Southwest Airlines Review
Ok, so with the catastrophe of Spirit Airlines and the not-so-bad flight on Silver Airways, we now try one more airline to from Tampa to West Palm Beach/Delray Beach, Southwest Airlines. A new, reinvented, and a whole new experience of customer service airline. I would say this is not your typical airline like all the other commercial airlines. Their approach to flying is a little different.
Southwest Airlines notes that they are dedicated to the "highest quality of Customer Service with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and Company Spirit." I must stay that this statement is true, amongst some of the other airlines I have experienced. Like Jet Blue, the employees of Southwest Airlines go out of their way for their customers. I witnessed Southwest Employees assisting many handicapped individuals with their carry on's and small luggage onto the plane, a very rare occurrence that I have seen.
When I first got through airport security, I did not have to wait too long for the plane to board passengers. However, Southwest does not allow you to pick your seat on the plane. You have to wait on line, in your numbered row, to be called. Now to me, this is a little silly. I asked one of the flight attendants why they do this. They stated that it makes it easier for passengers to board the plane quicker by letting them pick their own seats. Southwest believes that this is a quick, easy, and efficient boarding process. Its called "Upgraded Boarding" and you pay $30 to $40 each way depending on the destination which gets you in the A1 - A15 boarding group. How this works is when you arrive at the airport and you are ready to board the plane, you look at your boarding pass to find your assigned boarding group (A, B, or C) and boarding position (1 - 60). When your group is called, you stand by the column with your number on it until it’s your turn to board. You do have the option to purchase this "Upgraded Boarding" before purchasing your ticket online with Southwest. Not too bad as the other airlines, for instance, Delta, who charge anywhere from $22 to $75 for an upgraded seat. I did opt for this as I wanted to get the full experience.
Now boarded on the plane, I get a pretty good front row seat, aisle of course! Now looking inside and around the plane, it is very clean and roomy. I really like the HEART symbol (aka "LUV") on the plane. What's LUV you say? As Southwest stated: "Southwest has been in LUV with our Customers from the very beginning. Therefore, it's fitting that we began service to San Antonio and Houston from Love Field in Dallas on June 18, 1971. As our Company and Customers grew, our LUV grew too! With the prettiest Flight Attendants serving "Love Bites" on our planes, and determined Employees issuing tickets from our "Love Machines," we changed the face of the airline industry throughout the 1970s. Then in 1977, our stock was listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "LUV." Over the ensuing years, our LUV has spread from coast to coast and border to border thanks to our hardworking Employees and their LUV for Customer Service."
In addition, Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free® to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, no change fees, and the in-flight entertainment portal* featuring a flight tracker, arrival and connecting gate information, games, and access to Southwest.com® at no charge! You can also enjoy free live TV, on-demand TV, movies, web browsing (with paid WiFi access) and messaging during your flight. You just download the app on the Southwest.com website from you phone and you are ready to go! I love it!
They also offer drinks and snacks such as soda and pretzels, but do offer other drinks and snacks at a price.
So on the way both to PBI and back to Tampa was very smooth and fast! We were there and back in less than an hour and we were on time both times. Great flight and nice people. Was not bad at all!
OVERALL: I liked it so much that I booked my trip to New York on Southwest.... BONUS! I would definitely recommend taking them whether for a short trip or a long one. They are just like Jet Blue and the service is great!
Please feel free to comment as I would love to hear from you.
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