Andrew

rkkwan: I am still wondering why people think they're the cheapest. You explained a lot why they're great. And I totally agree. But my question wasn't answered. Why do people think they're cheap?

I'm not aware of Northwest having the kind of fare sales Southwest has with Ding. My October flight is cheaper than I could ever get it for on Northwest or any other airline, to my knowledge. They actually had a Ding sale on Labor Day for $44 each way PDX-PHL through October. I priced it out: I would have paid like $120 round-trip with tax. When people get fares like that they do think Southwest is cheaper, even if in some cases they aren't.

The "no change fee" thing also means "cheaper" because I would have had to pay $100+ more to change it had I booked that Northwest ticket instead of a Southwest ticket.

Andrew

Southwest certainly isn't always better. If I were flying Portland to San Diego I'd try to fly Alaska because they have non-stop flights, and Alaska is a decent airline. Southwest has some one-stop direct flights that wouldn't be horrible but of course it's easier and quicker to avoid another take-off and landing. Then again, if I got some killer fare from Southwest Ding to San Diego I'd probably fly them if I saved enough.

Southwest is my first preference, though. I've had enough of the "major" airlines. Bad experiences with AA over Christmas (not the first bad experience with AA) made me hope to avoid them in the future. I have an AA voucher to use up so I'm flying them to Europe next month but I hope that's the LAST time!

mlm59

I will always fly Southwest when possible after an experience I had last year.

I had booked tickets several months in advance for a trip to Denver on Frontier for a few dollars less than Southwest. Shortly before departure my husband had an emergency hospitilization.

My cheaper tickets ended up costing me another $200 to change. It doesn't matter the circumstance.

smartcookie

Southwest is cheap when booked ahead. Also, they're the only airline that offers you credit for full amount if you cancel the flight. So you can use it to reschedule your trip or for a completely different trip. You never lose money as you do with every other airline if you change your mind or your circumstances change.

In this case, I would go with Frontier if you're 100% sure you won't need to change the flight.

glimmer2

Thanks for all the input. Yes SW re-booking policy is a big plus. Their fares can be really good, it just depends on the route and when you book. Out of the the 3 Bay Area airports it can be hard to snag a good fare with them.
Virgin America is giving them a run for their money out of SFO. SW has had to drop some fares to LA and Las Vegas to compete.
I think we'll go with Frontier, I like their schedule better and the Direct TV sounds nice.

dmdevl

I think that fares and schedule aside, it depends on your travel style. My husband hates the line waiting and jostling for position on SW so much that it was worth it to me to pay more and risk change fees to get him an assigned seat that he didn't have to moo for.

We have now relocated to an area where SW doesn't service. I think their presence keeps flights more competitive.

LindainOhio

I fly SW and Frontier--other airlines too. Depends on where I am flying. Frontier has beautiful planes with large seats in coach and we love their non stop to Denver.

I like to fly SW just to keep them in business and encourage them to stay in Cleveland. The other airlines would not be lowering their fares if SW hadn't offered their lower fares. You only appreciate this if you are trying to fly somewhere where SW does not fly---you can never get cheap airfare there.

I also never line up. I have always had an A or B boarding and have always gotten an aisle seat, my preferred seat. I just get up when the line starts boarding. I never quite get the need to be in line--perhaps if I had small children, but most of the people in line don't seem to have children.

Yesterday, my husband's schedule changed and I needed to change his flight. It cost me $20--no change penalty--but the cheaper rate was sold out. Now that we can make the change online, why can't all the airlines allow that?

You can also afford a one way ticket or last minute ticket on SW. They are doing some things right.

We also love our little Akron Canton airport here--(wish SW flew out of there) and all the wonderful AirTran flights. Many of our friends and family take their quick little hop to NYC. AirTran also offers lots of non stops in the winter to Florida, where everyone from Akron heads once the winters set in here.

I think we should try to support the airlines that have the most customer friendly policies--although I am swayed with any non stop flight. I will pay more for a non stop flight.

Johnnyman7

I'd pick Frontier over Southwest any day of the week.....

Assigned seats
TV

What choice is there (assuming price is comparable)?

glimmer2

I decided to fly both! We're flying Frontier out and SW home. I'd of prefered to fly Frontier the whole trip but coming home on SW gets us home by 8pm instead of 11pm. Plus it was the cheapest option. Flying SW r/t was the most expensive option.

Andrew

Not everyone loves assigned seats. I like the fact that on SW I can pick where to sit once I get on the plane and even move if I wish (e.g. family with baby sits next to me).

dmlove

In addition to what Andrew said, if you make your reservation "late" on an assigned-seat airline, you're stuck with the leftovers - middle seats on a full flight, or for me, window seats (I hate being on the "inside"). At least on SWA, even if I reserve my flight late, I can still get an "early" boarding number.