Southwest Airlines

[Hoofbite]

I've never really particularly preferred SWA but after my most recent experience I might fly them exclusively from here on out.

I have a trip I was supposed to make, leaving last night at 10. I've completely deprived myself of sleep for about a week and when I finally finished my last project today I crashed as hard as I ever have. I woke up at midnight and obviously I'm screwed.

I bought my tickets late so 2 one-ways was much cheaper than a round trip. SWA on the way out, United on the way back. I called SWA and the lady was like, "no biggie, I'll just set your ticket to voucher status and you can use it whenever you want. Would you like a courtesy boarding on the next flight with only the difference in cost being what you'll pay"?

Hell yes I would.

I've been exploring all options in terms of getting to my destination on time. If SWA will let people just move tickets around, maybe I'll get lucky with United.

I call United and the lady said my ticket would go to voucher status. Then she followed it up by saying that at the time of rebooking I'll need to pay $200 for the "rebooking fee". The ticket cost $230. Then she has the nerve to tell me that if I don't make my flight the ticket will lose it's value.......as if paying $200 and having $30 remaining is not losing it's value.

This after the fact that SWA comped me $100 the last time I flew them because lightning hit the plane we were supposed to ride and they said "it took a pretty significant hit". Like there are other types of lightning strikes. I mean, 1.21 gigawatt strikes don't come in the "insignificant" category as far as I know.

 

[Shunpike]

I like SWA

My company policy states I either fly Delta or United but for my personal trips, I use them. On my last trip, the flight was delayed 60 minutes. Not much. We had to wait in the plane for around 30 minutes or so. Well the plane took off and I asked for 2 Jack and Coke. The hostess brought it. When I wanted to pay, she said it was on them.

I had similar experiences with Delta and United but never had free drinks. Well. I have 6 hours to board on a Delta plane for an 11 hour flight. I wish it was SWA.

 

[WoodysGirl]

SWA is my preferred airline simply because it's the main hub in the airport closest to me. If I had to fly one of the other airlines, it's somewhat of a pain to drive an hour to the other side of town to get there. But if I had to, then I fly United since that's the main hub for that airport.

I got frequent flier miles for both.

 

[Future]

I flew SWA a bunch of times when I was at school in Illinois. Flights from Chicago to Buffalo were like $63 or something. Longer trip I might try to find something where I can pick my seat ahead of time - because Im huge lol - but other than that, I liked SWA.

 

[Nova]

I've never personally flown with SWA because I don't really travel much, but I've heard nothing but stories like yours, Hoof.

From what I hear, it costs a little extra up front, but the with the way they treat their customers, it's worth it.

Plus, bags fly free and are handled by the most enthusiastic baggage handlers ever.

 

[adbutcher]

They only by Boeing, so I have a natural affinity for SWA. If it ain't Boeing then I am not going.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I like SW. Hard to find direct flights from Albuquerque to Washington but SW has one. I like them.

 

[Tabascocat]

SW gets a bad wrap from a lot of people, undeservedly so IMO. They have great customer service, free luggage to a point and has a lot of flights to choose from. They are cheaper than most too. Sure, sometimes I feel like I'm in a cattle call but I will take them over United and Frontier any day. If I am flying for an extended period of time, then I will go with someone else for more comfort.

 

[Yeagermeister]

It's been a long time since I have flown SWA but never had a problem with them. I don't know if they still do it but if you got to the airport early you could switch to an earlier flight with no problem. I also liked their first come first serve seating policy. Thankfully Delta removed hub status from our airport so we can get more options. SWA is starting to fly out of Memphis starting this month I believe.

 

[theogt]

Southwest is fantastic. I'm torn, though, because I have so many United miles that I feel obligated to fly United to keep racking them up. I may just give it up, because United seems to get worse every day. I've flown 6 times in the past month, and I sat in the plane waiting for takeoff (either at the terminal or in line for the runway) for at least 1.5 hours on 3 of those flights. They can't seem to get their scheduling worked out -- or don't care.

 

[theogt]

It's been a long time since I have flown SWA but never had a problem with them. I don't know if they still do it but if you got to the airport early you could switch to an earlier flight with no problem. I also liked their first come first serve seating policy. Thankfully Delta removed hub status from our airport so we can get more options. SWA is starting to fly out of Memphis starting this month I believe.

You can switch flights on their mobile app on the way to the airport. It's unbelievably convenient for business travel when you don't know how long meetings will last.

 

[VietCowboy]

SWA is one of my favorites too and prefer them over most others. I like JetBlue and Virgin America, but flew them a loooong time ago, so I don't know what they are like now.

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[5Stars]

I like SWA

My company policy states I either fly Delta or United but for my personal trips, I use them. On my last trip, the flight was delayed 60 minutes. Not much. We had to wait in the plane for around 30 minutes or so. Well the plane took off and I asked for 2 Jack and Coke. The hostess brought it. When I wanted to pay, she said it was on them.

I had similar experiences with Delta and United but never had free drinks. Well. I have 6 hours to board on a Delta plane for an 11 hour flight. I wish it was SWA.

That happens sometimes because the pilot forgets the keys to the plane at his hotel or at his house and he has to go back and get them.

 

[rynochop]

Plus they've never had a plane crash...which is nice.

 

[Wheeltax]

1.21 gigawatt

That's a bolt of lightning!

 

[DFWJC]

SWA is light years ahead of American and United when it comes having the customer's interest in mind.

Part of it is the unionvs non-union thing.
American will delay or outright cancel a flight for rain, for example. Not lightening, rain.
Also, if the flight is not full enough, they will cancel it and claim some obscure reason. Its very frustrating.

 

[Yeagermeister]

SWA is light years ahead of American and United when it comes having the customer's interest in mind.

Part of it is the unionvs non-union thing.
American will delay or outright cancel a flight for rain, for example. Not lightening, rain.
Also, if the flight is not full enough, they will cancel it and claim some obscure reason. Its very frustrating.

Delta did that to me one time in Atl after they sent our plane to Charlotte.....in front of the storm instead of a city behind it

 

[big dog cowboy]

They only by Boeing, so I have a natural affinity for SWA. If it ain't Boeing then I am not going.

Never change AD.