Southwest Airlines

For years I was a delta only girl. I’ve slowly switched to southwest and delta is my secondary airline now. Some people have an issue with no seat assignment but honestly it isn’t that bad. Just check in exactly 24 hours before your plane is scheduled to leave and you should be early in line and get the seat you always wanted.

Southwest is my go-​to airline. I like the seating system where you get to choose your own seat. Check in as early as possible online to nab a better seating position. I didn’t get a chance to do that, so I ended up with seating position C45, which is basically dead last. Not wanting to be at the very back of the plane and dealing with finding space in the overhead, I opted to upgrade my seating position at the boarding counter for $ 40. Jumped up from C45 to A8. I think it’s worth it. Next time, to save the bucks, I’ll try to check in earlier. The staff are usually friendly and patient. No issues so far flying Southwest. Oh, and I love how the first two checked bags are free. I usually only fly without carry-​on, but this time I needed to check a box in.

I always find it funny to read the not so nice reviews. Seeing people complain about various items, such as purchasing the early bird check-​in only to end up at B20-​something. Or how long the SWA lines are.
Contrary to popular belief, the information is out there, and explained in detail. The check-​in process, estimated times at different airports. It’s all on their website. If, by chance, one is a technology challenged individual, one can call the SWA toll free number and speak with a representative, and they can answer and explain everything. SWA employees, I have learned, like to talk!
I travel a lot for business. A LOT! I normally have my SWA Companion Pass sometime in February. Some of us may have to research what a companion pass is. SWA is my preferred carrier. I dread having to fly another airline, to the point I have gotten things rescheduled so as not to go.
So seeing some of the low star /​negative reviews is hilarious. Majority of them are those casual travelers, wanting the 1^st Class experience, but reluctantly paying the lowest fare possible.
If you absolutely must not sit in the middle… Pay for a higher fare, or learn what the check-​in process is, or the boarding process, OR fly with someone else where you pick your assigned seat.
Good luck with the last option, since you won’t be able to blame anyone else for your seat.

Paid extra for so called «Early Bird Check In». When I got my boarding pass I was A56. This is likely a middle seat. So what exactly is the advantage I was sold? The gate agent said it was so that I didn’t have to check in myself, which doesn’t really address the «Early Bird» part of this marketing ploy. Don’t be fooled – this is a rip off.

Consistently great customer service with Southwest airlines. I love how the first two bags are free as well as no charge to change your flight status. They still offer complimentary drinks, pretzels and peanuts. The flight attendants are very humorous and keep things upbeat. Gate and ticketing agents are very helpful and accommodating. The Kansas City airport is very small so it is easy to maneuver.

Whatever your opinion is on the open seating, you can’t beat how SW doesn’t charge for your two checked bags and there’s no change fee if you need to change your flight. I’ve always found the staff on the ground and in the air pleasant and welcoming. I will say I’m over the singing flight attendants and those that try to be comedians. I applaud the effort but we’ve been there done that. Even if I’m in the early B boarding group, I almost always get a window or an aisle seat. The Early Bird check in isn’t really worth it anymore since so many people get it now. You’re better off watching the clock and checking in when it comes available. I also like their Rapid Rewards program. I’ve never had any hassles redeeming my points for a flight.

Added a star because SWA did compensate us for the inconvenience. Still didn’t make it to our music festival, but I was pleasantly surprised with the follow-​up communication and proactive effort to make things right.

My experiences with Southwest have been mostly good. They’re definitely the «budget» airline, but they treat their customers with hospitality and I really appreciate their upfront costing. While it’s a little convoluted, I think their «first come, first served» seating policy is a really good idea as it does seem to make boarding go a lot faster.

Used to love SWA, but it’s no longer the fun little airline that goes where I want to go. My last trip to California was an ordeal. The narrow 17 inch seats are fine if you don’t mind sitting with your arms crossed and with your knees pressing against the seat in front of you. They have cut the space for living human beings so they can squeeze in a row or two more. It’s pure torture to sit frozen for almost 3 hours.
Usually the staff is first-​rate but I encountered a gate agent at McCarran in Las Vegas that was incredibly rude. I wanted to upgrade my seats for my return flight to KC. She and her fellow employee was having such a good time talking and laughing, it took quite a while for her to complete my request. She kept apologizing over and over, but she never stopped talking/​laughing with her friend. I was not pushy or impatient, the plane wasn’t even there yet, but it seemed she could have completed my transaction and then gone back to her party.
If SWA keeps cutting the space for passengers, it’s goodbye from me.
P. S. I love flying out of and into KCI. My lovely little hometown airport.

I like Southwest, because I’ve figured out their regimen, and only once haven’t gotten the seats I want through their bus-​stop line up mentality. They also offer good bonuses, and the Kansas City Airport seems to handle the clientele quite well.
Still, there are many things that could glitch — so as with all airports, get TSA Pre, decide if you want to pay 12.50 per person to get a better place in the bus line, and so on.

The good old cattle call seating of Southwest Airlines dominates this little airport. They seem to run very consistently. There are a lot of routes that get here. The prices aren’t the most expensive in the world, but they can get pretty pricey because of the captive market.
They’re ALWAYS better than United.

This is my Go-​To airline. I like their business plan. I like their prices. Their planes are clean. Their stewards and stewardesses are friendly and helpful. Sometimes they are hilarious making travel times shorter.
Definitely an airline I will continue to fly.

Truly, for domestic travel, Southwest is the way to go.
A few positives:
–You can check a bag without paying ridiculous fees
–You can change your flight without outrageous change fees. You just pay the difference in the ticket price. And sometimes they give you money back, if your new fare is cheaper. That is unheard of!
–They don’t operate on the hub system which means more direct flights and when a connection is necessary, the total travel time is usually less because the connections tend to make more sense.
–It doesn’t take very long to rack up enough points for a free flight.
–Most of the employees seem to actually enjoy their jobs.
–They seem to have fewer late flights than other airlines.
If I had one major complaint, it’s that they have put in new seats that are less comfortable and seem more cramped. But hey, they have to keep up with the Joneses when it comes to packing in the customers like sardines.

My dad and I are traveling to Chicago, MSP to MDW is only an hour and a half away by plane. Our flight was delayed 4 hours. And we understand because there was a big storm the night before. We had tix to sold out Saturday night music festival. We tried to re-​book an earlier flight. The gate lady told us that it was a connecting flight. And we where fine with that. She said nothing about standby. She said «just stay on the plane» and lo and behold we are on standby. And we got stranded in Kansas City Missouri. Thanks southwest (she said sarcastically)

The following feedback is for my flight from MCI to LAX on 11÷22÷14:
The flight attendants were beyond unprofessional! There were 3 women (and I’m a woman so this hurts me to say it) chatting amongst themselves during the most important parts of the flight, mainly the on-​boarding. There was one who was obviously pissed about something regarding her job and showed it without any concern for the fact that customers are sitting right there within earshot.
There was no welcome or info (like stating how long the flight would be, etc). Nothing of anything other than their ridiculous self-​centered behavior.
During the food/​beverage «service», I typically don’t consume anything because I have food allergies and bring my own water. When the attendant offers me food or a beverage, I always smile and politely say, «No thanks.» When I did that this time, the attendant said to me, «Well, if you don’t want anything then just take it and pass it down.» Really?!.
The whole flight, the messages from the attendants came over the speakers very terse, seeming like they were talking down to the passengers. I sat in 2C and was able to see the completely unprofessional attitude going on. These women should be reprimanded at the very least. Or, perhaps that is the way of Southwest these days.
One thing to add: Two separate gentlemen carried on duffle bags that would clearly have fit in the overhead bins. The flight was full but before they could assess whether those bags could fit in the bins, the attendant tersely reprimanded the passengers for bringing bags that were «clearly too big to fit in the overhead bins.» They told both passengers that their bag «would take up a whole bin just by itself!» This was loud enough to hear back to row 8 or 9. Again, appalling behavior.
Those flight attendants should be told that they are there to serve the customers, not the other way around.

Choosing an airplane carrier is all about price and customer service. Southwest offered not only the best price, but the customer service at this location was amazing. The staff was extremely courteous and always had a smile on their faces (don’t know how that’s possible).
If I ever needed anything, they were quick and very willing to get it for me. And they would even offer to bring more drinks, snacks, whatever. Southwest is just an amazing airline with all of their perks such as free cancellation, free checking bags, etc, but I had no idea the service would be so good. It’s what really sets it apart from a lot of other airlines.
Bottom line:
I will always fly southwest if I can. Even if it costs more. Just do it, it will be worth it in the end.

It’s cheap. That has to be the first thing you say about Southwest. Nobody is raving about their first class (their is none), their food (peanuts), or their comfortable seats (they’re basic). But it’s cheap. And that’s why you’re on Southwest, you cheap son of a… (yeah, me too).
But they were friendly at the gate here, got me on board quickly and safely, and I made it home drama-​free. That’s as good as it gets in 2014, I’m afraid.

When it comes to air travel in the USA no one does it better then these folks.
Read the books on the history of SWA and how the big boys tried to put them out of business before they even got started. Makes you appreciate just how good their business model is.
I hear people complain about getting the middle seat. Guess what when the seating is three and three on any plane for any airline someone is seating in the middle seat! Guess who it is, those who book late. Book early and check in early!
Overall they get you where they said at the time they said. No charge for luggage or other hidden fees. Easy to change tickets and apply what you paid.
Hats of to a company that overall does it right.

We fly Southwest a lot.
It’s cheap, you can fly to many airports direct from the Bay Area and others are only a stop away. The flight attendants are often funny, nice and even generous with a free cocktail occasionally.
You get to check a couple bags for free, which cuts down the amount of bags, strollers and car seats that people will try to bring on to the flight.
They make these nice little cocktails and you get to enjoy them sky high with a view of towns, clouds or the ocean.

Ugh… Southwest has become so overrated it’s not even funny. Much like my previous review, I am still a huge frequent flier, mostly with American. However, I do occasionally go elsewhere, albeit it rarely. Most recently, I found myself on Southwest going to San Diego, because my plans changed last minute and I really needed a nonstop for scheduling reasons.
My flight there was fine. The flight back was awful. Note that I was on a full-​fare $ 500 segment, and had the audacity to ask for a full can of soda (I imagine that was like a $ 0.30 expense for Southwest?). The flight attendant acted like I asked her for a kidney, but eventually brought the drink, sans any ice (mmm warm soda), with a nice scowl on her face. When I finally got to Kansas City, my bag came out damaged in the zipper region, but Southwest says they «don’t cover the outside of the bag». I understand that’s common for airlines, but come on… you don’t cover the one part of the back (outside) that you have access to?
Ugh…Southwest. I’m flying you again in a couple weeks because I already have a ticket, but I’m remembering why I only average one trip a year on them. Back to American I go.