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Why does SWA in operations, advertising etc pretend it's still a discount airline?

Jerkstore
Explorer C

It isn't, hasn't been for many years, and the "so-crazy-it-just-might-work upstart" act is as pathetic as the solo 65-year old Just for Men customer at a bar teeming with millennials. Do they think this act obscures the absurdity of a $750 BWI-ATL RT from their customers?

5 REPLIES 5

Re: Why does SWA in operations, advertising etc pretend it's still a discount airline?

Passenger1C
Aviator C

@Jerkstore when are you looking to travel?  All airlines have factors that makes the prices of airfare rise. 


SWA Passenger, Community Champion

Re: Why does SWA in operations, advertising etc pretend it's still a discount airline?

dfwskier
Aviator A

@Jerkstore wrote:

It isn't, hasn't been for many years, and the "so-crazy-it-just-might-work upstart" act is as pathetic as the solo 65-year old Just for Men customer at a bar teeming with millennials. Do they think this act obscures the absurdity of a $750 BWI-ATL RT from their customers?


Sorry to hear that you don't like the advertising. That being said, Southwest hasn't adertisied itself as the"" low pricd spread" in a very long time.  When it has fare sales , it advertises them. Sometimes it's cheaper than the competition. Sometimes it is not. Just like about every other airline.

 

Regarding that $750 BWI/ATL roundtrip, Southwest does what most airlies do:  it charges more for tickets bought for a close in departure date.  It does seem that on some  .routes Southwest does charge far more than the competition - in this case $750 vs Delta at the low $400s If you had looked in September, you would have found Southwest RTs  for less than $200.

Re: Why does SWA in operations, advertising etc pretend it's still a discount airline?

Jerkstore
Explorer C

I sell jet engines; I know how an airline works.

 

From SWA website: "Our Purpose: To connect People to what's important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel."

 

Keep your fandom going, I guess.

Re: Why does SWA in operations, advertising etc pretend it's still a discount airline?

TheMiddleSeat
Aviator A

@Jerkstore

@Passenger1C asked for more specifics about when you were looking to fly and @dfwskier mentioned some factors that affect prices and provided some cheaper alternatives. Without more information from you I'm not sure what you're looking for. No, Southwest is not going to sell a last minute fare on a 99% sold out flight for $49 when someone might pay $750, but with a little planning you can get $49 fares (or cheaper) to destinations other non-low cost carriers charge much more for.

 

No, Southwest is not always the cheapest option. Is that what you wanted to hear?

 

--TheMiddleSeat

 

Re: Why does SWA in operations, advertising etc pretend it's still a discount airline?

chgoflyer
Aviator A

Southwest operates much more like a legacy carrier these days than an LCC. The Ultra Low Cost Carriers (ULCCs) have basically taken over the role Southwest previously filled. Southwest's marketing has been shifting very slowly, from a focus on low-fares to offering "best overall value." Brand identity dies hard.