As competition heats up, Southwest wants San Diego to know it's No. 1 airline
#16
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,288
More remarkable, during a brief fare war, it offered a free bottle (750 ml) of Crown Royal, Chivas Regal or Jack Daniels to passengers who paid full fare on the then-very competitive Dallas-Houston route. Full fare was $26.
#17
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
The vast majority of the WN fleet (737-700s) have 31" pitch.
Same could be said about Alaska. You must not recall the Mai Tais on Hawaii flights that were done away with late last year. Or the free SDC to any co-terminal airport. Same thing with this "marketing campaign" that AS is running, touting the "most west coast" flights; despite not serving the fourth (HOU), sixth (PHX, unless you want to fly here for three weeks in 2018), seventh (SAT), largest cities in the country from any or all of their CA "hubs" or having one flight a day to the third (Chicago), fifth (PHL) and 11th (AUS). But hey, you can fly to Fresno (#34) or to Minneapolis (#46, but only from SFO)!
Same could be said about Alaska. You must not recall the Mai Tais on Hawaii flights that were done away with late last year. Or the free SDC to any co-terminal airport. Same thing with this "marketing campaign" that AS is running, touting the "most west coast" flights; despite not serving the fourth (HOU), sixth (PHX, unless you want to fly here for three weeks in 2018), seventh (SAT), largest cities in the country from any or all of their CA "hubs" or having one flight a day to the third (Chicago), fifth (PHL) and 11th (AUS). But hey, you can fly to Fresno (#34) or to Minneapolis (#46, but only from SFO)!
#19
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 917
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,300
I won't fly WN ex-SAN because T1 is so awful.
I fly UA, VX, or DL, in that order. United has arguably its best domestic United Club in T2.
And the seats are exceptionally uncomfortable since they were slimlined.
I fly UA, VX, or DL, in that order. United has arguably its best domestic United Club in T2.
And the seats are exceptionally uncomfortable since they were slimlined.
#22
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,485
I was asked for my opinion, gave 3 specific factors I consider important; had NOTHING to do with standard seat pitch or check baggage policies, unsure of the incessant need to promote WN, other carriers in the AS forum. I value the ability to reserve an exit row or premium economy seat at booking, chance at a first class upgrade - one of the primary reasons I choose to remain loyal to AA and AS (will leave the subject of IROPS interlining benefits for another day).
I was in Northern California on business this past week, did some wine tasting in the Lodi area on the way to Sacramento (highly recommended, BTW). There was little time to pack the 4 bottles of wine purchased along the way, only had a 12-bottle cardboard wine case from my last stop. Upon arrival at the AS counter in SMF, the gate agents were super friendly, reminded me of the AS policy to check one case of wine for free (not an issue, as I am already MVPG, hold the AS credit card), took the time to add packing materials to secure the bottles on the box, tape it carefully, cover it in more than 1 dozen "fragile", "special handling " labels - all done while I was walking to the gate - for an upgraded first class seat. Upon arrival in San DIego, the box was carefully placed in the oversized baggage area, not dropped on the carousel with other checked baggage. One can make the argument that I was an MVPG, sitting in first, but the ticket counter agents truly went above and beyond - something I would not have even ATTEMPTED with WN.
I was in Northern California on business this past week, did some wine tasting in the Lodi area on the way to Sacramento (highly recommended, BTW). There was little time to pack the 4 bottles of wine purchased along the way, only had a 12-bottle cardboard wine case from my last stop. Upon arrival at the AS counter in SMF, the gate agents were super friendly, reminded me of the AS policy to check one case of wine for free (not an issue, as I am already MVPG, hold the AS credit card), took the time to add packing materials to secure the bottles on the box, tape it carefully, cover it in more than 1 dozen "fragile", "special handling " labels - all done while I was walking to the gate - for an upgraded first class seat. Upon arrival in San DIego, the box was carefully placed in the oversized baggage area, not dropped on the carousel with other checked baggage. One can make the argument that I was an MVPG, sitting in first, but the ticket counter agents truly went above and beyond - something I would not have even ATTEMPTED with WN.
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,942
WN doesn't fly to Alaska nor Hawaii. Hence I've never been on WN.
#24
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS G100K, DL PM, IHG Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 843
I don't fly WN, but I believe they offer a compelling product to the flying public, especially to ones who do not have status in other major airlines. If you don't fly a lot, you certainly like the free baggage allowance, no change fees, and who care about the "kindergarten" boarding process.
I can't argue about whether they started the race to the bottom, but they are certainly not a bottom feeder airline (think NK).
i think they provide a good alternative flying experience to the flying public, and I believe it is good for the airline market.
I can't argue about whether they started the race to the bottom, but they are certainly not a bottom feeder airline (think NK).
i think they provide a good alternative flying experience to the flying public, and I believe it is good for the airline market.
#25
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
So lets look at the MSAs: you cant fly nonstop to markets #5 (Houston), #8 (MIA/FLL/PBI), #9 (Atlanta), and #12 (Phoenix, unless its during the three week windows in spring 2018) nonstop on AS from any California hub (or airport for that matter). Southwest serves all of those except FLL/PBI from all their big California airports, including SAN..
I agree 100%.
#26
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
#28
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Preferably waiting for takeoff
Programs: AA EXP, MVPG, DL Silver, United Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 458
Aside from WN, AS and VX - DL is a war zone.
#29
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Fair point.
So lets look at the MSAs: you cant fly nonstop to markets #5 (Houston), #8 (MIA/FLL/PBI), #9 (Atlanta), and #12 (Phoenix, unless its during the three week windows in spring 2018) nonstop on AS from any California hub (or airport for that matter). Southwest serves all of those except FLL/PBI from all their big California airports, including SAN..
I agree 100%.