Southwest or Delta? - Page 2

1stvisit0909 · #16 (**permalink**) 07-27-2009, 12:05 AM

As some one who travels by air all over the country for work, I say southwest all they way. The prices can't be beat, the staff is nice, I even think the seats are better. AND free checked bags, 2 per. (plus they have a NS to disney from my city...whohoo!). I've never been split from my party, even with C boarding, because most people are nice enough to move around, and the flight attendants will be most helpful. Our travel agent for work automatically books America ( I think think they get a better fee or something), and I can't stand them. Several bad experiences. All the others have changed flights on me several times.

G00fyDad · #17 (**permalink**) 02-19-2010, 12:38 PM

How's this for luck? I just thought that I would log into Delta.com and see what they are charging for airfare from here to Orlando. WOW. It turns out that their fares have dropped drastically! They were charging about $1100 to $1200 for the four of us and not it is down to $753.20!! Woohoo!

Now we can fly with Delta (even with their baggage fee's) for the exact same amount as Southwest but now we don't have to worry about "jockeying for position" at the gate and maybe still not getting to sit near each other.

Winkster · #18 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 02:50 AM

Wohoo - congrats GD!

I hate the bargain airlines where you have to jostle for position.

The price is great but I often wonder if all the hassle is worth it.

We went to Rome with a bargain airline last year and found ourselves queueing (or rather jostling!) at the boarding gate about 20 minutes early just to try and sit together. It's annoying that you have to become part of the problem in order to avoid being a victim of it!

Enjoy your trip!

ballcaptodd · #19 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G00fyDad

How's this for luck? I just thought that I would log into Delta.com and see what they are charging for airfare from here to Orlando. WOW. It turns out that their fares have dropped drastically! They were charging about $1100 to $1200 for the four of us and not it is down to $753.20!! Woohoo!

Now we can fly with Delta (even with their baggage fee's) for the exact same amount as Southwest but now we don't have to worry about "jockeying for position" at the gate and maybe still not getting to sit near each other.

Perhaps you haven't flown with Southwest for awhile, but you haven't had to "jockey for position" for quite some time now. Once you check in online you you are issued a number that guarantees your position in line. Personally, I would rather fly Southwest than pay Delta a separate fee to carry my luggage. The customer service is much better, too. Southwest's employees are always cheerful, whereas Delta's seem like they can't wait to get you off the plane.

sk8belle · #20 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 09:11 AM

Wow, G00fyDad, that's a significant price drop. Congrats on getting such a great deal.

G00fyDad · #21 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballcaptodd

Perhaps you haven't flown with Southwest for awhile, but you haven't had to "jockey for position" for quite some time now. Once you check in online you you are issued a number that guarantees your position in line.

Actually you're not issued a number for a position in line. You can either pay extra money ($10 per person per one way of the trip) for Earlybird Checkin which guarantees you an "A" boarding pass, or you can just wish for the best and check in 24 hours before you fly. Either way, your boarding pass will say something like A10 or A33 but that doesn't mean you are the 10th or 33rd person in line. They don't call out A1, A2, A3, A4, etc... That just means that when the Flight Attendant (FA) calls "A1 through A30 may now board." all of the "cattle" in that group need to rush the gate. And I know that you have got to have seen the "ME" people who immediately walk up about 30 minutes before boarding and stand about 1 or 2 feet from the queuing area rather nonchalantly waiting for the FA to make the call for boarding. LOL These people may not even have an A boarding pass but they will jump in line anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballcaptodd

Personally, I would rather fly Southwest than pay Delta a separate fee to carry my luggage.

Actually, the cost For Southwest will be about the same as the price I am going to pay delta even with the baggage fees. I just happened to catch Delta during a really good fare drop. The Delta rep even told me that I'm lucky I booked when I did because the rates are probably going to go up again soon. Even after checking today they have gone up a little.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballcaptodd

The customer service is much better, too. Southwest's employees are always cheerful, whereas Delta's seem like they can't wait to get you off the plane.

I've rarely had a Delta FA get annoyed with me or act as if they could not wait for me to leave the plane. And the one time I can even remember, it seemed as if she were just having a bad day. We've all had those. And honestly, all of the FA's I've ever dealt with on all of the airlines I've been on have always been about the same. Southwest was never any better or worse for me in that regard.

One thing I don't get though. We are flying from Louisville, KY to Orlando, FL and we have a layover. Now as annoying as it is to have a layover for a 2.5 hour flight, why do they have to make the layover in Memphis, TN 20 minutes after we take off from Louisville?? Just keep the plane in the air! It probably takes more fuel to land and take off again. LOL

egirl98 · #22 (**permalink**) 04-25-2010, 08:25 PM

SOUTH WEST! When I flew i learned most planes has personal tvs for each guest that features music, games, movies, and TV. You can also add extra leg room for just $10!!!

funnykoozies · #23 (**permalink**) 05-25-2010, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G00fyDad

Each trip we have taken to Disney we have used Delta. This has mostly to do with my ignorance in thinking that "One airline is as good as any".

I have been leaning towards Southwest for our next trip though.

My question is this... What do you think of Southwest and do you think it is better than Delta?

So far Delta has irritated us by changing the flights and flight times around constantly. (12 times this past trip!) On our last trip we originally had 2 non-stop flights set up for the round trip. The flight to Orlando was set for 6:30am and arriving at 9:00am. Perfect times! By the time we actually left it was set for a 10:00am flight and arriving at 1:30pm with a 57 minute layover in Atlanta, GA.

AND Delta has been charging for ALL checked bags. Southwest only charges for the 3rd or more checked bags.

So was Southwest a better deal for you?

So impressive sharing! What I need is in your post ! Thanks a lot !
__________________

egirl98 · #24 (**permalink**) 09-12-2010, 07:38 PM

I like both, but I personally prefer Southwest. I loved the TV and games Southwest provided and the food we got on our longer trips was MUCH better on southwest's planes.

But as long as your going to Walt Disney World, I'm sure you'll be happy no matter which company you fly with!

mperry · #25 (**permalink**) 12-30-2010, 02:54 PM

SWA for me the Red Belly all the way from JAN to MCO can't wait

Friendofpluto · #26 (**permalink**) 12-30-2010, 03:16 PM

We flew SW for our last 2 flights. Customer service and price is great! Plus our flight times were not changed around as they often are w/ United. Not paying for baggage is a plus. We use their credit card and pay off each month. We have 3 free flights accrued so far this year. On our last flight SW actually got us home early

mperry · #27 (**permalink**) 12-30-2010, 05:42 PM

SWA Rocks can't wait to see what they do with Airtran, I hope it only makes them better.

backtalk · #28 (**permalink**) 12-31-2010, 05:44 PM

We have "free" standby employee passes on Delta and we ALWAYS fly Southwest. Free bags and direct flights. From our area (New Orleans) we are able to get tickets for less than $100 on Southwest. We would never trust standby when it comes to a Disney trip. One thing I do not like about SWA and WDW is that you do not have the leave your baggage at the resort and pick it up when you land at home option with SWA. We had to take our bags in and stand in line at the ticket counter. When we flew AirTran(NEVER AGAIN - DESTROYED SEVERAL PIECES OF LUGGAGE - gave us 2 free round trips - DESTROYED new luggage on that trip) and Continental, we were given our passes at the resort and did not have to deal with lines or luggage. That was nice. Ever since, each trip they tell us that SWA and WDW are "working out those details" - Will be nice when they do.

Jacobsdada · #29 (**permalink**) 01-10-2011, 02:22 PM

Just a tip on flying Southwest! I was faced with the stand in line to check bags on the return flight in but found a very interesting solution. I went to the curb porter at the airport and hand him check the bags and print boarding passes, only took minutes and was well worth the $25 tip!(We had a party of six with 10 bags!) Especially since I saved so much by flying Southwest! Just an idea to toss out there!