Southwest Airlines

Very disappointed! Flight prices dropped significantly in two weeks. Although they issued a credit, they’re only giving me until July to use it because of another credit that was used at the time of purchase. Credits are also non-​transferable. Be careful, this fine print will most likely cost me $ 122! Spoken to 4+ people and no one will make an exception. I’m not asking for a refund, just a year to use the credit! They say it’s not possible, but I highly doubt I’m the first person this has happened to!

love this air line and it’s so cheap too ! I always am change my flights around with no problem even if it’s last minute 2 bags and a carry on and a bag or purse are always free there bomb !! only travel south west !

What is there to say about Southwest Airlines that hasn’t already been said before? Everything about them is awesome and the savings are amazing. Customer service is amazing no matter where you go. The process of using Southwest Airlines is so easy whether you are cancelling a flight or checking in. I am always excited to fly with them.

Flew from McCarran in Las Vegas to San Jose today. I was booked on a mid-​afternoon flight, but was able to switch to an earlier time. I paid extra for the Business Select upgrade and found it to be worth the price. Just a few bucks more. (The «cattle car» boarding is just about the only problem with flying Southwest!)
The staff was helpful and friendly throughout and the flight was a pleasant one… as usual.
The free luggage is a real plus as most carriers are finding more and more ways to gouge their customers who represent their livlihood.
At San Jose International, the bags were delivered promptly and all of us were on our collective ways.
Great way to fly.

Love the fact that you can cancel your air travel with SWA without penalty. You can use the credit for another travel date and destination. The only problem is that when you don’t use the credit within a year, you lose the amount but could call for a 6 month extension minus 100.00 dollars. Love the airline for domestic travel.

Buying Early Bird can be a good & bad (Early Bird allows SWA to check you in early automatically). The groups are A, B, C etc with up to 60 people boarding in each group. I did get B30 one time and was not happy. Wasn’t worth the purchase because that meant almost 100 people before me bought Early Bird passes. Then, of course, they say there may be a glitch in their system and they can’t do anything about it. Thus… it might not be great to get Early Bird at times.
Overall. SWA is my favorite airlines due to ‘on time’ consistency and rate to which their flights go out. That’s important.
They have great customer service over the phone and in general.

Always a pleasure flying Southwest Airlines. On-​time flights and friendly crews truly make Southwest the best option!

On January 3, 2015 I was taking my 12-​year-​old daughter through McCarran Airport to her gate to fly her back to her mother. At or about 2:22 pm, I approached the ticketing counter with my wife, 7-​year-​old son, and my daughter. Southwest employee Heather T (employee number 98 585) told me that only ONE person could accompany my daughter to the gate. I explained to Heather that we ALL escort her to the gate 4 times a year (for the last 7 years). I also explained that I called ahead to make sure we could still escort her since she is no longer an Unaccompanied Minor, per airline definition and was told nothing would change until she is 18. When I complained, Heather told me that the TSA had implemented the restriction and she didn’t know what to tell me.
Fuming, I immediately located a TSA supervisor upstairs to complain about the policy. The TSA supervisor looked confused and quickly assured me that there was no such policy in place. The TSA supervisor added that the airline may make rules that they find appropriate for their passengers.
Now knowing that Heather T lied to me, I quickly returned to the Southwest ticketing area to seek an airline supervisor. I was soon introduced to Mr Sean Roberts (employee number 36 061). Mr Roberts looked puzzled when I told him about Heather’s new policy and that alone confirmed to me that she was lying.
At the same time, my wife was at the ticketing counter talking to a different agent to get Heather’s name when she heard Heather say, «don’t help her, she’s trying to get a gate pass and I made up a story because we don’t need all these people at the gate». Heather also quickly tucked her name badge into her scarf to hide it.
As soon as my wife heard this, she met up with me and Mr Roberts, reporting what she overheard. Mr Roberts was VERY helpful and is the only reason I’m not giving a one-​star instead of two. He quickly prepared gate passes for my wife and son and got us all the information that we were requesting (Heather’s name and ID #).
After that ordeal, we were deciding if we ever want to fly my daughter again since it’s only an 8-​hour drive anyway. We were getting over the ordeal and decided to just write a complaint to corporate… until we got to the gate.
When we got to the gate, and waited in line a long time so that she could board early, we realized that Heather T got the last laugh by issuing my daughter a gate pass instead of a Boarding Pass!!! That was it… we were pissed now. So we went to the counter at the gate to get a boarding pass. The clock was ticking away and we stood there for nearly 5 minutes, with no one in front of us, while some girl yacked on the phone about God knows what (I didn’t get her name but she was working the counter adjacent to gate C21 at approximately 4:30pm and had a Miley Cyrus haircut). The girl then lied for Heather saying that the last 15 people don’t get boarding passes since the flight is full. We knew we weren’t part of that group because we arrived 3 hours before the flight and got to the gate WAY before everyone else.
Long story short, corporate needs to address these employees very sternly. Miley Cyrus needs to adjust her attitude and not argue with customers that are panicking (and get a haircut that doesn’t make it impossible to take her seriously). Customer «service», not customer «chastise» or customer «irritation».
Heather needs to be placed in a position where she does not deal directly with customers. Unless Southwest stands for pissed off customers, that is. She needs to understand that she is not an administrator. Administrators know how to find the delicate balance between a happy company and a happy customer… she does NOT. Lying to the customer provides nothing positive for either party.
In the end, we are unsure if we’ll ever fly again. I’d like to because of the time savings versus driving but I think we’ll be sitting it out for a while. Southwest has always treated us well, with the exception of some grumpy gate attendants, so we are truly disappointed. This may be an isolated incident but we are forever scarred with the thought of «what’s gonna happen this time?» We just don’t feel secure and fully comfortable any longer. It’s kind of like having a loving dog for 7 years and then it suddenly bites the heck out of your arm. Can you ever trust him again???

How in the heck does Southwest Airline only have 3.5 stars on Unilocal?Makes no sense! Of all the airlines, they are definitely number one in my book for traveling in the U.S. The staff is so polite, they don’t over-​use the intercom for announcements, they are sometimes funny, sometimes talented enough to serenade you with a song, and badass enough to know how to properly LAND a plane!!! I’m not kidding when I say they are my first choice. Everything from booking my ticket to getting my seat, etc — the process is easy, smooth, stress free. Southwest Airline… Well done valuing your employees. It shows in the eye of the consumer. Your people are everything.
#iluvswa
Sincerely,
Britt

SW has several things other airlines don’t.
The attitude toward customer service seems to be the very best in the industry. They do such a good job of getting you out on time and in on time.
I laugh every time someone complains about the boarding procedure. If a plane is full someone has to fly in a middle seat and guess what those who book late are the ones in a middle seat no matter who’s airline you are flying. The boarding is so much better then the zone system some have switched to and makes no since to me at all.
Most planes now have wifi so either work can be done or it can be time for play and relaxing.
More restaurants will be open in the SW terminals and that will be good. A couple of gates in the old circle format could really be improved on.
Overall SW give you everything you pay for a little more.

Loved that they have pretty good package deals to Vegas. Hate the no seat assignments and people are so rude, knowing that if the flight is a pack one, sit together and don’t hog all the seats! I know no one likes to sit in the middle but can you be a little more reasonable? As of checking in early, to get a better seating option, a total waste of time and BS. I literally checked in like 2min after the 24 hours check in flight and I’m at B31 and B32. Oh, but there is an option of paying for get boarding number of A1-​A15. Total BS, thank god I don’t travel much and if I do, it’s a short flight to Vegas or LA. Airline is iffy but since I’m being cheap, I guess I will have to deal with it.

Southwest is a budget travel with traveler friendly policies. The planes show their age and lack of amenities (why offer free wifi if you are not also going to offer charging ports like most other carriers now do). The boarding process is no fun– you stand in your boarding group — up to 60 people– in a very small and tight place in you are in the 30 – 60 range (Gate C7) in a line that a does not move. Their mobile reader to scan boarding passes on the phone is poor quality and the staff gets mad when the machine will not work. This is not the problem of the traveler, this is the problem of SWA who owns the equipment. It is an iPhone being used– if there technology does not work they need to just say the service is not available. The price and option to cancel flights and keep flight credits though is what keeps this 3 stars.

Let’s make this simple. Anyone who gives Southwest less than 4 stars never flies. They were delayed? It happens. You missed your flight because of a delay? Get over it. It happens. It’s not the agent’s job to accommodate YOU and forsake everyone else. You don’t like not having an assigned seat? You knew that when you booked it, so you have no right to complain. Ditto for check-​in procedure.
I’m a Million Miler on American. Now THOSE GUYS suck. They treat customers like we owe them! I’m a fourth of the way there on United. If they could figure a way to engineer the seat any closer, they would. Year after year, I’m either A-​List or A-​List Preferred on Southwest. Honestly. What’s not to like? The friendliest staff of any airline in the US. If you’re nice to them, they treat you like a million bucks.

Thankful I used them 2 weeks ago and not this past weekend. Here is my synopsis of my most recent usage of SFO to SD and SD to LAS.
The not so good:
1) Check in with bags is a bit painful. The lines were relatively slow and they do check baggage weights and will make you take things out of your luggage even if you are over 1 – 2 pounds.
2) The number assignments to board are random. I checked in with my wife online and at the gate at the same time yet were given completely different numbers /​letters.
The good:
1) Flights were on-​time
2) Baggage arrived promptly
3) Free entertainment using ipad

As I sat in the terminal and waited for my flights, I kept trying to understand the process. Who came up with this grand idea to make people waiting line with a number, 1 – 60, and pick any seat they want. Personally, I think it’s crap. Ticket prices change all the time so for someone to potentially pay a lot less than I did for my flight. and get a front window seat… yeah… I have a problem with that. Then I saw what can happen when a group of friends travel together: because of the way they arrange seating a group if three friends had to separate and sit in different sections. The only way to guarantee that they could sit together is to upgrade to business select. I just don’t see how that’s fair. Especially since I can get better service and accommodations for the same if not better at another airline.
My biggest pet peeve was the lack of outlets. It’s 2015 and I took a 4.5 hour flight with a company that offered free wi-​fi but no outlets?! Really?!? Fail southwest. You get 2 stars for the pure fact that there was free wi-​fi. You lost the other three for your rude flight attendants, lack of outlets, and crappy seating arrangements. I’ll stick to Jet Blue.

I absolutely love Southwest and fly them almost exclusively with the rare exception that another carrier had a better deal or more convenient times/​dates for my trip. With 2 bags free and 2 carry ons free you can’t go wrong.
Here’s a tip for those that don’t know … if you check in online 24 hours before your flight you’ll get a good boarding position. I checked in yesterday for my flight today and got A60 for my first leg of the flight and A31 for the 2^nd. A1−30 are reserved for the business select group which costs a little more but guarantees you a good boarding position.

It takes almost everything I have to travel Southwest anymore this former discount carrier needs to rethink their boarding protocol, fortunately I almost always get the «A Zone» boarding pass and the few times I haven’t I’ve spent the $ 40 to upgrade to get the A 1 – 15 boarding passes, however that still doesn’t get you much the planes are almost always completely filled and as the seat backs get thinner the more seats they squeeze in so the leg room is ridiculous unless you score a bulk head or exit row and unless you have a blue boarding card forget about it. It’s even becoming difficult for the usually cherrie flight attendants to force a smile on most flights but flying out of this terminal could depress anyone…

Gotta «LUV» Southwest Airlines.
Clean, modern planes. Friendly, funny employees. No baggage fees! Reasonable points (frequent flier) system. Comprehensive routes (especially on the West coast).
Whenever Southwest flies where I’m going, it’s the only option for me. Favorite American airline.
5 stars!

Update: Daylight Saturday during the day, Omnia that night (may or may not do that). Sunday EBC and XS at night.
I have a physical disability which negated a wheelchair. It took more than 45 minutes to get the chair to my check-​in station (no checked bags, just carry-​on), which made me late for my flight (which told me to go to C3 when the flight had been changed to C25).
I just bought a whole new ticket for the next flight (after they told me it was 100% full). I am appalled at the way they treat Veterans in Las Vegas. I cried three times just trying to get checked in for a new flight that I re-​paid to book. Naomi at the front desk downstairs was extremely rude and unaffectionate while Susan at the check-​in desk seemed very unalarmed and uncaring. She just kept commenting about how I was late (the hospital I work for have me minimal notice but I still would’ve been on time had I been directed to the correct gate.)
Thanks Southwest, for nothing!

Es war ein sehr entspannter Flug von Las Vegas nach El Paso. Das Personal freundlich und hilfsbereit.

Flight delayed a bit to help incoming passengers from other delayed flights (due to weather) make their connection, but not bad. Long flight meant the flight attendants were busy keeping folks happy and occupied with drinks/​snacks/​conversation. Long flights also mean crying babies and rambunctious children. Again, the flight attendants handled them well — sympathizing with the kids/​babies and keeping them calm.
Inexpensive, and of course — bags fly free!

I really enjoy traveling Southwest, especially because from LAS to SMF has got to be one of the EASIEST flights ever!!! It only takes about an hour to get there and I have flown this route 6 times now.
The staff has always been pleasant and so have other passengers around me, helping me with my carry on in the overhead bin. So far, I have never had any problems or seen anything wrong/​bad in flight! I appreciate the complimentary peanuts, pretzels, small drinks. I feel comfortable too, seating is okay and I prefer to get the window seat, which always seems I am lucky enough to get it because Southwest lets you pick your own seats as you are boarding the plane!
It’s very cool how now you can use your cell phone for boarding pass if you have the Southwest app! I buy all my tickets online and print out at home, and check in online prior 24 hours exactly as well. I love our new technology and it makes life easier! Boarding and getting in line went great, first time was a little confusing how they call each section, but now I got the hang of it.
My favorite thing about flying is after landing, when we deboard the plane, I really like seeing the Pilots at the end near the doorway or the Flight Attendants. I respect them so much and always thankful we made it safely :)
oh, and on a side note! On my flight back to Sacramento, I actually had Window seat Row 12, which is the emergency exit! TONS OF LEG room, as there is a space directly in front/​no seat! Perfect for any tall dudes out there, so this would benefit you greatly.