Southwest Airlines
 

How do you like this airline? Flying from Chicago to Oklahoma City, thanks for your replies.

Old planes. <BR>Relatively messy passenger spaces. <BR>Very cramped. <BR>Uncomfortable seats. <BR>Convenient flight schedules. <BR>Sometimes the cheapest way from A to B. <BR>Nicest staff among the cheap carriers. <BR>No illusions. What they advertise is what you get. <BR>Bottom line: it's the Greyhound of the skies.

Its just okay. Its gets you there cheaply, in some instances ($30.00) one way on special. The flight attendants are very entertaining, but there are no reserved or seat assignments, you're just herded on. No meals and the snacks are pretty scimpy. But they win awards all the time, for what I don't know. You should as least check around the other airlines unless you got one of those $30.00 deals.

Chris&gt; have flown with SW many times and have never had a problem. Sure its one step up from taking the dog,,first come first serve seating, Etc. but they get you there on time I have found. <BR> Just get to the gate about a hour and a half before your flight to get in line for your "boarding" number. They go in groups of 30.

We have flown SW for years. I hate to fly so it makes no difference to me how comfortable, clean, old, new etc. etc. All I care about is safety and they are one of the best in the industry. We've rarely had a flight be late. If you're lucky enough to get the rows where the seats face each other, it's great--esp. with kids. The down side is that you often have to change flights twice.

Chgo to Oklahoma City isn't bad for SW. Heed the advice about the boarding procedure and get there early enough to be in the first two boarding "gaggles", 30 in each. Only food is "snacks" so I always bring food with me. Actually I always bring food with me no matter who I fly but that's another story. This is a basic , no frills , incredibly efficient{on their part} , cheap way to go. Plan accordingly. {On a buisness note , they have one of the most satisified employee situations of major corporations , and it shows in how you are treated by their people at all levels.}

Have used SWA many time, long and short hauls. Never been diasappointed.You do have to be at check in desk AT LEAST hour before departure time--as they hand out boarding pass numbers one hour before scheduled departure. <BR>My main reason for using this airline is their free flight plan...Book 4 flights on their internet site and you get a free flight anywhere they go and it is good for a year and it IS transferable.Also I use a Southwest Visa and for every 1,000 $ I charge I get one flight credit. This helps speed the accumulation of credits. <BR>In last few years I have gone West coast to east coast 5 times using my free ticket. I know it is "no frills"- so I take a sandwich & snack. <BR>You sometimes do have to go round about route <BR>i.e. To Salt Lake City from Sacto via Las Vegas!! Good Luck

I think Southwest is great. Do you know why flying in the US is so cheap? Because of Soutwest. I used to fly from Chicago to Albany rt on United, before southwest serviced albany. The rt fare <BR>was around $300. It's now around $180. <BR>Also if I wait, Southwest will have a $128 special every few months. If Southwest ever went out of business, the airfares in this country would skyrocket

Another awesome thing about Southwest Airlines is that they let you bring more checked baggage than any other airline: 3 pieces plus your 2 carry-ons! I have never had a misdirected or lost bag with them, either. <BR> <BR>Also, they are very rarely late and are quite often early on their flights.

I fly them every chance I get. Sometimes I have to fly somewhere else to get there...(Like flying to PVD for Boston or BWI for DC).....As other posts have said...GET THERE AN HOUR BEFORE.....also try to get in line an hour before as well.....the seasoned SWA flyer is an idiot who will bump and push to get a 1-30. <BR> <BR>The airline is great....but no ffod no frills it just gets you there..CHEAP. <BR> <BR> <BR>Chris is in KY

I love SWA! I bring a sandwich and snacks and appreciate the humor and efficiency and real concern of their employees. You will notice that the flight attendants are encouraged to add to the parting greating and some do quite humorously. They don't pretend to be anything more than they are: a safe, quick, cheap way of getting from one city to another with luggage intact. It's also one of the only airlines to offer one way tickets. They only fly in/out of airports without major delays--just pulled out of SFO for instance. I will fly tomorrow SJC to Las Vegas to Chicago (Midway) on a freebie I earned going up and down to Calfornia coast. No surprises--bring a bottle of water and a sandwich. If you have to connect go immediately to your next gate, get your boarding number and then look for food etc. They only start giving numbers one hour before flight time so getting to the gate any earlier doesn't gain you much.

Have never had a problem with SW. <BR>Good rates! Good Service! but no food and general seating.

You know what you get with SWA. It is cheap, dependable and on time. Also, ONLY U.S. CARRIER NEVER TO HAVE CRASHED. That's enough for me.

Don't you realize if SW went out of business American and United would raise airfares dramatically. Its cheaper to fly now than anytime in US history!

Really, what does it matter? You're only going to be on the airline for a couple of hours at the longest, flying from Chicago to Oklahoma City. <BR>It really shouldn't matter as long as the plane takes off and lands successfully. That's all I ever look for in a flight. It seems senseless to me to worry about things you can't control anyway on such a short flight. <BR>This was not meant to be a slam, but it's really not that important. <BR>Best wishes and don't worry.

As a white-knucke flier, I appreciate the humor of the attendants. <BR> <BR>Our last pre-flight set of instructions was the best: "When the oxygen masks come down, and after you stop screaming hysterically, choose your favorite child a place the mask over his or her face before putting yours on." <BR> <BR>What's your favorite?

SWA is NOT the only US carrier to have a clean crash record (just FYI).

&lt;SWA is NOT the only US carrier to have a clean crash record (just FYI)&gt; <BR> <BR>Please specify.

Considering how short this flight is the idea that you show up super early so you can be in the first group of 30 or so doesn't seem necessary to me. You'll spend more time standing in line to get that "good" seat than you'll actually spend sitting in the seat. So you end up with a middle seat for a couple of hours. Big deal. Relaz , you'll be fine. Don't sweat this small stuff. On a short trip it's all small stuff.

I don't think SW still has a clean crash record. Didn't they have a plane leave the runway a few years ago with at least one injury? It is true that they've never had one of those awful crash and burn things -- yet.