Can we just agree that "#1" is subjective and everyone can use whatever criteria they want.

Many websites use revenue, some use profit, some use quality of product, some use number of cities served, some use passengers enplaned, some use revenue passenger miles, and some use employee count, some use number of aircraft flown per day, etc.

The problem is Tango came to the Delta forum and said Southwest is number 1 because of profit to a bunch of (mostly) loyal Delta customers.

That being said, I just can't resist getting in another word:

Whatever you may say about the Southwest product, I will have to disagree that it cannot be better than Delta's product. My two trips to the airport at LAX go as follows:

Southwest

• Wait in line for security at Terminal 1, which is many times out the door and down the street.
• Go to the gate. I forgot to check in 24 hours in advance so I have a #2 zone boarding pass. The line for #2 is already formed. So I can now wait in line to board the airplane for the next 45 min. or I can go get something to eat and end up with a middle seat.
• Board the airplane at the appropriate time, and try to find a good seat. The very good positive about this is if I see a larger person I have the option of fully avoiding them.
• Fly to one of the 63 cities served within the US (http://www.southwest.com/about_swa/f...ons_index.html)

Delta

• Get in the short security line for GM/PM and First Class passengers
• Go to the Crown Room Club and relax while I wait for my flight.
• Check my e-mail and post a message to Flyer Talk.
• Board the airplane and take my first class seat.
• Fly to one of 311 cities within 52 countries. (http://www.delta.com/about_delta/cor...tion/index.jsp)

I just don't see there being ANY comparison with product. And sure you can say it is only because I have status, but so what? There is no such thing as status on Southwest, so they can never have as good of a product for me. Also, the list will look exactly the same (minus first class seat) for any other non-status customer that pays $25 for the visit to the CRC when they purchase their ticket online, as that will get them past security.

Again, I love what southwest has done. They have brought tremendous competition to the airline industry. Their competitive pricing has made all of my flying cheaper! I love that they fly in and out of LAX to a lot of the destinations that I go to, but to make a blanket statement that they are better than Delta in a Delta forum is not a quick way to make friends--especially with so many ways to refute it!