Originally Posted by
Beckles
I think that's a gross exaggeration, while Southwest isn't always the cheapest, I'd be the first to admit that, I'd sure be reluctant to claim they are rarely the cheapest. To test your theory, I'm going to pick five trips I've taken over the past year from here in Kansas City and price them on Southwest then Orbitz, not very scientific, but let's give it a try:
Kansas City - Las Vegas February 23-Febraury 25
Southwest - $399.30 (wow, I only fly this on Dings usually)
Orbitz - $379 on multiple carriers (CO there, America West connecting to AA on the way back), $426 on a single carrier
Kansas City - Chicago March 2-March 4
Southwest - $118.80
Orbitz - $123 on UA or AA
Kansas City - Dallas March 5 - March 7
Southwest - $114.30
Orbitz - $119 on AA
Kansas City - Fort Myers March 9 - March 11
Southwest -$451.60 (ouch, must be getting into Spring Break)
Orbitz - $372 on multiple carriers, $376 on a single carrier there and back
Kansas City - Pittsburgh March 12 - March 14
Southwest - $172.60
Orbitz - $178 on NW
If you subtract the Orbitz fee (usually $5), then Southwest is either more expensive of the same as everyone else. Thanks for proving it.
Also, even if Southwest is cheaper by $10, the benefits of a legacy carrier are leaps and bounds over Southwest: assigned seat, elite status, partner airlines to earn/fly on, etc...