How to Survive Flying Southwest Airlines

Flying Southwest Airlines is a great way to save money. With the way gas prices have been skyrocketing, it is the only way some people can afford to travel. Some people love the airline. It is a perfect fit for them. However, there are others of us that aren’t so savvy. For us, traveling on Southwest isn’t ideal, but it is survivable. The low prices are what keep us coming back.

The first key to flying Southwest is to book early. Early on their prices are quite competitive with the other airlines. The longer you wait the higher the prices go. You can look to resources like Kayak to check the lowest prices at the other airlines before you book.

If you are one of those people who like having your own seat already predetermined, and are content with boarding rows X-X remember Southwest doesn’t play that way. Southwest boards like a cattle call. Based on when you check in you are put in a boarding class. The classes are A, B, and C. You can do online check in up to 24 hours before your flight departs. If you want to guarantee being in boarding class A, that is probably the way to go. I once flew ATA from San Francisco to Chicago and then had a Southwest codeshare flight back to Indianapolis. I had a four and a half hour layover in Chicago, and I checked in to my Southwest flight only moments after deplaning. I was still in boarding class B. When I flew from Indy to Las Vegas, my printer wasn’t working so I could check in (could print a boarding pass). I arrived at the airport a good two hours before the flight and was lucky to get boarding class B. One word of warning, if you book a Southwest Vacation Package, you cannot do the online check in, you have to have regular boarding passes. My friends ran into this problem. Even though the arrived at the airport 90 minutes before the flight, they were banished to boarding class C.

Once you have checked in, cleared security and have headed toward the gate area, now you play the waiting game. When you arrive at the gate, you will see the stanchions they will herd you through to board. Depending on how early you arrive, you may see people already sitting in the boarding class lines. I have seen people sitting in line over an hour before the plane will even board. These are diehards who want to ensure they will get “their” seat. If you have a large group, or you are very particular about where you sit you may want to join them . This is dangerous sometimes because they change gates. I once had a flight that was assigned to one gate, was moved to another gate and then back to the original gate. The diehard line people were very disgruntled!

Yes, it is ridiculous to stand in line for hours for a flight (especially since you have already paid for a seat) but it happens. There are some flights where people are patient and wait until boarding actually begins to get in line. However, the rule is by the time boarding begins all three boarding classes have lengthy lines. I usually wait until the line gets to a certain point, then I join in. I’m not exactly picky about my seat, but I have been that girl stuck between two fairly large people or rude people. That being said I have waiting in line for nearly forty-five minutes to board (granted our plane was a little late) and had to make a beeline for the lavatory once I was on the plane. Be prepared for any type of pre-boarding situation.

There isn’t really a way to avoid the boarding blues. The best you can do is be prepared and know that it might be an interesting couple hours at the gate. One thing you can do is try and get a non stop flight. This is not always possible depending on where you are flying from and your destination. If you have a non stop flight, you only have to be herded once. If you have a connection, you will most like have to deplane and then be herded again.

Once you are on board, you will find a seat and hopefully take off in a timely manner. Southwest is one of the only airlines I have traveled with where the flight crews are so different in their service. I have been on four hour flights and had two rounds of drink service and then had only had one on the return trip. Some flights, the flight crew is very present and if they miss you on a drink or snack run, they make sure they catch you later. Other flights the crew is nearly invisible. If you were in the lavatory or sleeping during the peanut run, well then you are just out of luck.

Finally, there is the issue of customer service. If you have an issue or complaint with Southwest, it is not exactly easy to get a hold of them. The airline does not have an e-mail address or form for customer service. You have to either call during their call center hours (not always an easy thing for us with normal jobs) , or you can send them a letter. I sent a letter in regards to my misplaced luggage, and I never heard anything in response.

Even with the hassles, flying Southwest is sometimes a necessary evil. The savings are worth this issues more times than not. It might not be the most luxurious airline, but it meets the basic need of getting from point A to point B without the big ticket price.