Southwest Airlines

Here's the deal with Southwest. Yes, they pack people in (although which airline is usually empty to begin with) and they almost always never have a direct flight, but I find the pros to outweigh the cons.

First off, I fly a lot. It happens when you have a boo who's long distance and even after he moves across the states we're still traveling together. What can I say-I've met a guy and we go places. So, due to all these traveling adventures, of course some drama (ahem, outside of us) comes up. Life happens. People pass away, new opportunities spring up, last minute plans are thrown at you, friends' schedules conflict, etc. Southwest is the best because out of the other popular airlines I frequently fly on due to prices/schedules/locations/popularity, it lets you change AND cancel your flight, WHENEVER. Let me tell you how important this is-things happen ALL the time, and you're stressing to book early to get a cheaper price. So sometimes you NEED to edit a flight. Other airlines charge $50-100 to do so, and I've sadly lost some money due to having to make such changes.

Another pro-Southwest lets you check in 2 huge bags (this in addition to a carry-on and a backpack/huge purse that's like a carry-on). When helping my boo move across the states, you need those 2 free bags. Other airlines charge $50+, even along a one hour flight, which is ridiculous.

Next pro-it's easier to get free flights from here. Other airlines are on a point system while SW keeps it simple-16 flights and you get 2 back, no matter how far they are. So you can make 16 one hour quick/cheap flights and get two flights somewhere far away. Now, if the prices are the same amongst different airlines, I choose SW since I know I'll be able to get those tickets quicker that way.

Lastly, the service is great but I'm giving this overall review 4 stars because the service is similar to Jetblue and Virgin America. You have amazing service and satisfactory times on different flights. It's all on who's up in the air with you, too. Oh, and minus one star because of usually having one stop when flying to a far destination.

One time I talked to a SW worker on the phone, and he summed it up pretty well-that they don't nickel and dime us. True that. Oh, and I really enjoyed it when they tossed peanuts down the aisle while we were taking off. You need some humor when flying. When they start bumping up some music and tossing out some appetizers, it'll be that much more amazing...

Imagine if you will, it's your first trip to Hawaii, and you've got to connect in Oakland on your way. This was my wife and I's scenario last week. We get off our plane in Oakland and we begin to review the gate location of our connecting flight and discover that a flight to Honolulu is scheduled to depart in less than an hour. Our current itinerary was for us to be at the Oakland Airport for 4.5 hours....

So, I approach the Southwest representatives at the gate (Sherrain and Richard) and ask if there is a way that my wife and I might be able to get onto the flight leaving sooner. Honest to God, the answer was a surprise to us. We were able to get onto the flight. These two Southwest employees went above and beyond to make sure that everything went well.

This required them to do a number of things. First, verify that seats were available, cancel our seats on the later flight, book us onto the earlier flight, and then follow a process to attempt to get our luggage on the earlier flight. They emailed the luggage department, and they also phoned the people who are in charge of the luggage department (and I'd include their name here as well if I only knew it) and low and behold, our luggage arrived on the same flight that we did. I had been making plans to return to the airport to get our luggage, as I really did not expect that it would be doable to have a Southwest luggage person track down our three pieces of luggage from a cart (I'm assuming) that was set aside for the flight 4.5 hours away and get it onto the plane leaving in less than an hour....

So, our first trip to Hawaii was getting off to a great start due to the effort and energy of several of the personnel at the Oakland Airport. Thanks so much... It's kind, courteous, and helpful people that really demonstrate the quality customer service that companies can really be proud of, and we got to spend an extra 4.5 hours in Hawaii on our very first visit there.

This really helped my wife and I understand that good customer service is alive and well.

I have been flying SWA for thirty years. My wife and I just completed a 6-segment trip. Flights on time, boarding fine, etc.

For the first time, we encountered some really angry/bitter flight attendants on these flights. Rude and in one case absolutely inappropriate. Pretending that there are "safety issues" and screaming at passengers as they quietly sit in their seats or get bags from overhead.

I have never encountered this before, not in 30 years. It's as though they're unhappy in their jobs and lashing out at customers as a perq of the role.

Sad. Southwest ALWAYS had the best flight attendants in the industry. Always.

I enjoy using Southwest Airlines for my travel needs. The airline has a simple no fuss reservation and check-in system.

Security was a disaster but southwest flight attendants were friendly per usual. We have an empty middle seat! Seats do feel upgraded since my last Southwest flight. I also had a super easy seatbelt extender request. Fingers crossed the flight is smooth. Sweet home Chicago here we come!

Terrible customer service. Staff at the gate were so rude. 20 minutes prior to boarding, gate agents encouraged passengers to grab food or any other items at the airport. I got a hot takeout meal to eat on the plane, since Southwest does not serve meals. It was also a 5 hour flight during dinner time. Gate agent tells me I must stash my hot food into my carry on luggage to consolidate my luggage.

Why would you encourage passengers to buy food and items at the airport and then ice them out when they don't stash it in their bag? I showed the gate agent my hot food, but I was still forced to put it away in my luggage. That makes zero sense. Hot food in my luggage will damage my personal belongings. I've never experienced an airline that forces passengers to stow their meals prior to boarding.

Rate as 3.5

7/2/23 From Oakland to Burbank, Ca, good flight! Captain is on point, flight attendants are cool as cucumbers & funny, attentive.

Just a little bit of turbulence but The Captain handled it like a pro. Flying coach is fair. If you check in early (on time, like as soon as it's exactly on the dot!!) enough, first come first served, you have the pick of your seat. I prefer assigned seating but I like flying with friends (and for some reason, Southwest is the option selected) more.

It would be beneficial for people on the go to have options to charge their devices, not on this airplane. Thankfully it's just an hour & half flight.

I should've taken advantage of this beverage menu...esp. the complimentary drinks...maybe next time

Over 400 flights and they don't have a legacy A-list.
If you're an A-lister for more than 20 or 30 years, you should be an A lister forever.

Had a "Totally Full" flight. The last person to board was very heavy. I'm not judging or dehumanizing this person, I have family members who are also very heavy and I have compassion for this person.

I rode, the whole way, having to touch this person's knee, upper leg, hip, lower back the entire ride.

I feel like SW needed to "sell" one less ticket and give this person two seats or charge this person for two seats. I know I was charged for one seat and received a 1/2 seat as did the third person in my row.

I let the gate personnel know of the issue when I arrived in Oakland. They said a SW rep would call or email me "in one day," but never heard back.

I feel lied to.

There's a lot of news about unruly people on various flights in the USA. The blame falls on the "unruly" but they never cover a story talking about what people are put through during security, boarding, communication about flight delays, baggage problems, parking and ground transportation.

Most of the decisions that lend itself to unruly people are made by upper execs who do not work directly with unruly people, but make the most money.

Delta and Southwest are both disappointing when it comes to providing stressful situations to their clients and I believe they also have the most "unruly" passengers. I think there's a correlation there...

Robert, Gate 29/30...

You the man! Great customer service!
Super friendly, helpful, funny.
Thank you!

At approximately 6:30a.m on Sunday November 5th, I encountered one of the rudest women ever for no reason. So upon checking in I arrive at our gate. They have a sign on the desk stating upgrade to A1-A15 so when I walk up to the desk the lady does not acknowledge me, clearly I'm standing right infront of her she doesn't greet or say anything just typing away. So I respect that I just stood there until she was ready to answer the questions I had. All I wanted to know is how full the flight was in case I wanted to upgrade our seats. She says "it's not a full flight, I said ok is it 50 to 75% full her response "it's not a full flight" with major attitude. Then she comes at me saying I don't need to speak to her like that lmao I responded I'm just talking to you how your talking to me.

I then ask how much is it to upgrade, again her response "idk between 35 to 75 dollars." These people are suppose to be at the desk to help people when they have questions or concerns. If you hate your job that much find a new one. There was no reason for her to be rude to me. Well I guess upgrading is out the question promote it but have a woman work in the front who isn't helpful to upgrade people who would like to. One thing I'm not going to do is let some miserable old lady ruin my morning lol. Terrible customer service.