I like Southwest - I really do!

[Cruiser Elite]

Not really a TR but more expression of thoughts - I know many here will be thinking 'Finally irrefutable evidence that this dude is a CLOWN' - but I am happy to stick by my statement.

We recently flew 4 sectors on Southwest - clearly all in Y - but for short haul flts within USA I just think they are more than adequate - and what's more they are FUN to fly with.

Now I know many here will consider WN nothing short of cattle trucks - and YES I have seen occasions where this might be true - but with minimal pre-planning a more than acceptable flying experience can be achieved - a few thoughts here:

• Always book early to get cheap flts - pretty basic huh
• Pay for 'Early Bird' boarding - may increase cost but well worth it
• First 2pcs checked luggage FREE is a huge + in LOTFAP
• The 'Crew' really do look like they love coming to work each day - they make the journey FUN

These were the sectors we flew and cost per pax:

• LAX-LAS - 1hr 10min - USD41 + EB USD12.50
• LAS-BNA - 3hr 35min - USD197 + EB USD12.50
• BNA-HOU - 2hr 05min - USD152 + EB USD12.50
• HOU-LAX - 3hr 30min - USD63 + EB USD12.50

Seating is 'Open Seating' - no pre-assigned seats - every man for himself - hence the benefit of EB to access more desirable seats and guarantee o/h bin space. Soft drinks are free / coughtails USD3ea - I drank Bloody Marys / G & Ts basically from take off to landing or til I fell asleep on all flts - did not pay a cent for any coughtails on any flt. I am not a status chaser so that is last thought I ever have - I just enjoy the WN experience.

 

[Buzzard]

Not really a TR but more expression of thoughts - I know many here will be thinking 'Finally irrefutable evidence that this dude is a CLOWN' - but I am happy to stick by my statement.

We recently flew 4 sectors on Southwest - clearly all in Y - but for short haul flts within USA I just think they are more than adequate - and what's more they are FUN to fly with.

Now I know many here will consider WN nothing short of cattle trucks - and YES I have seen occasions where this might be true - but with minimal pre-planning a more than acceptable flying experience can be achieved - a few thoughts here:

• Always book early to get cheap flts - pretty basic huh
• Pay for 'Early Bird' boarding - may increase cost but well worth it
• First 2pcs checked luggage FEE is a huge + in LOTFAP
• The 'Crew' really do look like they love coming to work each day - they make the journey FUN

These were the sectors we flew and cost per pax:

• LAX-LAS - 1hr 10min - USD41 + EB USD12.50
• LAS-BNE - 3hr 35min - USD197 + EB USD12.50
• BNE-HOU - 2hr 05min - USD152 + EB USD12.50
• HOU-LAX - 3hr 30min - USD63 + EB USD12.50

Seating is 'Open Seating' - no pre-assigned seats - every man for himself - hence the benefit of EB to access more desirable seats and guarantee o/h bin space. Soft drinks are free / coughtails USD3ea - I drank Bloody Marys / G & Ts basically from take off to landing or til I fell asleep on all flts - did not pay a cent for any coughtails on any flt. I am not a status chaser so that is last thought I ever have - I just enjoy the WN experience.

You flew from Las Vagas to Brisbane in 3hr 35min??? WOW!!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Sorry - typo - my bad - fixed - BNE should be BNA (Nashville)

 

[UP4014]

I have never used them, but they have good name (at present) but not without some problems along the way.

You have some excellent fares there.

Matt

 

[get me outta here]

Cruiser, I think this is a typo too and that you meant 'FREE' (just for people who may not know about that great perk).

• First 2pcs checked luggage FEE is a huge + in LOTFAP

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Tks gmoh - yes another typo - fixed also

 

[TomVexille]

I grew up flying WN. I'm a fan.

 

[Fifa]

And don't forget there is no change fee, just the fare difference.

 

[Alanslegal]

On our recent RTW trip, we flew three sectors on South West too (LAX-SFO, SFO-LAS, LAS-MSY) (normally I am a Jet Blue fan, which we did fly them MSY-JFK). We chose South West because they were the cheapest and they offer two complimentary checked luggage (many other airlines charge for the first checked bag unless you are an elite). Yes there is no allocated seating but you are allocated a Group number where you line up, eg. A1-20, A21-40, A41-60, B1-20, B21-40 and so on - which is very orderly and efficient.

Because of the two free checked luggage, most people checked in luggage which meant less things carried on board - and consequently the time people boarded and settled in was efficient and fast One crew even announced a well done to everyone on board for checking in luggage, it was a full flight, when there was still around a third of overhead bin space available.

I'd recommend South West anytime for intra-USA flights.

 

[Daver6]

Your experience mirrors mine. An example of a good business model. Flying is fun with them.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

We had arr delay into LAX of 24hrs due to SQ 380 blowing an engine on take off from Narita - I called Southwest and spoke to a great guy on the phone who was able to get us onto a very suitable flt 24hrs later even though flt showing sold out online - he also arranged the substitute flt at no extra cost - I was expecting maybe US150 ea but just no charge at all - he was a STAR.

 

[dajop]

Flown them once (SEA-LAS), and they were good by USA standards I thought. Much better than the US flight LAS-SFO a few days later. The tables have turned for non-status economy passengers in USA, that the supposed "low cost carriers" are actually better to travel on than the ex-full service/legacy carriers.

So perhaps your first post is .... irrefutable evidence that this dude is a NOT a clown