you book? Is there a certain # of days out from your return flight date? This will be my first time booking/flying, so any suggestions would be helpful.

SWA opens about 6 months of schedule at a time. If you go to their website under Travel Tools, you will be able to see the dates you can reserve to and when they are releasing their next batch of dates. One of the things I love about SWA, is that because they only release a few months at a time, they don't keep changing the schedule or cancelling existing flights. Once the schedule is set, only weather or mechanical issues will change a flight.

Sometimes SWA is only open for one leg of your trip and you have to wait to the next release to book your return fare. No problem with SWA as you can also get credit when SWA reduces the airfare on your flight and use it within a year of original purchase.

 

[MinnieLee]

Love, love SWA. 99% of the time they are on time or ahead of schedule. Somehow, even if they leave late, the manage to make up time. Free luggage, great flight crews, easy to book and get credit if fares change. No charge for non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. You can also receive coupons for alcoholic drinks and beer.

Last year with flew to HH and had to pay for curbside check in with another airline. We have never paid for curbside with SWA. I know alot of people don't like the "A", "B", "C" boarding but their early bird check in option is great -especially coming home from WDW. I am usually able to print our boarding passes going out of ISP but I pay the $10 coming home so I do't have to get to guest services or concerige at the 24 hour mark. No TVs but a good book or a nap is a great alternative.

Their web site is relatively easy to navigate. Right now they are open for reservations until 10/30. We are leaving 10/30 so we are booked and will wait for the next opening to book our return.

All in all, great airline.

 

[JasonDVC]

Pretty much use them exclusively. They're fares are just so much cheaper than the big airlines. I don't care about not having a TV or a big meal. Who cares? I'd rather pay less

 

[ccgirl]

I see you are from Cape Cod just like I am. SW is the only airline we fly. I have tried others but they just don't compare IMHO. I love that they have never switched my flight times. You don't have to worry about them switching your seats around because they do not assign them. They have open seating. You can pay $10 for Early Bird Check In. SW will check you in at the 48 hour mark giving you a better chance at an A boarding pass (but not a guarantee). Personally, I don't pay the extra. I have gotten "C" boarding passes and we have all sat together. They have three groups, A, B, and C. YOu are assigned a boarding letter/number according to when you checked in. If you have children under 4, sometimes under 2, you can do family boarding. That is after A but before B regardless of what letter you have been assigned. If you received A you still want to board with A since that would be better. I like that I can check my bag for free. I bring a portable DVD player so I really don't care if there is a tv in my seat. All the staff I have encountered have been wonderful. As someone mentioned, I usually book as soon as they come out to guarantee I can get the flight I want. I then watch the fares. If they go down, I rebook and get the lower price. I then get a ticketless travel refund which I can use toward a new flight that is within 12 months of the original booking date. For this trip in May we had $185 in travel funds from our October trip. Sorry...this may be TMI but I really love the airline. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

 

[elaine and the boys]

Wow! Thanks for all of the testimonials and advice! I'm really excited about my first ever plane ride...and getting to Disney in 3ish hours rather than the usual 23 hours! Southwest sounds friendly and good for our budget, too. I'm going to check out their website more carefully so I can be first in line for tickets once they become available.

Thanks again!!

 

[elaine and the boys]

Hey there, ccgirl, fellow Cape Codder! Do you usually fly out of Boston or Providence? It appears that Providence has the non-stops for Southwest.

Where are you located on Cape? I'm in Barnstable!