Southwest Airlines?

I'll be needing to arrange travel from the Albany NY airport to Ft
Lauderdale for my family of 4 (all adults) for our cruise in May.
Southwest Airlines happens to be the only direct, non-stop flight
between those 2 airports so naturally I'm considering them.
I've never flown on Southwest before. I recall that some people feel
they deserve a poor reputation. Do I also recall that they don't assign
seats in advance? If that's true, would there be kind of a free for all
with us trying to get on quick to grab some seats together?

On the plus side, Southwest proudly points out that they have no hidden
fees. http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/pod_chart.html
We would have to factor in the charge for any checked bags that other
airlines charge. For an 8 day cruise, there's no getting around each of
us checking a bag.

I saw an ad on TV from some major (I think) airline saying they were no
longer charging for the 1st checked bag. I can't remember which airline.
Anybody know?

Steve

If it helps, and just for reference, here is a booking engine for the
airlines.

http://www.farebuzz.com/Affiliates/D...516&FpSub=K149

John







"Steve" wrote in message
...
I'll be needing to arrange travel from the Albany NY airport to Ft
Lauderdale for my family of 4 (all adults) for our cruise in May.
Southwest Airlines happens to be the only direct, non-stop flight between
those 2 airports so naturally I'm considering them.
I've never flown on Southwest before. I recall that some people feel they
deserve a poor reputation. Do I also recall that they don't assign seats
in advance? If that's true, would there be kind of a free for all with us
trying to get on quick to grab some seats together?

On the plus side, Southwest proudly points out that they have no hidden
fees. http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/pod_chart.html
We would have to factor in the charge for any checked bags that other
airlines charge. For an 8 day cruise, there's no getting around each of us
checking a bag.

I saw an ad on TV from some major (I think) airline saying they were no
longer charging for the 1st checked bag. I can't remember which airline.
Anybody know?

Steve

"Steve" wrote

Do I also recall that they don't assign seats in advance? If that's true,
would there be kind of a free for all with us trying to get on quick to
grab some seats together?


Hi Steve,

I've flown Southwest several times, and I really have never had a problem
with them.

You're issued a boarding group and number in your group.. the group and
number are assigned by when you checked in.

For a family of 4, as long as you use the online check in the evening before
your flight, you should all be in group A. Either way, you'll have your
assigned numbers together. The lower your boarding group (A,B, C etc) and
the lower your assigned number, will determine when you get onto the plane.
It's really well organized now compared to last year.

As long as you're in the first 20 or so in group B, you shouldn't have a
problem getting seats together.

If you wait to check in until you get to the airport, it's a crap shoot.

LES!

In article , Steve
wrote:

I've never flown on Southwest before. I recall that some people feel
they deserve a poor reputation. Do I also recall that they don't assign
seats in advance? If that's true, would there be kind of a free for all
with us trying to get on quick to grab some seats together?

Southwest probably has the best or one of the reputations of all the
domestic airlines. Which I think they deserve.

It is true they don't assign seats. Some love that and some hate that.
They board by group so it is not a free for all. You can check in
online 24 hours in advance and get in group A. You can do that on
return at the ship internet cafe. You don't have to print out your
boarding pass. You can print that out at the kiosks in the airport when
you get there.

Southwest does not charge the baggage fee for the first checked bag. It
does not charge for a second checked bag either!

--
Charles

"John Sisker" wrote in message
m...
If it helps, and just for reference, here is a booking engine for the
airlines.

http://www.farebuzz.com/Affiliates/D...516&FpSub=K149

John


Why did you bother to post this site? One can't use it to book Southwest
flights!!

"John Sisker" wrote in message
m...
If it helps, and just for reference, here is a booking engine for the
airlines.

http://www.farebuzz.com/Affiliates/D...516&FpSub=K149

John


As long as you know about it ahead of time, note from their website:
"Fare Buzz is an air consolidator"

Hi, Steve,

To add a third plus to the list LES! and Charles started:

1-Advance boarding group assignments help herd the crowd;
2-No baggage fees...none! and
3-No change fee (higher fare may apply).

Cruisers on a strict schedule hopefully won't need #3, but stuff
happens. It is great to have the flexibility to change your flight
plans without incurring that $100+ fee.

We Texans grew up on Southwest and LUV it. They fly clean planes, have
great on-time records and their flight crews are usually a happy,
sometimes silly bunch.

Have a fabulous cruise with your family!

Diana Ball
Austin, TX

Steve wrote:
I'll be needing to arrange travel from the Albany NY airport to Ft
Lauderdale for my family of 4 (all adults) for our cruise in May.
Southwest Airlines happens to be the only direct, non-stop flight
between those 2 airports so naturally I'm considering them.
I've never flown on Southwest before. I recall that some people feel
they deserve a poor reputation. Do I also recall that they don't assign
seats in advance? If that's true, would there be kind of a free for all
with us trying to get on quick to grab some seats together?

On the plus side, Southwest proudly points out that they have no hidden
fees. http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/pod_chart.html
We would have to factor in the charge for any checked bags that other
airlines charge. For an 8 day cruise, there's no getting around each of
us checking a bag.

Southwest is a great airline to fly on, no fees, great crew and
comfortable seating.

The trick to having a good choice of seats is to checkin online exactly
24 hours ahead of time. A couple of times flying home we checked
inonline 22 or 23 hours ahead and it wasn't too bad finding seating.
Still if possible I would be online exactly 24 hours ahead if possible.

We have seen a couple of times that if there is a flight delay, they are
very good about getting you and your bags switched to an earlier flight
if available.

sue

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I'll be needing to arrange travel from the Albany NY airport to Ft
Lauderdale for my family of 4 (all adults) for our cruise in May.
Southwest Airlines happens to be the only direct, non-stop flight between
those 2 airports so naturally I'm considering them.
I've never flown on Southwest before. I recall that some people feel they
deserve a poor reputation. Do I also recall that they don't assign seats
in advance? If that's true, would there be kind of a free for all with us
trying to get on quick to grab some seats together?
On the plus side, Southwest proudly points out that they have no hidden
fees. http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/pod_chart.html
We would have to factor in the charge for any checked bags that other
airlines charge. For an 8 day cruise, there's no getting around each of us
checking a bag....

Personally I like to fly Southwest. They are the most reliable, on-time
airline in the US. They do not assign seats, but I haven't found that to be
a problem yet. You may have to line up earlier to get in the first group or
second group boarding. Experienced SWA passengers remember to bring their
own lunch (sandwiches or similar). You will find happier, friendlier cabin
attendants than most other airlines because they like their jobs and enjoy
the benefits offered by SWA.
Paul Johnson

"TEP" wrote in message
...

"John Sisker" wrote in message
m...
If it helps, and just for reference, here is a booking engine for the
airlines.

http://www.farebuzz.com/Affiliates/D...516&FpSub=K149

John


Why did you bother to post this site? One can't use it to book Southwest
flights!!


As mentioned, it was just for reference and if it helps. It was intended to
be used as a comparison. And besides, what's it to you? You're not even the
one who asked!