Flying Southwest for the first time. (1 Viewer)

[The Gator]

Is this whole no seat assignment appealing to people or is this a cost thing or no better option thing b/c of where you fly from? I couldn't imagine not knowing beforehand that I have the seat type I desire. Btw, I'm tall.

I like the excitement of the unknown, and it primes me for haphazard gambling in Vegas.

JK. The flight was several hundred dollars cheaper for a direct, and I'm average height, but low maintenance.

 

[belljr]

Listen I like SW as much as the next person but to act like they never have delays is just silly. Are we forgetting the system melt down 18 months ago

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Southwest is consistently, if not the most expensive, close to it. Pass

 

[BassNBrew]

Is this whole no seat assignment appealing to people or is this a cost thing or no better option thing b/c of where you fly from? I couldn't imagine not knowing beforehand that I have the seat type I desire. Btw, I'm tall.

They did "research" a long time ago and found that planes actually boarded faster this way.

Here you go

Faster boarding times
Over time, according to the airline, multiple studies have proven that its unallocated seating model has also improved boarding times. Faster boarding, in turn, generally contributes to more on-time departures and, ultimately, cost savings. The airline claims this translates into cheaper prices for passengers' tickets.

But as a consumer, is this a pref or are you stuck with this b/c this is your only airline option?

I like Southwest airlines.

I would guess over the years, I've flown with them at least 50 times. Can't really remember any issues. They are frequently on time, no issues with baggage, cost is good.

I've flown with Delta, American, United..... They are all fine, but the experience isn't anything better to me. And, the few times I've had issues (significant flight delays, cancellations, cost having to change tickets), it's been with those airlines.

Years ago I was flying home to Chicago (from Pittsburgh). Due to convenience (I live closer to O’hare than Midway) I almost always fly United.

So anyway, there were storms in the Pittsburgh area that night, and my United flight was delayed multiple times. I got the sense the flight would be canceled (call it a 6th sense after flying too often for 20+ years). So I see there is a Southwest flight leaving in 20 min. Boarding already. On time.

I go to the Southwest counter and ask “how likely are you to leave on time?” Agent looks at me confused. I clarify “weather is bad and other airlines are delaying or cancelling flights. Will this one fly on time?”

Agent says “umm, this flight is 100% leaving in about 18 minutes, and the doors will close in 8.

So I buy a ticket. Get a refund for my massively delayed United flight. Tell my co-worker “if you want to get home, fly Southwest with me.”

My SW flight leaves on time. Co-worker sticks with United. Flight gets canceled and doesn’t leave until the next morning.

Simple. Easy. Great experience. Wish that Midway was convenient for me, but it isn’t. Plus I fly a lot, often to places where Southwest isn’t the easiest for me. But man, would be great if it was.

LOL...exact opposite experience. Every airline was leaving Charlotte but SW would because of weather. The real reason was they didn't have a crew. They finally moved us to a different flight and dumped us in Midway at 1am which is the biggest dunghole in the US. Had to sleep on the floor because there's nowhere in the airport to sit without a fixed arm rest. Everything closed and maybe two vending machines with crap. Also they come off as the fun loving airline. Flight attendants telling you to chug a lug your remaining drink and pilots never wearing matching uniforms. At least give me the illusion of professionalism if you have my soul in your seat. I do like not having to pay for bags and the auxiliary staff is always friendly and helpful. Also I don't think there seat cushions are attached and your arse will hurt on any flight over 3 hours.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Is this whole no seat assignment appealing to people or is this a cost thing or no better option thing b/c of where you fly from? I couldn't imagine not knowing beforehand that I have the seat type I desire. Btw, I'm tall.

They did "research" a long time ago and found that planes actually boarded faster this way.

Here you go

Faster boarding times
Over time, according to the airline, multiple studies have proven that its unallocated seating model has also improved boarding times. Faster boarding, in turn, generally contributes to more on-time departures and, ultimately, cost savings. The airline claims this translates into cheaper prices for passengers' tickets.

But as a consumer, is this a pref or are you stuck with this b/c this is your only airline option?

I like Southwest airlines.

I would guess over the years, I've flown with them at least 50 times. Can't really remember any issues. They are frequently on time, no issues with baggage, cost is good.

I've flown with Delta, American, United..... They are all fine, but the experience isn't anything better to me. And, the few times I've had issues (significant flight delays, cancellations, cost having to change tickets), it's been with those airlines.

Years ago I was flying home to Chicago (from Pittsburgh). Due to convenience (I live closer to O’hare than Midway) I almost always fly United.

So anyway, there were storms in the Pittsburgh area that night, and my United flight was delayed multiple times. I got the sense the flight would be canceled (call it a 6th sense after flying too often for 20+ years). So I see there is a Southwest flight leaving in 20 min. Boarding already. On time.

I go to the Southwest counter and ask “how likely are you to leave on time?” Agent looks at me confused. I clarify “weather is bad and other airlines are delaying or cancelling flights. Will this one fly on time?”

Agent says “umm, this flight is 100% leaving in about 18 minutes, and the doors will close in 8.

So I buy a ticket. Get a refund for my massively delayed United flight. Tell my co-worker “if you want to get home, fly Southwest with me.”

My SW flight leaves on time. Co-worker sticks with United. Flight gets canceled and doesn’t leave until the next morning.

Simple. Easy. Great experience. Wish that Midway was convenient for me, but it isn’t. Plus I fly a lot, often to places where Southwest isn’t the easiest for me. But man, would be great if it was.

LOL...exact opposite experience. Every airline was leaving Charlotte but SW would because of weather. The real reason was they didn't have a crew. They finally moved us to a different flight and dumped us in Midway at 1am which is the biggest dunghole in the US. Had to sleep on the floor because there's nowhere in the airport to sit without a fixed arm rest. Everything closed and maybe two vending machines with crap. Also they come off as the fun loving airline. Flight attendants telling you to chug a lug your remaining drink and pilots never wearing matching uniforms. At least give me the illusion of professionalism if you have my soul in your seat. I do like not having to pay for bags and the auxiliary staff is always friendly and helpful. Also I don't think there seat cushions are attached and your arse will hurt on any flight over 3 hours.

Brutal. Maybe they all just suck.

 

[sho nuff]

Southwest is consistently, if not the most expensive, close to it. Pass

Ive not really found that to be the case. Especially if needing to check a bag. Add in easy to earn rewards with their Chase credit cards...I don't recall when we last paid full price for a flight in the past several years. Wife and Daughter at least 3 trips to Chicago, points paid for Son's flight to NY. Paid half of our flights (family of 4) to NY a couple years back, wife took a friend to meet some people in Texas a couple years ago...and booked a flight to Cali for a girls trip. We also booked to Chicago for a dance thing for our daughter (3 of us going) on points. Sure, we don't fly alot either but have flown more in the last few years because of switching to this card and earning the points with SW.

 

[the moops]

Southwest is consistently, if not the most expensive, close to it. Pass

I have never flown Southwest because of this very reason.

 

[NutterButter]

Is this whole no seat assignment appealing to people or is this a cost thing or no better option thing b/c of where you fly from? I couldn't imagine not knowing beforehand that I have the seat type I desire. Btw, I'm tall.

I like the excitement of the unknown, and it primes me for haphazard gambling in Vegas.

JK. The flight was several hundred dollars cheaper for a direct, and I'm average height, but low maintenance.

Easy choice then since you can use the savings to get that priority boarding option

 

[Joe Bryant]

Southwest is consistently, if not the most expensive, close to it. Pass

Ive not really found that to be the case. Especially if needing to check a bag. Add in easy to earn rewards with their Chase credit cards...I don't recall when we last paid full price for a flight in the past several years. Wife and Daughter at least 3 trips to Chicago, points paid for Son's flight to NY. Paid half of our flights (family of 4) to NY a couple years back, wife took a friend to meet some people in Texas a couple years ago...and booked a flight to Cali for a girls trip. We also booked to Chicago for a dance thing for our daughter (3 of us going) on points. Sure, we don't fly alot either but have flown more in the last few years because of switching to this card and earning the points with SW.

Same. I guess it depends on the flights but I have definitely not consistently found them to be the most expensive.

 

[FiredMartz]

Depends on the airport here in SoCal

LAX cheapest
Ontario a little more
Orange County most

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Good timing on this as I've flow 4 different airlines over the past 2 weeks

United SFO-PHX delayed 3 hours which meant instead of getting in at 1030 pm I got in at 130 am which lead to an extra 45 minutes with Hertz because they tried to change my rental rate due to me showing up the next day

Frontier PHX-SFO Ironically no delays or issues with my cheapest flight.

Alaska SFO-Austin What a total **** show, was supposed to be on a 530 pm flight to get in at 1115 pm but our plane was late from Mexico, well when a plane comes from Mexico it has to go through extra inspections (drugs, guns, stowaways?) before it can move from the international terminal to domestic so that delayed it even longer. 4 hours later and I was on my way, luckily I was able to change my hotel from Round Rock, TX to a hotel right next to the airport because I wasn't getting my rental at 3 am and I was not looking to get f'd by Uber on the prices. Hertz at this location had no issues with me showing up the next morning and taking my car at the same rate that it was reserved at.

Southwest Austin-SFO Another 3.5 hour delay, no explanation given but it was coming from FL and not Houston so weather shouldn't have been the issue. The funny thing was this flight had me laying over at LAX for 30 minutes but luckily it was on the same plane that I was already going to be on so I didn't have to worry about missing my connection. The stupid thing was that they made me deboard the plane and then get back on because it had a different flight number even though I booked it as AUS/SFO and not as separate legs.

I've flown quite a bit over the past 6 months and had not experienced anything like the past 2 weekends, maybe I'm the jinx but the issues were with flying in general and not airline specific.

 

[Psychopav]

Good timing on this as I've flow 4 different airlines over the past 2 weeks

United SFO-PHX delayed 3 hours which meant instead of getting in at 1030 pm I got in at 130 am which lead to an extra 45 minutes with Hertz because they tried to change my rental rate due to me showing up the next day

Frontier PHX-SFO Ironically no delays or issues with my cheapest flight.

Alaska SFO-Austin What a total **** show, was supposed to be on a 530 pm flight to get in at 1115 pm but our plane was late from Mexico, well when a plane comes from Mexico it has to go through extra inspections (drugs, guns, stowaways?) before it can move from the international terminal to domestic so that delayed it even longer. 4 hours later and I was on my way, luckily I was able to change my hotel from Round Rock, TX to a hotel right next to the airport because I wasn't getting my rental at 3 am and I was not looking to get f'd by Uber on the prices. Hertz at this location had no issues with me showing up the next morning and taking my car at the same rate that it was reserved at.

Southwest Austin-SFO Another 3.5 hour delay, no explanation given but it was coming from FL and not Houston so weather shouldn't have been the issue. The funny thing was this flight had me laying over at LAX for 30 minutes but luckily it was on the same plane that I was already going to be on so I didn't have to worry about missing my connection. The stupid thing was that they made me deboard the plane and then get back on because it had a different flight number even though I booked it as AUS/SFO and not as separate legs.

I've flown quite a bit over the past 6 months and had not experienced anything like the past 2 weekends, maybe I'm the jinx but the issues were with flying in general and not airline specific.

Papa Joe's fixing all this with his new law, right?

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Southwest is consistently, if not the most expensive, close to it. Pass

Ive not really found that to be the case. Especially if needing to check a bag. Add in easy to earn rewards with their Chase credit cards...I don't recall when we last paid full price for a flight in the past several years. Wife and Daughter at least 3 trips to Chicago, points paid for Son's flight to NY. Paid half of our flights (family of 4) to NY a couple years back, wife took a friend to meet some people in Texas a couple years ago...and booked a flight to Cali for a girls trip. We also booked to Chicago for a dance thing for our daughter (3 of us going) on points. Sure, we don't fly alot either but have flown more in the last few years because of switching to this card and earning the points with SW.

Maybe it’s where I’m at in SoCal. I don’t have their CC. But I have other airline CCs where the bags are then free. I always check their flights and it never makes sense to fly southwest. And the fact they they refuse to share info with 3rd party sites is incredibly annoying.

 

[Ron Swanson]

I'm really not supposed to, but since you're a FBG I'll let you in on a super-secret SW boarding hack. Don't waste your money paying for Early Bird check in or a premium place in line. Just board with whatever group you land in. A, B, C, it really makes no difference. But, when you enter the plane look right at the lead flight attendant who greets you, give them a big smile, and say "chubby tailfin". That's all. It's a secret code from the old days of SW when they just ran commuter flights in TX. But they all know about it. Once the flight attendant hears the code they will ask you which seat you prefer and escort you to your seat of choice even if they have to move other passengers out of it. It is best to have a game plan and know ahead which seat you want (you can find plane maps online) because you don't want to cause an extra boarding delay figuring out your seat.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your flight.

 

[urbanhack]

Southwest is consistently, if not the most expensive, close to it. Pass

this didn't use to be the case, but their prices have been just as high as everyone else the last 12 to 24 months.

I had to book an emergency flight home last week. Used Delta on the way and then Southwest back on Friday. I was able to use some credits, but since the flight was last minute and I got C16 even though I checked in exactly 24 hours in advance. They were charging $60 to get the A1 to 15 position.

 

[McBokonon]

Everybody is going to have wildly different price experiences among airlines based on the airports the are flying out of and into.

Southwest is fine for shorter domestic flights, but when it starts getting longer than 3 or 4 hours, I'm willing to pay more for another airline and at least premium economy or at least an assigned economy aisle seat, which I prefer.

 

[Gally]

3) The few times I got a C group, I just did Upgraded Boarding. Only needed it a handful of times, but again, becomes a non-issue except the cost. And with the credit card, it's reimbursed, so no cost.

I have never used Early Check in or Upgraded Boarding. I have ben in the C group a handful of times and even on full flights I have never had to sit in the middle. I always choose and aisle seat and have never not gotten one. This is easy when flying solo.

When flying with the family we still have never doen Early/Upgrade and been C a few times but everyone gets a seat they want even if not all together. We have gotten better at checking in right away (24 hrs) and typically get a mid to late B boarding slot.

 

[bigbottom]

Depends on the airport here in SoCal

LAX cheapest
Ontario a little more
Orange County most

Southwest in and out of Long Beach has been my go to for both LA and OC destinations.

 

[Ted Stickles]

Big Southwest fan and we fly it 99% of the time.

We tend to use miles to book and the flexibility of being able to cancel up to departure time and get refunded for any price decreases, makes it a no-brainer for us.

We always set an alarm 24 hour plus a few minutes before the 24 hour check-in. We usually get the end of the A group, or the front of B.

Agreed that the window exit seat with no seat in front s the best seat on the plane, which I have gotten a few times.

We never pay for early check-in or upgrades as we find that to be entirely unnecessary.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Score! Got a window, row 9, and the only vacant middle seat on the plane!

 

[Terminalxylem]

Is this whole no seat assignment appealing to people or is this a cost thing or no better option thing b/c of where you fly from? I couldn't imagine not knowing beforehand that I have the seat type I desire. Btw, I'm tall.

I like the excitement of the unknown, and it primes me for haphazard gambling in Vegas.

JK. The flight was several hundred dollars cheaper for a direct, and I'm average height, but low maintenance.

You staying at The Cal?

Air bnb

 

[sho nuff]

Southwest is consistently, if not the most expensive, close to it. Pass

Ive not really found that to be the case. Especially if needing to check a bag. Add in easy to earn rewards with their Chase credit cards...I don't recall when we last paid full price for a flight in the past several years. Wife and Daughter at least 3 trips to Chicago, points paid for Son's flight to NY. Paid half of our flights (family of 4) to NY a couple years back, wife took a friend to meet some people in Texas a couple years ago...and booked a flight to Cali for a girls trip. We also booked to Chicago for a dance thing for our daughter (3 of us going) on points. Sure, we don't fly alot either but have flown more in the last few years because of switching to this card and earning the points with SW.

Same. I guess it depends on the flights but I have definitely not consistently found them to be the most expensive.

Probably helps being in Nashville and our flights have mainly been easy spots like Chicago or NY. Wife flew into Dallas I think. Her cali flight was the only one that wasn’t too standard. I flew to San Diego last October for work and it SW was the cheapest option.

 

[SFBayDuck]

I don't mind Southwest at all for leisure travel. From here it's usually cheaper, the site is super easy to use, I like the free cancellation/change ability. Between the 24-hour reminder I set on my phone or just paying for early check-in, I haven't been in a C boarding group very often. When I am, I just pay for the Upgraded Boarding since I have the SW Chase card that covers 4 of those a year.

I do now try to avoid it for business travel that I have to book through our T&E portal, as they just don't play nicely if you have to make a change. I was delayed in PHX several weeks back and was going to miss my SW connection in LAS, so I booked a flight on another airline so I'd make it home that day. After trying to cancel my SW flight unsuccessfully on both sites, I ended up chatting with the T&E company online while on the phone with a SW agent, with each of them telling me the other had to do something. After 45 minutes of that I finally got it sorted out. Any changes with other airlines seem to be way easier to deal with.

 

[Wingnut]

It ain't Spirit. Just get on the plane, pound a few drinks, and enjoy the ride.

 

[dkp993]

Depends on the airport here in SoCal

LAX cheapest
Ontario a little more
Orange County most

Southwest in and out of Long Beach has been my go to for both LA and OC destinations.

Ontario is a dream. Easy access from the lot, never a security wait (or much of one if there is) and because it’s a smaller airport, no long walks to and from terminals. So easy.

 

[bigbottom]

Depends on the airport here in SoCal

LAX cheapest
Ontario a little more
Orange County most

Southwest in and out of Long Beach has been my go to for both LA and OC destinations.

Ontario is a dream. Easy access from the lot, never a security wait (or much of one if there is) and because it’s a smaller airport, no long walks to and from terminals. So easy.

Yep. Long Beach is so small it doesn’t even have jetways. You deplane outside and can exit from both the front and the back of the plane.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

John Wayne is closest to me and is pretty awesome as well. Ontario is too far from me. We fly in/out of Long Beach when going to HI and UT. Hawaiian air and delta. Always cheaper than southwest for those routes.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Depends on the airport here in SoCal

LAX cheapest
Ontario a little more
Orange County most

Southwest in and out of Long Beach has been my go to for both LA and OC destinations.

Ontario is a dream. Easy access from the lot, never a security wait (or much of one if there is) and because it’s a smaller airport, no long walks to and from terminals. So easy.

Yep. Long Beach is so small it doesn’t even have jetways. You deplane outside and can exit from both the front and the back of the plane.

yep, it's my go to from Oakland. just booked 6/28-7/6 in and out of long beach, love these 2 airports when flying with my golf clubs because i’m usually out to the curb with all my stuff within 20 minutes of landing.

 

[-fish-]

John Wayne is closest to me and is pretty awesome as well. Ontario is too far from me. We fly in/out of Long Beach when going to HI and UT. Hawaiian air and delta. Always cheaper than southwest for those routes.

John Wayne is great. Unfortunately, it's always significantly more expensive from Seattle, so I end up flying into Ontario or LAX if I'm flying to LA/Orange County.

Also, haven't flown Southwest in years, but I don't really mind it. Like Joe said, they're fine for what they are.

All my domestic flights are Delta or Alaska these days.

I flew Spirit once because I extended a stay in Vegas and that was my only option back. I'd take a train before I ever do that again.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

John Wayne is closest to me and is pretty awesome as well. Ontario is too far from me. We fly in/out of Long Beach when going to HI and UT. Hawaiian air and delta. Always cheaper than southwest for those routes.

John Wayne is great. Unfortunately, it's always significantly more expensive from Seattle, so I end up flying into Ontario or LAX if I'm flying to LA/Orange County.

Also, haven't flown Southwest in years, but I don't really mind it. Like Joe said, they're fine for what they are.

All my domestic flights are Delta or Alaska these days.

I flew Spirit once because I extended a stay in Vegas and that was my only option back. I'd take a train before I ever do that again.

I fly spirit on the rare occasions I go to Vegas. Got a $38 round trip when I went to the raider home opener. From John Wayne.

A dude I met in the USVI, worth zillions, made me laugh. He took spirit all the time back and forth to FL for business. He said he just thought of it like taking the subway. If it’s a non stop flight under 3 hours, who cares.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

John Wayne is closest to me and is pretty awesome as well. Ontario is too far from me. We fly in/out of Long Beach when going to HI and UT. Hawaiian air and delta. Always cheaper than southwest for those routes.

John Wayne is great. Unfortunately, it's always significantly more expensive from Seattle, so I end up flying into Ontario or LAX if I'm flying to LA/Orange County.

Also, haven't flown Southwest in years, but I don't really mind it. Like Joe said, they're fine for what they are.

All my domestic flights are Delta or Alaska these days.

I flew Spirit once because I extended a stay in Vegas and that was my only option back. I'd take a train before I ever do that again.

LAX has to be $200 cheaper per person for me to even consider it.

 

[UncleZen]

I'm really not supposed to, but since you're a FBG I'll let you in on a super-secret SW boarding hack. Don't waste your money paying for Early Bird check in or a premium place in line. Just board with whatever group you land in. A, B, C, it really makes no difference. But, when you enter the plane look right at the lead flight attendant who greets you, give them a big smile, and say "chubby tailfin". That's all. It's a secret code from the old days of SW when they just ran commuter flights in TX. But they all know about it. Once the flight attendant hears the code they will ask you which seat you prefer and escort you to your seat of choice even if they have to move other passengers out of it. It is best to have a game plan and know ahead which seat you want (you can find plane maps online) because you don't want to cause an extra boarding delay figuring out your seat.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your flight.

ok, I flew SW on Tuesday and tried out this hack. FYI, I just got out of jail to come post this update. Also, not sure how I get off the no-fly list.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Flew Delta today from Tampa to NYC. Spent 8.5 hours in the Tampa airport due to weather and mechanical issues. Barely had any updates the whole day. Practically radio silence. It was awful.

Other airlines were delayed too, but this particular flight appeared to be one of the more problematic. Good times.

 

[Gally]

All of this makes me want to change my "if I could have one super power what would it be" to teleportation so I never have to waste time driving or at an airport ever again.

 

[Ron Swanson]

Pro-tip for flying out of FL in the summer. Always book early flights. Afternoon and evening flights have a higher chance of being delayed or canceled when storms develop in the afternoon.

 

[Scoresman]

Pro-tip for flying out of FL in the summer. Always book early flights. Afternoon and evening flights have a higher chance of being delayed or canceled when storms develop in the afternoon.

I feel this is true for all flights. The earlier the flight the less chance of there being delays due to incoming flights, and also less chance a delay turns into a cancellation due to flight crew reaching max flight time.

 

[titusbramble]

John Wayne is closest to me and is pretty awesome as well. Ontario is too far from me. We fly in/out of Long Beach when going to HI and UT. Hawaiian air and delta. Always cheaper than southwest for those routes.

John Wayne is great. Unfortunately, it's always significantly more expensive from Seattle, so I end up flying into Ontario or LAX if I'm flying to LA/Orange County.

Also, haven't flown Southwest in years, but I don't really mind it. Like Joe said, they're fine for what they are.

All my domestic flights are Delta or Alaska these days.

I flew Spirit once because I extended a stay in Vegas and that was my only option back. I'd take a train before I ever do that again.

I fly spirit on the rare occasions I go to Vegas. Got a $38 round trip when I went to the raider home opener. From John Wayne.

A dude I met in the USVI, worth zillions, made me laugh. He took spirit all the time back and forth to FL for business. He said he just thought of it like taking the subway. If it’s a non stop flight under 3 hours, who cares.

That is also my thought. Anything short haul makes no real attempt to differentiate from the competition, I'm 5'7" so dgaf about legroom for the most part, whatever is the cheapest at a reasonable timing wins

 

[gianmarco]

Pro-tip for flying out of FL in the summer. Always book early flights. Afternoon and evening flights have a higher chance of being delayed or canceled when storms develop in the afternoon.

I feel this is true for all flights. The earlier the flight the less chance of there being delays due to incoming flights, and also less chance a delay turns into a cancellation due to flight crew reaching max flight time.

Yep. Actually, mid morning flights (9-10a ) are the sweet spot. First flights early morning are typically crowded, as is the airport, with everyone doing that same thing, having to be somewhere at a certain time, etc.

9am is usually dead, especially during the week, high likelihood of getting out on time, and still later options if something goes wrong.

 

[Instinctive]

Pro-tip for flying out of FL in the summer. Always book early flights. Afternoon and evening flights have a higher chance of being delayed or canceled when storms develop in the afternoon.

I feel this is true for all flights. The earlier the flight the less chance of there being delays due to incoming flights, and also less chance a delay turns into a cancellation due to flight crew reaching max flight time.

Yep. Actually, mid morning flights (9-10a ) are the sweet spot. First flights early morning are typically crowded, as is the airport, with everyone doing that same thing, having to be somewhere at a certain time, etc.

9am is usually dead, especially during the week, high likelihood of getting out on time, and still later options if something goes wrong.

You also want to aim for Tue/Wed, and Th morning - and really avoid Monday morning and Thursday afternoon/evening (the hottest times for business travel).

For some reason I have always found saturday morning travel seems to be sucky. I guess infrequent travelers seem to always go then vs Friday night or taking a day off and leaving friday morning.

 

[nirad3]

Pro-tip for flying out of FL in the summer. Always book early flights. Afternoon and evening flights have a higher chance of being delayed or canceled when storms develop in the afternoon.

I feel this is true for all flights. The earlier the flight the less chance of there being delays due to incoming flights, and also less chance a delay turns into a cancellation due to flight crew reaching max flight time.

Yep. Actually, mid morning flights (9-10a ) are the sweet spot. First flights early morning are typically crowded, as is the airport, with everyone doing that same thing, having to be somewhere at a certain time, etc.

9am is usually dead, especially during the week, high likelihood of getting out on time, and still later options if something goes wrong.

I flew out of Minneapolis on a Saturday late morning about a month ago and man the airport was like completely empty. It was weird. Since 99% of my air travel is for business, I am never in airports on weekends, so it was quite interesting to see.

Pro-tip for flying out of FL in the summer. Always book early flights. Afternoon and evening flights have a higher chance of being delayed or canceled when storms develop in the afternoon.

I feel this is true for all flights. The earlier the flight the less chance of there being delays due to incoming flights, and also less chance a delay turns into a cancellation due to flight crew reaching max flight time.

Yep. Actually, mid morning flights (9-10a ) are the sweet spot. First flights early morning are typically crowded, as is the airport, with everyone doing that same thing, having to be somewhere at a certain time, etc.

9am is usually dead, especially during the week, high likelihood of getting out on time, and still later options if something goes wrong.

You also want to aim for Tue/Wed, and Th morning - and really avoid Monday morning and Thursday afternoon/evening (the hottest times for business travel).

For some reason I have always found saturday morning travel seems to be sucky. I guess infrequent travelers seem to always go then vs Friday night or taking a day off and leaving friday morning.

See above...

And because of my wife's work schedule, I pretty much travel Wednesday-Friday, unless I have a ton of site visits... like I do next week, where I'll be in San Antonio from Tuesday through Friday.

I always shoot for early morning on either Wednesday or Thursday. I hate getting to wherever I'm going late in the day. Prefer to get there as early as possible, which lets me get to my hotel, catch up on emails, poop and shower (not at the same time) and then go get some food and beers.

 

[Terminalxylem]

Score! Got a window, row 9, and the only vacant middle seat on the plane!

Return flight was completely full. I was Group B, number 3. Still got a window on row 11.

There was a screaming kid in front of me, but I don't blame Southwest for that.

Overall, a good experience, significantly cheaper, with better seats than I'd get on United, Delta, or Hawaiian. And I didn't even check a bag.

 

[gianmarco]

Score! Got a window, row 9, and the only vacant middle seat on the plane!

Return flight was completely full. I was Group B, number 3. Still got a window on row 11.

There was a screaming kid in front of me, but I don't blame Southwest for that.

Overall, a good experience, significantly cheaper, with better seats than I'd get on United, Delta, or Hawaiian. And I didn't even check a bag.

#1 Fan of Southwest Airlines username is already taken, FYI.

Glad it went well. Hope you saw the whole seat thing is overblown.

 

[Osaurus]

Rumor is (from Points Guy iirc) SW is doing away with open seating soonish. They are trying to appeal more to business travelers moving forward.