Just some positive comments on WN from a new customer.
Mar 25, 2014, 1:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Jackson, WY
Posts: 543
Just some positive comments on WN from a new customer.
In January 2013 I signed up for the 2 credit cards to get the companion pass, having never flown WN before.
10+ flights later I am in love with this airline. I really think its the lack of rules. No hoops to jump through when you want to change. You don't need a special credit card to get free bags, or for $12.50 you can get a pretty good seat most times. Their point system couldn't be any simpler.
I wonder how many employees DL has just to enforce the rules? And how many more to write and understand? Someone needs to remind the other airlines if you can't explain it in an elevator ride....
Anyway WN has a new customer for a long time.
10+ flights later I am in love with this airline. I really think its the lack of rules. No hoops to jump through when you want to change. You don't need a special credit card to get free bags, or for $12.50 you can get a pretty good seat most times. Their point system couldn't be any simpler.
I wonder how many employees DL has just to enforce the rules? And how many more to write and understand? Someone needs to remind the other airlines if you can't explain it in an elevator ride....
Anyway WN has a new customer for a long time.
Mar 25, 2014, 7:10 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Orlando, FL, US
Programs: DL-Dirt Medallion;US-Cast Iron Preferred; HH-Gold; Avis First
Posts: 3,617
There's a lot of sniping about WN by fans of other airlines, but for non-elites, I think WN provides a lot better experience. For example, on the legacy airlines, most of the time when I book a ticket either no seats are available or only middles, so the assigned seating does squat for me. On WN, it's been a very rare occasion that I don't have a choice of several aisle or window seats. Several months ago I had a four hour delay and they pro-actively gave me (and my family) $200 vouchers. I've never had a legacy offer me anything when a flight was cancelled or delayed, even back when I had elite status with some of them. And while not every GA and FA is a winner, overall they tend to be more helpful and pleasant that the staff at the legacies.
Mar 25, 2014, 7:52 am
#5
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,579
The fascination some people have with advanced seating assignments really does not have a rational basis in my opinion. With other airlines you can select your seat in advance based on a seat map. With Southwest I select my seat based on what I see aboard the aircraft. I believe being aboard the aircraft provides me more information on what seat is most desirable than the information provided by a seat map.
Mar 25, 2014, 8:48 am
#6
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,640
The fascination some people have with advanced seating assignments really does not have a rational basis in my opinion. With other airlines you can select your seat in advance based on a seat map. With Southwest I select my seat based on what I see aboard the aircraft. I believe being aboard the aircraft provides me more information on what seat is most desirable than the information provided by a seat map.
For example, Monday morning the load was 92 our of 143. So I selected a row near the back and ended up with all 3 seats. Nap time! For a more normal load an aisle seat near row 16 is best. For a full flight I often choose the LUV seats (row with only 2 seats) to limit the lateral squeeze. The key is being able to choose after you know the load.
Mar 25, 2014, 9:41 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Orlando, FL, US
Programs: DL-Dirt Medallion;US-Cast Iron Preferred; HH-Gold; Avis First
Posts: 3,617
The fascination some people have with advanced seating assignments really does not have a rational basis in my opinion. With other airlines you can select your seat in advance based on a seat map. With Southwest I select my seat based on what I see aboard the aircraft. I believe being aboard the aircraft provides me more information on what seat is most desirable than the information provided by a seat map.
Mar 25, 2014, 11:37 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Alki. Seattle, WA
Programs: WN~A List Pref, CP, Hyatt-Diamond, Hilton Diamond, ANT~a Dave Matthews Addiction thing
Posts: 723
Mar 25, 2014, 1:02 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Jackson, WY
Posts: 543
Well stated. Plus the boarding screen tells you how full the flight is, so you can select your seat according to the actual passenger load.
For example, Monday morning the load was 92 our of 143. So I selected a row near the back and ended up with all 3 seats. Nap time! For a more normal load an aisle seat near row 16 is best. For a full flight I often choose the LUV seats (row with only 2 seats) to limit the lateral squeeze. The key is being able to choose after you know the load.
For example, Monday morning the load was 92 our of 143. So I selected a row near the back and ended up with all 3 seats. Nap time! For a more normal load an aisle seat near row 16 is best. For a full flight I often choose the LUV seats (row with only 2 seats) to limit the lateral squeeze. The key is being able to choose after you know the load.
Last edited by Mbcijim10; Mar 25, 2014 at 1:26 pm
Mar 25, 2014, 3:16 pm
#10
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,640
There are 4 numbers in large font left to right near the top of the screen. Add the first 2 numbers (BP's issued and Through passengers). That's the load if there are zero no-shows and zero standbys. Subtract from 143 (seat count for most aircraft) and that's how many empty seats there will be. More than 20 is good. More than 50 is great.
Mar 25, 2014, 4:05 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,705
There are 4 numbers in large font left to right near the top of the screen. Add the first 2 numbers (BP's issued and Through passengers). That's the load if there are zero no-shows and zero standbys. Subtract from 143 (seat count for most aircraft) and that's how many empty seats there will be. More than 20 is good. More than 50 is great.
Also, can be difficult to see at time due to the angle of the monitor and where the GA is positioned. Sometimes I feel guilty holding up the line twisting around trying to take a peek and often take a glance before lineup...
Mar 25, 2014, 4:08 pm
#12
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,640
For laughs, what are the 2 other numbers? I think one is the incremental count of how many are currently on board. Whats the other?
Also, can be difficult to see at time due to the angle of the monitor and where the GA is positioned. Sometimes I feel guilty holding up the line twisting around trying to take a peek and often take a glance before lineup...
Also, can be difficult to see at time due to the angle of the monitor and where the GA is positioned. Sometimes I feel guilty holding up the line twisting around trying to take a peek and often take a glance before lineup...
Yes, sometimes you can't see the monitor. Then you can ask the FA as you enter the aircraft how many passengers there are.
Mar 25, 2014, 4:16 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
When I get to the gate (usually 40-50 minutes before departure) if the GAs are not too busy I usually ask how many passengers there are and how many thrus.
Mar 28, 2014, 1:39 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,519