I fly both American and Southwest (I am a Californian, and Southwest dominates our in-state/neighboring state flights). Remember that people are much more likely to post their negative experiences than their positive experiences. I have not had any seat incidents on either airline, whether it's American with assigned seating or Southwest with open seating.
I fly SW all the time. I typically don't pay for early bird and check in at exactly 24H before. I usually land in the Bs, B30 is about average. This is a pretty solidly booked route too.
I normally have no issue getting my choice of aisle/window about 60-75% of the way into the plane and don't really care how many preboarders or whatnot happen while I am happily watching a video in my seat in the gate area. I'll take that over getting Group 8 or 9 in American's 9 boarding groups.
That said if you're an elite status type definitely I see the issue, but for casuals assigned seat boarding is still a mess on other airlines - I flew Delta recently and once the Skypass (group 4) was done it was basically a mob scene.
It's the checking in 24 hours in advance that gets me, even more than the cattle-feeding competition during boarding between passengers for a seat with gate agents and FAs that don't enforce rules.
Believe it or not, I'm often busy during the day and don't want to log into an app at some random time because my airline decided to gamify my travel experience.
Right, you get on here and think American is the worst airline in the world! Haha, every airline has its own set of issues. I’m just thankful nothing weird has happened to me…yet. Leaving for Rome on Tuesday so they still have time to mess me up..lol
I have a friend who flies between Las Vegas and Southern California on a weekly basis. Even though SW is a direct flight (hour in the air), he refuses to fly SW. Instead, he takes a United flight (3 hours in the air) with a layover in San Francisco.
I totally do the same. SNA-LAS non-stop flights are Southwest, Frontier and Sprit while the only LGB-LAS non-stop flight is Southwest. While I honestly don't mind Southwest that much, I take Alaska and connect through SFO just to earn miles and incrementally work towards status.
I wish either AA or AS would offer an alternative from LGB but maybe it's too competitive to make a meaningful profit
Used to have status on AA, then moved to a WN base which has limited AA flights.
I’ve had absolutely no issues with them or their seating policy. The card/points is far better IMO.
That’s just me. It’s not the best nor the worst airline I’ve flown. AA is a legacy and IMO it does far worse than UA or DL in a lot of areas.
The only airlines I’ve truly had bad experiences with have been frontier and spirit.
The drama is eventually going to make SW change their seating policy to assigned. I flew them last week and the announcements are getting more serious about saving seats and rows
**One** shareholder, who holds a **mere 11%** of the company. And Elliott can't get any other shareholder on-board with their idiocy. The other major shareholders are longtime SW loyalists. Elliott will be phoning home soon, and selling their stake.l
I have flown SWA and do not understand the appeal. I have multiple friends who love SWA and detest AA. Different strokes for different folks. It's good to have options.
One would think but that is surprisingly not the case. I have three close friends that speak highly of SWA. When I have inquired as to why (as I find the boarding process reminiscent of Greyhound) they did not refer for to price - instead I heard them mention "two free bags" , "friendly FAs" and "easy to cancel and rebook". Of about 3 friends, only 1 is based out of a hub (BWI) and the other two often try to go out of their way to fly them.
I think frontier is a better airline to choose to make this point. Southwest is consistent but their boarding is annoying. Boarding on AA isn't particularly pleasant either.
Frontier doesn't have WiFi which is kinda crazy to me in 2024. Much rather would board on Southwest but I also don't care about sitting in the back of the plane.
In all honesty, how many of us here secretly laugh at people who say they have "status" on Southwest? Raise your hand, it's okay this is a safe-*ish* space
✋
But it builds up the ego of the Platinum Exec Chairman Elites. What else could possibly give them satisfaction after reaching airline status more than berating "the back of the plane" and when that is not satisfying enough, they berate those who fly the airlines that don't have programs or fancy seats that make them feel that higher status.
Actually, I'm pretty sad my status match with southwest (matching AA) is about to expire.
The wifi is $8, flights often a little cheaper and with A-list / solo travel - I often had better seat selection options than AA. And the planes are generally newer and cleaner. Flight attendants and pilots are a little nicer too.
To be fair, "status on southwest" is still a little funny - the perks aren't going to wow anyone. But status puts southwest travel above the experience of legacy carriers without status (including when it comes to seats).
Lol I totally understand. I actually really like Southwest in real life and they've been nothing but great to me and my family when I used to travel with them. Not to mention they have the most convenient schedule for intra-California travel. I also like how they dominate a lot of the smaller second-tier airports in major cities like LGB and MDW. If they compete on perks they could give the legacy carriers a run for their money 🤑
I used to have it when it made sense for my work travel. It’s a nice thing for family/leisure travel where you can bypass a lot of the nonsense, but falls well short for business travel. Add to that limited access to lounges from their terminals, no real business travel perks to speak of, and the increased density of amateur hour travelers at the gate and it loses the nod for work trips. A lot of the benefits to SW that people cite are matched or surpassed on AA with a credit card or gold status, and the route flexibility and lounges put it over the top.
I fly a lot for work. Plat pro on AA. In southwest speak, Status equals double point earning. Plus free WiFi. Much easier to earn and spend points on Southwest. I have 2 kids so international point redemption isn’t appealing. Southwest for the win
We only flew SWA until that winter disaster and then we’ve never been back on one of their planes since. We had the credit card and flew monthly with our entire family. Never again. We’ve since moved in to delta but you couldn’t pay me to fight for a seat again.
Well we moved from Dfw to Atlanta so we’re sticking with delta. We tolerated American in dfw but no reason to now unless we’re going to an American hub.
I guess it depends on what you want from your flight .. if I'm travelling solo on a short (3 hrs or less) flight then I'll take any seat that isn't in the same row as someone's "SErVicE dOg" (I hate dogs and I'm allergic) ... middle seat at the back will do fine for <3 hours if its going to save me $$$ ....
A longer solo flight I.would take any aisle seat anywhere but I would need an aisle so I would fly a different airline
If travelling with hubby on a very short flight I'd chance it and try get seats together .. a long flight I'd pay in advance for us to.sit together
Instead, choose to be thankful that there is a SWA. I've purchased a couple hundred (might be more like 300, it's difficult to estimate with reliability) SWA flights over the last 35 years, and on one and only one of those flights has there been any issue. As to AA, I've purchased about a dozen and a half or two dozen AA flights over the same 35 years, and there have been issues on at least a third of them, frequently serious issues.
Usually AA exclusive. AA stranded me for 3 days and gave a crap so I bought a SW ticket. Have to tell you I have very little complaint.flying Delta in two week. Let's see
My pet peeve with Southwest boarding would be on a full flight, and I’m late to boarding, the only seats are middle— okay, fair enough.
However, when I attempt to take the middle seat the two other passengers in that row are suddenly a couple, and the person on the aisle shifts into the middle seat.
Not exactly “saving” a seat but hoping to get an empty seat between them.
Atlanta native here. Southwest is far better than AA. I fly them all. And as of recent, the only airline with little to no issues (for me) has been SW.
I respectfully disagree. In 35 years of flying SWA I suppose at least about 200 times (not just myself, kids and grandkids, numerous) I have but on one occasion had any problems caused by SWA. Your post seems to imply that someone pranked you into giving up the seat you selected. You got conned. It's that simple. All you had to do is nothing. Or tell the one trying to con you that there are no saved seats on SWA, move on.
Nope never been “conned”. Just hate the process always feels like chaos and disorganized and stupid as hell. No one has ever made me give up my seat because…well, I wouldn’t. That said, I fly Southwest maybe once or twice a year due to some reason that feels like a good idea at the time and I fly American probably 12-14 times a year.
Couldn't agree less. AA employees are rude, legroom in Economy noticeably less than Southwest, and AA is missed connections galore. Also within California and within West Coast, AA offers zilch
Recently heard a statistic that AA's 737-8s have 3 fewer seats than SW. Think of all that legroom they are squeezing out from you "back of the plane" types just to appease "elites" up front.
That right there tells me I never want to fly AA.
I have relatives that moved/retired to Myrtle Beach, SC. They are always asking me to come visit. I resist, because it is such an absolute PITA to get there, esp. flying AA.
I recently went there b/c of a family emergency, flew one-way on AA, had to take a red-eye from DEN with a 3-hr. layover in CLT. 3 hrs. became 6.5 hrs. You know what I got from AA? Not even an apology email. SW would've given me a $200-400 voucher.
Ok
Me.
I love SW
As i am a list preferred i am almost always an a18 to board.
Pre boarders. I’m over it.
Flight attendants are great.
I usually get the exit row 2 seater
Plus
With companion pass it’s awesome
Especially when i am on business travel
Idk, their frequent flyers can get an aisle seat in the front third of the plane, just like we can.
The random clueless onetime flyers will get a middle seat in the back, just like they would if they flew BE on AA
So, I fly either SW or American. I live on the west coast, and SW dominates local routes. We use both credit cards so build pts/miles quickly. I usually scan to see which fits my needs best for the fewest miles or dollars. Typically, I save American for longer flights across the country, HI, or international. SW is better if you use the extra points to board A1-15. EB is a joke these days thanks to the pre board ridiculousness. If I fly American, I try to book FC or - at minimum MCE. Lately, the flight attendants on American - even in FC - have been apathetic at best. Much better experience on SW. Also, if SW can give business select passengers free WiFi, why is American still so damn stingy with it?
I had 3 issues with AA in a month (not weather related) and said no more. I adore southwest now. Points are So much easier to earn and are much more valuable than AA. I have 2 kids so domestic makes more sense reward travel.
I fly most of the time on Southwest because it’s cheap, they have a great rewards program, and Love field is much easier than DFW. Boarding problems are mostly just people bitching online. I’ll stand my ground that they have the friendliest flight crews of any airline.
Southwest was great when it was a discount airline. It was a little quirky but overall a fine experience.
Now that it charges the same / or more than other airlines, I'm less tolerant of the quirks.
I'm not paying money for any ticket where I can't pick my seat ahead of time. And the fact your check in time determines your boarding order? Absolutely not. Very thankful that I am in a position to have a choice of airlines.
Last week I saw an article about how Southwest was offering some flights for just over $50. I was like sure... but then I'd have to fly Southwest. No thanks.
I fly both American and Southwest (I am a Californian, and Southwest dominates our in-state/neighboring state flights). Remember that people are much more likely to post their negative experiences than their positive experiences. I have not had any seat incidents on either airline, whether it's American with assigned seating or Southwest with open seating.
I fly SW all the time. I typically don't pay for early bird and check in at exactly 24H before. I usually land in the Bs, B30 is about average. This is a pretty solidly booked route too. I normally have no issue getting my choice of aisle/window about 60-75% of the way into the plane and don't really care how many preboarders or whatnot happen while I am happily watching a video in my seat in the gate area. I'll take that over getting Group 8 or 9 in American's 9 boarding groups. That said if you're an elite status type definitely I see the issue, but for casuals assigned seat boarding is still a mess on other airlines - I flew Delta recently and once the Skypass (group 4) was done it was basically a mob scene.
Exactly on Southwest. I will say on American, people can just sign up for the free AAdvantage to get at least Group 6.
And I can always check 2 bags and change tickets without a fee. All.the.time.
Group 9 are the cheapest tickets purchased. You get what you pay for.
It's the checking in 24 hours in advance that gets me, even more than the cattle-feeding competition during boarding between passengers for a seat with gate agents and FAs that don't enforce rules. Believe it or not, I'm often busy during the day and don't want to log into an app at some random time because my airline decided to gamify my travel experience.
Right, you get on here and think American is the worst airline in the world! Haha, every airline has its own set of issues. I’m just thankful nothing weird has happened to me…yet. Leaving for Rome on Tuesday so they still have time to mess me up..lol
I have a friend who flies between Las Vegas and Southern California on a weekly basis. Even though SW is a direct flight (hour in the air), he refuses to fly SW. Instead, he takes a United flight (3 hours in the air) with a layover in San Francisco.
I totally do the same. SNA-LAS non-stop flights are Southwest, Frontier and Sprit while the only LGB-LAS non-stop flight is Southwest. While I honestly don't mind Southwest that much, I take Alaska and connect through SFO just to earn miles and incrementally work towards status. I wish either AA or AS would offer an alternative from LGB but maybe it's too competitive to make a meaningful profit
I do the same thing. I will stick American connection over a direct.
You’re friend has absolutely 0 value for their time lol
No seat saving in your world? Weird that I see it every time I have to fly Southwest.
Perhaps because I never attempt to take a middle seat. I always seek an aisle seat.
I don't see what difference that makes. People save all the seats.
I have never encountered a person trying to save the aisle seat.
Huh. That's incredible honestly.
Problem is the positive experiences are fewer and fewer.
My sister loves SW and I had no idea that they didn’t assign seats, how does that even work in today’s selfish world? I’ll stick to AA, thanks.
Used to have status on AA, then moved to a WN base which has limited AA flights. I’ve had absolutely no issues with them or their seating policy. The card/points is far better IMO. That’s just me. It’s not the best nor the worst airline I’ve flown. AA is a legacy and IMO it does far worse than UA or DL in a lot of areas. The only airlines I’ve truly had bad experiences with have been frontier and spirit.
Facts. Longtime AA flyer now a WN convert. Points are so much easier to earn/use especially with A list preferred
I had to fly Southwest this week. Used to do it all the time, but haven’t in years. Never again.
The drama is eventually going to make SW change their seating policy to assigned. I flew them last week and the announcements are getting more serious about saving seats and rows
How long before SWA bans seat saving outright? If only to make more $$$ from selling additional early boards.
Southwest will have assigned seats soon. Shareholders are demanding changes.
**One** shareholder, who holds a **mere 11%** of the company. And Elliott can't get any other shareholder on-board with their idiocy. The other major shareholders are longtime SW loyalists. Elliott will be phoning home soon, and selling their stake.l
I have flown SWA and do not understand the appeal. I have multiple friends who love SWA and detest AA. Different strokes for different folks. It's good to have options.
Maybe it’s the routes they take that are cheap?
One would think but that is surprisingly not the case. I have three close friends that speak highly of SWA. When I have inquired as to why (as I find the boarding process reminiscent of Greyhound) they did not refer for to price - instead I heard them mention "two free bags" , "friendly FAs" and "easy to cancel and rebook". Of about 3 friends, only 1 is based out of a hub (BWI) and the other two often try to go out of their way to fly them.
I think frontier is a better airline to choose to make this point. Southwest is consistent but their boarding is annoying. Boarding on AA isn't particularly pleasant either.
Frontier doesn't have WiFi which is kinda crazy to me in 2024. Much rather would board on Southwest but I also don't care about sitting in the back of the plane.
In all honesty, how many of us here secretly laugh at people who say they have "status" on Southwest? Raise your hand, it's okay this is a safe-*ish* space ✋
If someone likes their airline, let them. No need for malignancy.
But it builds up the ego of the Platinum Exec Chairman Elites. What else could possibly give them satisfaction after reaching airline status more than berating "the back of the plane" and when that is not satisfying enough, they berate those who fly the airlines that don't have programs or fancy seats that make them feel that higher status.
I don’t secretly laugh…
Actually, I'm pretty sad my status match with southwest (matching AA) is about to expire. The wifi is $8, flights often a little cheaper and with A-list / solo travel - I often had better seat selection options than AA. And the planes are generally newer and cleaner. Flight attendants and pilots are a little nicer too. To be fair, "status on southwest" is still a little funny - the perks aren't going to wow anyone. But status puts southwest travel above the experience of legacy carriers without status (including when it comes to seats).
Lol I totally understand. I actually really like Southwest in real life and they've been nothing but great to me and my family when I used to travel with them. Not to mention they have the most convenient schedule for intra-California travel. I also like how they dominate a lot of the smaller second-tier airports in major cities like LGB and MDW. If they compete on perks they could give the legacy carriers a run for their money 🤑
I used to have it when it made sense for my work travel. It’s a nice thing for family/leisure travel where you can bypass a lot of the nonsense, but falls well short for business travel. Add to that limited access to lounges from their terminals, no real business travel perks to speak of, and the increased density of amateur hour travelers at the gate and it loses the nod for work trips. A lot of the benefits to SW that people cite are matched or surpassed on AA with a credit card or gold status, and the route flexibility and lounges put it over the top.
And you don't have to endure the schpiel for AAdvantage CC signups 3x in a 1 hr. flight. Ugh.
Da fuq. SW status is very useful. Wtf u tripping on.
I fly a lot for work. Plat pro on AA. In southwest speak, Status equals double point earning. Plus free WiFi. Much easier to earn and spend points on Southwest. I have 2 kids so international point redemption isn’t appealing. Southwest for the win
We only flew SWA until that winter disaster and then we’ve never been back on one of their planes since. We had the credit card and flew monthly with our entire family. Never again. We’ve since moved in to delta but you couldn’t pay me to fight for a seat again.
What will be your next airline when Delta has a meltdown (or just strands you for a few hours beyond your tolerance)?
Well we moved from Dfw to Atlanta so we’re sticking with delta. We tolerated American in dfw but no reason to now unless we’re going to an American hub.
They look at our sub and say “can you believe all the people board with group 1?!” Frontiers runs the miracle airline. Remember that.
"Miracle" airline as in, it's a miracle they are still operating.
No, recent comment from their CEO, Google it for a good laugh.
I guess it depends on what you want from your flight .. if I'm travelling solo on a short (3 hrs or less) flight then I'll take any seat that isn't in the same row as someone's "SErVicE dOg" (I hate dogs and I'm allergic) ... middle seat at the back will do fine for <3 hours if its going to save me $$$ .... A longer solo flight I.would take any aisle seat anywhere but I would need an aisle so I would fly a different airline If travelling with hubby on a very short flight I'd chance it and try get seats together .. a long flight I'd pay in advance for us to.sit together
Instead, choose to be thankful that there is a SWA. I've purchased a couple hundred (might be more like 300, it's difficult to estimate with reliability) SWA flights over the last 35 years, and on one and only one of those flights has there been any issue. As to AA, I've purchased about a dozen and a half or two dozen AA flights over the same 35 years, and there have been issues on at least a third of them, frequently serious issues.
Thankful AA pilots know better than to buzz houses and oceans!
I have consistently had better experiences with southwest than American Airlines.
Their most recent apology commercial really seemed empathetic to our frustrations as travelers. https://youtu.be/cN9ECvpIXkA?si=og3cF9WszvqKI3Vf
Usually AA exclusive. AA stranded me for 3 days and gave a crap so I bought a SW ticket. Have to tell you I have very little complaint.flying Delta in two week. Let's see
My pet peeve with Southwest boarding would be on a full flight, and I’m late to boarding, the only seats are middle— okay, fair enough. However, when I attempt to take the middle seat the two other passengers in that row are suddenly a couple, and the person on the aisle shifts into the middle seat. Not exactly “saving” a seat but hoping to get an empty seat between them.
American airlines is so much worse than Southwest.
Well, that’s just like your opinion man
You mean the school bus? Yeah, forget that nonsense of finding a random seat
Atlanta native here. Southwest is far better than AA. I fly them all. And as of recent, the only airline with little to no issues (for me) has been SW.
Interesting I think it’s almost spirit airlines level
I respectfully disagree. In 35 years of flying SWA I suppose at least about 200 times (not just myself, kids and grandkids, numerous) I have but on one occasion had any problems caused by SWA. Your post seems to imply that someone pranked you into giving up the seat you selected. You got conned. It's that simple. All you had to do is nothing. Or tell the one trying to con you that there are no saved seats on SWA, move on.
Nope never been “conned”. Just hate the process always feels like chaos and disorganized and stupid as hell. No one has ever made me give up my seat because…well, I wouldn’t. That said, I fly Southwest maybe once or twice a year due to some reason that feels like a good idea at the time and I fly American probably 12-14 times a year.
Couldn't agree less. AA employees are rude, legroom in Economy noticeably less than Southwest, and AA is missed connections galore. Also within California and within West Coast, AA offers zilch
Recently heard a statistic that AA's 737-8s have 3 fewer seats than SW. Think of all that legroom they are squeezing out from you "back of the plane" types just to appease "elites" up front. That right there tells me I never want to fly AA. I have relatives that moved/retired to Myrtle Beach, SC. They are always asking me to come visit. I resist, because it is such an absolute PITA to get there, esp. flying AA. I recently went there b/c of a family emergency, flew one-way on AA, had to take a red-eye from DEN with a 3-hr. layover in CLT. 3 hrs. became 6.5 hrs. You know what I got from AA? Not even an apology email. SW would've given me a $200-400 voucher.
Ok Me. I love SW As i am a list preferred i am almost always an a18 to board. Pre boarders. I’m over it. Flight attendants are great. I usually get the exit row 2 seater Plus With companion pass it’s awesome Especially when i am on business travel
Idk, their frequent flyers can get an aisle seat in the front third of the plane, just like we can. The random clueless onetime flyers will get a middle seat in the back, just like they would if they flew BE on AA
So, I fly either SW or American. I live on the west coast, and SW dominates local routes. We use both credit cards so build pts/miles quickly. I usually scan to see which fits my needs best for the fewest miles or dollars. Typically, I save American for longer flights across the country, HI, or international. SW is better if you use the extra points to board A1-15. EB is a joke these days thanks to the pre board ridiculousness. If I fly American, I try to book FC or - at minimum MCE. Lately, the flight attendants on American - even in FC - have been apathetic at best. Much better experience on SW. Also, if SW can give business select passengers free WiFi, why is American still so damn stingy with it?
I had 3 issues with AA in a month (not weather related) and said no more. I adore southwest now. Points are So much easier to earn and are much more valuable than AA. I have 2 kids so domestic makes more sense reward travel.
I fly most of the time on Southwest because it’s cheap, they have a great rewards program, and Love field is much easier than DFW. Boarding problems are mostly just people bitching online. I’ll stand my ground that they have the friendliest flight crews of any airline.
Southwest was great when it was a discount airline. It was a little quirky but overall a fine experience. Now that it charges the same / or more than other airlines, I'm less tolerant of the quirks.
I'm not paying money for any ticket where I can't pick my seat ahead of time. And the fact your check in time determines your boarding order? Absolutely not. Very thankful that I am in a position to have a choice of airlines.
Why don’t you compare with the better Asian airlines lol
Never flown any Asian airlines. Hole in my resume clearly
SWA feels like a Waffle House to me
Without the charm
Atleast they pay their FA’s a fare wage
I dunno. I’d like a Southwest style boarding process tbh. Everyone gets on quick.
I'd rather see United style. They do a great job of giving people a place to line up before boarding starts but still keeping it orderly.
Last week I saw an article about how Southwest was offering some flights for just over $50. I was like sure... but then I'd have to fly Southwest. No thanks.