I haven’t traveled on Southwest Airlines in years. I have completely ignore them, don’t even consider them for travel. However, as I am trying to watch my budget like everyone else, when it came time to book my flight for SobCon, I checked them out.
I knew they were famous for multi-city tickets, so I made sure I had a direct flight, instead of flying out of the San Francisco airport I flew out of Oakland and I flew into Midway which was closer than O’Hare for the conference, that worked out really well. I also knew that I had to make sure I checked in online at 24-hours to the dot or I wasn’t going to get the window seat I prefer.
On my way there, I got into group A (yeah) and was thrilled. I did not pay attention to the 26 that was after the A. After I checked in which was really painless, I proceeded to the gate. Then I saw the markers (for lack of a better word). Each one with a range of five numbers going from 1-30 on one side and 31-60 on the other. Pretty cool. So you no longer have the mass fight of 60 A’s (and some pushy B’s) trying to board at the same time. People line up in front of the correct marker, by number and like orderly school children, board in peace. What a difference it makes!
And once on board, it was no longer peanuts, but crackers or cookies with your drink. The flight attendants (at least this particular crew) were friendly and it was a very pleasant flight.
Bottom line, I will definitely give Southwest Airlines another chance.
(P.S. Virgin America, you still have my heart!)
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I, too, flew Southwest for the first time in years this last weekend RT Oakland to San Diego. Both flights were great with wonderful flight attendants. Nothing but praise.They are the King of efficiency.
We’re so glad to have you back, Andi! While we still have the same friendly service, low fares, and high frequency of flights, we have been hard at work making enhancements to our product. You’ve already experienced the new boarding process and gate enhancements, and there are many more enhancements to come. We’ve installed “fly by” security lanes at several airports and onboard wi-fi on four aircraft (woohoo!), and we plan to roll those products through our system and fleet.
And, at the risk of sounding too much like a commercial, since you mentioned how important securing a position in the “A Group” is to you, you might try purchasing a “Business Select” ticket the next time you book. With Business Select, you are guaranteed to be on of the first 15 Customers to board the aircraft, you receive a free adult beverage or Monster energy drink (other beverages are still free), you earn extra Rapid Rewards credit, and you gain access to the Fly By Priority screening lanes that I mentioned.
Okay…sorry for the hard sell, but we don’t want to risk losing you again! (You too, Rebecca!)
Paula Berg
Southwest Airlines
But was there any absinthe aboard?
Southwest will be in Boston in the fall and Virgin just entered Boston (I have never flown with them)- so I am pretty excited about that.
We’re super excited about Boston too, Susan. And standby for New York Laguardia too.
One more thing to add…based on the original post, it might sounds to some as thought we don’t offer nonstop service between San Francisco and Chicago Midway.
Actually, we have the same number of nonstop flights between San Francisco and Chicago as we do between Oakland and Chicago – three nonstops a piece – plus one nonstop between San Jose and Chicago for good measure! In fact, we’re the only airline that flies to Chicago from all three Bay area airports.
Our Schedule Planners would be mad at me if I didn’t mention it
Paula Berg
Southwest Airlines