Southwest Airlines Community

Please let me clarify. My poor experience on SWA ended the second the cabin door was closed. SWA crew members are courteous, professional, and in many cases hilarious and entertaining. In no way do I hold the employees of Southwest Airlines responsible for other people's audacious behavior. Finding my perfect seat was and is never an issue. I don't care if there are any "seating SNAFU's" and I certainly don't have "my own seat". But Mr. T., that is indeed the attitude that other customers seem to have...they want their bulkhead/exit row. I don't care. Honestly, I prefer to sit ahead of the engines; I like, pardon, LOVE, the takeoff windup. :). But I don't really care. Simply others competitiveness made for an unpleasant boarding process. Their behavior does not in anyway reflect on the SWA staff; it didn't make my experience enjoyable. Air travel has become annoying enough, with long security lines, and a reduction in direct flights . I do not try to blame Southwest for the actions of my fellow passengers. Southwest's employee's are admirable. I simply fail to see the advantages of an open seating plan. Tamara, what I saw in line was a prime, perfect example of the parental anecdote, "Its not what you say, its how you say it". The tone of these passengers was not even remotely considerate. Again, SWA staff is great, just I respectfully suggest that they revisit that policy. Perhaps they could pass out surveys "Do you like this". Also, perhaps it would be very wise for Southwest to add individual televisions on their aircraft. If a certain other low cost competitor continues to expand its market, serving more of Southwests routes, it may become a highly formidable competitor. I'm sure that many readers of this blog are scoffing at the very idea of that even coming close to happening. But, Southwest should consider adding that feature. Yes, it would cost money, but SWA is profitable :). I'm sure I'll be a passenger aboard a SWA 737 again because your vacation week fares/walk up fairs are/were significantly lower than other carriers. Hey, maybe one day I'll end up flying for Southwest....airline pilot is on a short list for potential careers! ... View more

In my haste I forgot to put this in. You should have never put this "battle of the brands" link up. If the author was comparing Southwest and jetBlue and had actually flown jetBlue, then the article would be a valid opinion. As he hasn't he hasn't a right to declare Southwest an immediate winner; even if this is what he would finally conclude. ... View more

I am very disappointed right now. Clearly this is a blog about how great Southwest is but I am about to criticize you right now. I flew Southwest last week for Spring break and was very very disappointed. Let me right off the bat; The crew on Southwest flights are amazing. They are very courteous and funny. Now what absolutely ruined my Southwest experience is the lazzie-faire seating. Boarding was a utter free-for all. People were lined up two hours before the departure time...before the aircraft was even on the ground. I saw many passengers verbally snap at others in line. "You know...I'm ahead of you. Don't get in front of me...". The worst boarding of my four flights on Southwest was in Philly gate D2 (or was it D3). Firstly the terminal seats are somewhat in line with the A B and C corral. ( I'm sure the airline has a softer term for the ABC lines but corrals are what they felt like.) I saw one woman in the "A" line tell an elderly couple that they could not sit down next to her because they had "C" boarding passes. That disgusted me. Now we arrived at the gate about 2 hours before departure time. People were already sitting/standing in the coral. 2 hours?!?! It got even worse. As soon as the gate agent informed the crowd the our aircraft was about ten minutes for touching down everyone, and I do mean everyone, lined up. Cramming them selfs into the coral. I am very very sorry to say yes my mother, bother, and I were part of this mad rush. We didn't want to be separated as we were four years ago on a SW flight. The environment that this boarding process creates is one of stress. I believe that it increases peoples stress level, and competitiveness. Unfortunately, I will absolutely avoid Southwest airlines from this point on. I love flying but my experience with Soutwest boarding made me want to be at home. Upon arrival in Manchester, NH yesterday I was happy to be finished flying for the day. I have never never felt that way; even after flying on Delta (which is bad in every other aspect except their boarding which is perfect.... Southwest you let me and my family down. 😞 . I truly hope that Southwest considers assigned seating; maybe then I'll consider flying you again. Right now I wouldn't consider booking a Southwest flight. Something that keeps occurring on this blog: jetBlue's February mishap. Stop bashing them for that. They made a mistake; they should have canceled the flights. Instead, they tried to get them in the air. This was a tactical error. I doubt that it will ever happen again. ... View more