Southwest fares much higher between EWR & PHX
Yes, we are frequent fliers on Southwest between New York & Phoenix, Phoenix & Denver and Phoenix & Portland, OR. We have noticed that, since the MAX-8 drama began and sidelined 5% of Southwest's fleet, Southwest's fares on all three of those city pairs are now completely non-competitive. For example: Currently (04 Jun/19) a ONE-WAY ticket has a base price of $389 (before $25 more for EarlyBird) between NY and Phoenix - no matter how far ahead we try to book it, and regardless of whether a fare sale is in effect. Just 3 months ago, we regularly paid $235 for that same route. In comparison, also as of today, the same flight costs $188-300 on every other major airline. In addition, every Southwest flight is now completely jammed full and therefore - despite Southwest's 2 free checked bags policy - there is now a lot more stressful competition for overhead bin space and just that more general feeling of a cattle call. We have always loved Southwest, but we're not going to continue to pay a premium fare for a no-frills experience. Until this fare situation returns to normal, we will be focusing our air travel on Delta and American.