Why use Southwest

[BobH]

Maybe I am missing something but I have been trying to book airfares from Mancheser, NH to MCO on SW for several weeks. The problem is that SW won't sell tickets after Feb 3. Given that American, Jet Blue & Delta are all in the same price range it seems highly unlikely that SW will be significantly cheaper and it hardly seems worth the aggravation of wondering when they will finally start selling tickets .... Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[boomhauer]

There are many threads on this.

If you book SW when the fares first come out, they indeed will be cheaper than Jet Blue or Song.

 

[BobH]

Problem is that SW just won't publish fares for Feb 2006 yet. This is an extreme inconvenience for anyone trying to plan a vacation in February when
school vacation takes place. I have learned that a "reasonable airfare" from New England to MCO can be anywhere from $160 to $250. If you can get that fare without the aggravation of the last minute planning SW puts you through - why would anyone wait for a SW ticket?

 

[Mister Incredible]

Jet Blue and Song don't fly out of Manchester, NH. It's worth the wait not to have to drive to Logan. The money you save on parking is worth it alone! Not to mention most other airlines that fly MHT to MCO are NOT non-stop.

Then SW has a no hastle price change. So if you book at $79 each way, when the price drops to $49 each way it is easy to change.

 

[boomhauer]

Plus, if you don't show up for a flight on SW, you just get a credit.

No doubt, they're easy to work with and cheap. Unfortunately, most people can't wait until 2 months or less before to book airfare.

 

[goofy4tink]

I usually fly Song but did fly SW in August. I just happened to be on-line at the exact right moment and got a terrific fare from Providence to Orlando. I booked it right then and there...then got busy looking for a place to stay!!! However, it only took one hour for the rates, at the times that most people want to fly at, to disappear. I have routinely gone to the SW site but can never find the fares and times I need. So, rather than wait their waiting game and sit by the keyboard holding my breath, I would rather pay a bit more and book with Song. Yes, I do have to keep checking on any changes, but I have no life, according to my kids, so what's the big deal??!! Might just be giving JetBlue a shot this winter.

 

[Mister Incredible]

Song already changed my flight times for both departure and returning in Feb. out of Logan. So as soon as SW comes out I will book and cancel Song.

If you use the "Ding" program you can usually significantly reduce your ticket price.

 

[seashoreCM]

Problem is that SW just won't publish fares for Feb 2006 yet. If you can get that [$181. RT or less] fare without the aggravation of the last minute planning SW puts you through - why would anyone wait for a SW ticket?

They shouldn't. Unless...

1. They're greedy and want to take their chances,

2. All the equivalently low priced seats on desirable flights on the other airlines are gone,

3. (mentioned before) The other airlines offering equivalently low priced seats fly out of a less convenient airport.

4. The other airlines may drop their fares when SW comes out with its fares.

The other airlines also put you through aggravation, waiting until midnight of the 331'st day in advance and finding that all the cheap seats went the evening of the 332'nd day in advance.

How many of the other parts of your vacation can be reserved with cancellation privileges? Except for airfare, is it really necessary to reserve that far in advance?

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

 

[maps]

One main reason--SWA is the only airline that flies non stop to MCO. That's the biggest draw for me and that's why I'm still waiting. Of course the cheapest non stop flight right now is Song ouf BDL for over $700 or Jet blue out of BOS for over $600. When SWA comes out, even the most expensive flight won't be that high.

 

[deltachi8]

To each their own...

Im going in March for a quick solo trip and flying Delta because I could actually use my frequent flyer miles for a change.

Otherwise, I wait for Southwest as they are the cheapest, most reliable and friendliest carrier I have ever flown. Additionally, out of Buffalo they are the only carrier that offer non-stop flights to MCO each day of the week.

If you need to book in advance, go with someone else. Its a choice, its the beauty of capitalism and competition.

 

[beccasmom]

We usually choose from either USAirways or SWA here in PHL. It is invariably a toss-up because when SWA has a fare sale, USAirways almost always meets their fares and vice versa. We've been flying USAirways for many years, but we have no great sense of loyalty toward them. They have a great schedule of flights to MCO and many of them are non-stop, so that's a positive. And we get some Dividend Miles. But their customer service has been spotty over the past year or so. SWA seems to offer great service and so far, has kept things very competitive in PHL, something that is long overdue. I would like to see them offer more flights to MCO - six in each direction each day now - but that is not a huge issue. I'd really like to be able to use them to travel to Dallas non-stop (for a decent fare), but I don't see that happening soon because of the Wright Amendment.

Delta does not offer any non-stops to MCO from PHL, a major disadvantage, IMHO. We do not have either Song or JetBlue here. Sometimes one has to bite the bullet and pay a higher fare than they would wish, but most of the time we can obtain a great fare now - well under $200.00 and sometimes well under $150.00 per person. That was not always the case. So I am grateful for SWA for that reason alone, even if we end up traveling with another carrier.

 

[tmt martins]

We love SWA yes it is a bit of a bother to keep checking when your time gap is going to open but when it does it's always cheaper then most.I just plan everything around the rooms knowing my fairs will be cheap if I keep up on then .
Also most of the flights listed for today will be the same ones listed for the next gap so timewise thats how we plan .

I caught the gap in June from BWI (md) to LAX (ca) for $158 for the 3 of us you just can't beat that.Could have gotten BWI to MCO for $102 but since making a late decision on DD taken out of school on MON instead of coming home SUN.it's $162 still not bad but would have like the $102 .

 

[Tinkim]

I fly out of MHT too. I like SW. . . don't love em but they are ok. My reasons for not booking with them the majority of the time are:

1. Can't stand waiting until two months before flying for the dates to be released.
2. We usually have up to 10 people flying and even if we are lucky enough to snag a good sale priced fare we can't get all 10 tickets at that price.
3. Most times when they do release the dates we need the sale fares sell out so fast I can't get one.
4. We have usually 3-4 adults and 5-6 kids flying and we like to sit together and find this a challenge on SW since we don't have kids young enough to pre-board. We have been spread out all over the plane and despite what you think people don't just offer to change seats.

I think SW is a good alternative for a lot of people but it doesn't usually work for me. BTW, I got tickets on Delta for Feb for $128 per person and even with the aggravation of scheduling changes it beats SW hands down. Judging by checking prices the last two years I would have paid at least $100 more per ticket with SW that is if the flights weren't sold out and I could get the sale fare at all. To each his own. Whatever works.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Personally, I feel that SWA is not worth the hassle. There are 8 airports within a 2 hour drive from my house, so I can book with other airlines for less or less hassle.

Last year, we waited for SWA to release fares. Each day, we watched and tuned in about 4 times a day. We missed the good fares by about an hour. We found better pricing and service from other carriers and decided not to "watch" SWA anymore.

In December, we are using AirTran and in April (Spring Break) we are using Song. Song is direct for $186! That's a great price for SB.

I think if you live more remotely, you're a more captive audience.

 

[boomhauer]

For me, personally, I like to book in advance as well, but SW is still worth it for me.

Here's why:

I live in Worcester, MA. My first airport of choice is Providence. They have non stops to Orlando.

Second choice would be Hartford. They have non stops to Orlando.

Third choice would be Manchester, NH. They have non stops to Orlando.

My plan is always, fly out on a Saturday first thing in the AM. I have 3 different airports to possibly get the best rate at. If, that fails, I can always fly out a bit later, and probably get that low far. And if all else fails, I can always fly out on either Friday or Sunday, and probably get that low fare.

Chances all those low fares in all those scenarios selling out on the first day are pretty slim.

 

[challada]

For me, it's a three hour drive to the airport and we don't have the options of Song or JetBlue for low priced airfare...therefore, SWA owns the market unless I want to pay double or triple for flights on the big carriers (UA, AA, NWA).

 

[jaff87]

For those from/near Connecticut, I too have been watching fares. We are going to WDW 8/7 - 8/15/06 leaving from BDL.

Right now, Song/Delta is $272 pp round trip - x 4 people, well over $1000 just for airfare. But, I am not too comfortable with SW, mainly because I have never used them before. We will have myself, DH, DS (9), DD (8). Would these ages qualify us to "pre-board" to get seats? What do you do upon your return from MCO? I keep reading how you have to go on line 24 hours in advance for a boarding pass, etc.? If you can shed some light, that would be great.

Also, DH is insisting that I do Song (this has been our mode of transportation for all of our WDW Trips) because of the entertainment factor for both kids with the TV (and for himself as well) and the food that is actually pretty good, too. Any secrets, suggestions/past experiences as to when/if at all, there is a chance Song will lower their airfare, please clue me in!

 

[Tinkim]

For those from/near Connecticut, I too have been watching fares. We are going to WDW 8/7 - 8/15/06 leaving from BDL.

Right now, Song/Delta is $272 pp round trip - x 4 people, well over $1000 just for airfare. But, I am not too comfortable with SW, mainly because I have never used them before. We will have myself, DH, DS (9), DD (8). Would these ages qualify us to "pre-board" to get seats? What do you do upon your return from MCO? I keep reading how you have to go on line 24 hours in advance for a boarding pass, etc.? If you can shed some light, that would be great.

Also, DH is insisting that I do Song (this has been our mode of transportation for all of our WDW Trips) because of the entertainment factor for both kids with the TV (and for himself as well) and the food that is actually pretty good, too. Any secrets, suggestions/past experiences as to when/if at all, there is a chance Song will lower their airfare, please clue me in!

The youngest child we had with us on our last SW flight was 6 and there was no preboarding for that age. I believe it is 5 and under so you wouldn't be able to preboard for that reason. I believe SW changed their policy regarding on-line check in so that you are now able to check in 24 hours in advance instead of after midnight the night before your flight. You may be able to get an "A" boarding pass by doing this. We had no access to a computer on the way back from Orlando last time to check in at all so all 11 of us including the kids were scattered about the plane.

 

[Paticake]

For Feb. school vacation week it might not be worth waiting for SW. It is usually high. If you can get a good price on Jet Blue or Song I'd do it. We loved Jet Blue flew it in Nov.04 and April 05. We are flying SW next week and just love the easy drive to Manchester,inexpensive parking etc. Although if you go Mass Pike all the way into Logan it is a much easier ride than it used to be. We got a $175/rt rate for next week. I also booked a trip in Jan. 2006 because I got a Ding fare of $47 each way!!!!! I would just book a fare that I could live with! We are right up the street by the way.

 

[baptrap]

The advance check-in policy was revised earlier this year from midnight to 24 hours before departure.

Even with the midnight policy, I had been able to check-in at 6am (when I get up) and still get a boarding pass in the A group for an evening flight.

For the return flight from Orlando, here is what you do:

1. If you have a laptop with you. Checking 24 hours before flight time. Since most people don't have access to a printer, they thought they were stuck, but Southwest always had a policy, just didn't advertise it, that the ticket agent can reprint a boarding pass. With the self service kiosk's in Orlando for people checking luggage, there is an option on the screen to reprint your boarding passes. I have done this the last 2 times to WDW with the kiosks and once with the ticket agent.

2. If you don't have a laptop. Simple. Give your confirmation numbers to a trustworthy relative with a computer and have them check you in 24 hours before departure. You then use the kiosk or the ticket agent to reprint the boarding passes.

Simple... Problem solved.

I have flown Southwest almost exclusively for the last 10 years. I have converted my DW who use to be a United and USair fan over. She won't fly anyone else.

I suggest to the thread's creator to purchase a copy of "NUTS!" Its the story about the founding of Southwest Airlines and will answer any questions you have on why SWA is such a great airline. Its not a stale dry history book, its actually very funny.... I spent a vacation at OKW's pool reading it. I kept getting weird looks from everyone because I kept laughing so much while I read it.

Southwest was founded upon Customer Service... Its what sets them apart from the other airlines. At what other airline would you see a pilot helping the flight attendants clean up the cabin before the passengers come aboard because the plane came in late and they were trying to make up the time and leave ontime.