Is Southwest the premium air carrier in the United States?
Jun 4, 2017, 12:01 pm
#1
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Is Southwest the premium air carrier in the United States?
So, I was looking at this reddit post yesterday, and it reminded me that I had been thinking that Southwest is a premium-class carrier, with better amenities, and legacy carriers, like United, American, etc., behave more as budget airlines nowadays, with the nickel-and-dime baggage fees, etc. What does flyertalk think?
https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeaut...ted_states_oc/
https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeaut...ted_states_oc/
Jun 4, 2017, 12:29 pm
#2
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"Premium" no. The word in the airline world connotes enhanced service over the ordinary. Southwest just gives the flyer a low hassle level of (consistent, albeit proletariat) service.
Jun 4, 2017, 3:26 pm
#4
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If by "premium" you mean no checked bag fees, no change fees, and friendly employees, then the answer is a resounding "yes".
If by "premium" you mean a First Class cabin exists on most flights, then "no". However, in many cases that F seat comes with a lot of hassles. Keep in mind that most people on the plane are not in F. They are in Y. Do they care that an F cabin exists up front? I doubt it.
If by "premium" you mean a First Class cabin exists on most flights, then "no". However, in many cases that F seat comes with a lot of hassles. Keep in mind that most people on the plane are not in F. They are in Y. Do they care that an F cabin exists up front? I doubt it.
Jun 5, 2017, 8:54 am
#8
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if you substitute "premium" for "preferred" or something else you might have a debate. Premium would imply there are lounges or some sort of exclusive perks for big travelers or big spenders.
Jun 5, 2017, 9:29 am
#9
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And even among LCCs, some might argue that even JetBlue is more premium than Southwest. And, while it still exists, Virgin America. And, before Southwest swallowed it up and morphed it into itself, AirTran.
So one could say that Southwest is the least premium of all the conventional LCCs, but of course it's much more premium than any of the ULCCs (Spirit, etc). But since all the LCCs are smaller, one could also say that Southwest is the least premium of the 4 biggest airlines in the USA.
Now, if instead of evaluating the airline / airplanes overall, and if you want to focus just on the cheapest seat on the plane, then you could say that the cheapest seat on the plane on Southwest is more premium than the cheapest seat on the plane on the 3 legacies. (But the cheapest seat on the plane on one or two of the other LCCs might still be more premium?)
So one could say that Southwest is the least premium of all the conventional LCCs, but of course it's much more premium than any of the ULCCs (Spirit, etc). But since all the LCCs are smaller, one could also say that Southwest is the least premium of the 4 biggest airlines in the USA.
Now, if instead of evaluating the airline / airplanes overall, and if you want to focus just on the cheapest seat on the plane, then you could say that the cheapest seat on the plane on Southwest is more premium than the cheapest seat on the plane on the 3 legacies. (But the cheapest seat on the plane on one or two of the other LCCs might still be more premium?)
Jun 6, 2017, 3:07 pm
#10
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So, I was looking at this reddit post yesterday, and it reminded me that I had been thinking that Southwest is a premium-class carrier, with better amenities, and legacy carriers, like United, American, etc., behave more as budget airlines nowadays, with the nickel-and-dime baggage fees, etc. What does flyertalk think?
https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeaut...ted_states_oc/
https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeaut...ted_states_oc/
It's the fast food of the sky, targetted at the middle class infrequent flier and the regional business set that won't spend on biz class. It's great for short hops if you don't mind losing miles on a legacy, but calling it premium is like calling a Chevy Aveo "Luxury"
Jun 6, 2017, 3:51 pm
#11
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No, it is not "Premium" in any sense of the word. It is an LCC..Low Cost Carrier..and LCC's in principle reduce frills to keep prices lower. No great reward program, no international, no shared alliance programs, no first class, no meals, no business class, no lounges, and no assigned seating. A proper airline will have perks for frequent fliers, particularly international fliers, and they are frequently transferrable across carriers.
It's the fast food of the sky, targetted at the middle class infrequent flier and the regional business set that won't spend on biz class. It's great for short hops if you don't mind losing miles on a legacy, but calling it premium is like calling a Chevy Aveo "Luxury"
It's the fast food of the sky, targetted at the middle class infrequent flier and the regional business set that won't spend on biz class. It's great for short hops if you don't mind losing miles on a legacy, but calling it premium is like calling a Chevy Aveo "Luxury"
Aruba
Belize
Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos
Cancun
Cuba
Grand Cayman Island
Liberia, Costa Rica
Mexico City
Montego Bay
Nassau, Bahamas
Puerto Vallarta
Punta Cana
San Jose, Costa Rica
Jun 6, 2017, 4:23 pm
#14
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No, it is not "Premium" in any sense of the word. It is an LCC..Low Cost Carrier..and LCC's in principle reduce frills to keep prices lower. No great reward program, no international, no shared alliance programs, no first class, no meals, no business class, no lounges, and no assigned seating. A proper airline will have perks for frequent fliers, particularly international fliers, and they are frequently transferrable across carriers.
It's the fast food of the sky, targetted at the middle class infrequent flier and the regional business set that won't spend on biz class. It's great for short hops if you don't mind losing miles on a legacy, but calling it premium is like calling a Chevy Aveo "Luxury"
It's the fast food of the sky, targetted at the middle class infrequent flier and the regional business set that won't spend on biz class. It's great for short hops if you don't mind losing miles on a legacy, but calling it premium is like calling a Chevy Aveo "Luxury"
Jun 6, 2017, 7:11 pm
#15
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It is not premium, but it is not LCC. I would put it on the same level as the legacy carriers, even though SWA does some things differently.