TRANS Help- Delta or Southwest ?

[briches]

I am looking at flying across country to visit family in New Mexico. I haven’t flown since 2018. I am looking at either Southwest or Delta.
Do you have a preference for one over the other?

Looks like Southwest ($478) is a little cheaper but Delta ($566) you get to pick your seats. This is important as someone is traveling with me. Neither of these fares are refundable but do have flight credit if cancelled. Both include a carry on (which is all I plan on).

Any tips or advice? Thanks!

(Edited - I am leaning on Delta)

 

[WildDaisy]

I always go with Delta over SW. The number of possible flights between hubs, safety vs SW, on time status, etc. Delta is always ranked at the top for best airlines, Southwest always near the bottom.

 

[dioptase]

After having been kicked off an oversold Southwest flight (decades ago, admittedly), NEVER AGAIN.

Delta isn't our favorite air carrier, but we have flown it from time to time. No major problems. Just not our favorite in terms of which cities we need to go to, trying to avoid connecting flights, or if not possible, long layovers.

 

[Capt. Eddie]

I commute by plane every three weeks, 90% of the time on Southwest. They've been by far the most reliable for me since the plandemic.

 

[briches]

After having been kicked off an oversold Southwest flight (decades ago, admittedly), NEVER AGAIN.

Delta isn't our favorite air carrier, but we have flown it from time to time. No major problems. Just not our favorite in terms of which cities we need to go to, trying to avoid connecting flights, or if not possible, long layovers.

Which airline do you prefer?

 

[Capt. Eddie]

If you do end up going Southwest spend the Xtra $20 for early bird check in. Well worth it to be in Group A.

 

[briches]

If you do end up going Southwest spend the Xtra $20 for early bird check in. Well worth it to be in Group A.

Would that allow us to pick seats together? The price I mentioned above includes the early bird check in as I thought that could be worth it.

 

[Texican]

Did fly with Southwest, but the cattle plane became unbearable and switched to Delta and the service was great with no problems.

Texican....

 

[1911user]

Would that allow us to pick seats together? The price I mentioned above includes the early bird check in as I thought that could be worth it.

No, there is no option allowing you to pick seats on Southwest. Early bird just gets you on the plane earlier than some of the other people. Once you step onto the plane, you find an open seat you like, stow your carry-on, then sit down.

I haven't flown for almost 8 years, but I normally flew southwest. There was an option called business select that was even better than early bird. They only sold 15 of the business select per flight and they were the first of the normal passengers to board. After that was Group A, then Group B, then Group C with about 50 people per group boarding.

Edit: corrected business something to business select

 

[briches]

No, there is no option allowing you to pick seats on Southwest. Early bird just gets you on the plane earlier than some of the other people. Once you step onto the plane, you find an open seat you like, stow your carry-on, then sit down.

I haven't flown for almost 8 years now, but I normally flew southwest. There was an option called business something that was even better than early bird. They only sold 15 of the business something per flight and they were the first of the normal passengers to board. After that was Group A, then Group B, then Group C with about 50 people per group boarding.

Okay. This confirms Delta will be the option for me. It is important we sit together. Also, the flight time works a little better as well.

Thanks.

 

[Macgyver]

Unfortunately we pretty much need to use Newark and Philly airports.

Newark is a major united hub and Philly is American. Wife has some ridiculous platinum level with united so we almost always go with them. American is better imo and Philly airport is much easier to deal with.

Only every done one frontier flight from a little airport near me to Myrtle Beach. Fine being a short flight.

 

[et2]

I am looking at flying across country to visit family in New Mexico. I haven’t flown since 2018. I am looking at either Southwest or Delta.
Do you have a preference for one over the other?

Looks like Southwest ($478) is a little cheaper but Delta ($566) you get to pick your seats. This is important as someone is traveling with me. Neither of these fares are refundable but do have flight credit if cancelled. Both include a carry on (which is all I plan on).

Any tips or advice? Thanks!

(Edited - I am leaning on Delta)

From where? A delta hub? Direct vs not? The Delta comfort seats if the plane has 3 seats across. There’s usually the emergency exit door over the wing. 2 seats instead of 3 . Nobody but a stewardess sitting in a fold up seat only during takeoff and landing. Huge leg room. Beats first class if you can get those

Over the years we’ve chosen Delta for our flights. Hated the rest with maybe United as the exception.

 

[Capt. Eddie]

Okay. This confirms Delta will be the option for me. It is important we sit together. Also, the flight time works a little better as well.

Thanks.

How many seats do you need together? If you're in A or the first half of B (1-30), you are mathematically guaranteed two seats together ( probably even 3 together) just by the number of people boarded at that point and the number of seats on a Southwest configured 737.

 

[Capt. Eddie]

Southwest is all 737s also, no commuter jets.

 

[Betty_Rose]

I commute by plane every three weeks, 90% of the time on Southwest. They've been by far the most reliable for me since the plandemic.

Southwest is fantastic. I am absolutely committed to them for so many reasons.

And they're much more reliable than the "heritage" airlines.

 

[briches]

How many seats do you need together? If you're in A or the first half of B (1-30), you are mathematically guaranteed two seats together ( probably even 3 together) just by the number of people boarded at that point and the number of seats on a Southwest configured 737.

2 together

 

[AlfaMan]

I would ALWAYS fly a US flag carrier. Delta is a US flag carrier, Southwest is not.

Delta does their own maintenance with a worldwide network of DELTA jet bases world wide. Maintenance follows and adheres to FAA standards, not ICAO standards (the "rest of the world" standard, it's not as strict).

Southwest contracts their maintenance out to the lowest bidder. Kind of like taking a Ferrari to Jiffy Lube for an oil change. They use US companies and overseas companies-like A&P shops in places like Jamaica and Trinidad. Have a friend who is an A&P mechanic with many years of experience. Southwest is widely known for "junior varsity" level maintenance operations. I do NOT trust the maintenance done on their planes.

When I fly for business and I get a choice for the flight out of DC , it's always Delta and never Southwest. If it's Southwest or nothing, then I drive.

Delta is an airline.

Southwest is an airborne Greyhound bus line.

 

[dawgofwar10]

Alaska Air, just get the seats near the emergency door and fly with parachutes.

 

[rafter]

My company just flies us Southwest. I have flown 3x in the last 6 months with them and no issues except on one flight when it was snowing and the crew was late getting there.

Sometimes you even get a head flight attendant that should be doing standup. That is a plus

 

[dioptase]

Which airline do you prefer?

For where we are flying from, and going to, we generally fly American. Sometimes we will fly Alaska, or else Delta as a 3rd choice. United is in 4th place because it is so danged $$$$ (plus again, we are trying to do non-stop trips if possible, and minimize layovers if we do have to make 1 stop... it's all about which cities are major hubs for which airlines).

 

[Macgyver]

Southwest is an airborne Greyhound bus line.

That's Spirit.

 

[patriotgal]

Delta. Saw enough male Karen's on Southwest. Picking your seats is a priceless option. Have flown Delta for all flights except recent Florida one. Only went SW because it was nonstop and elderly family members did not need the extra stress. Then the stupid male Karen stewards made us all want to push them out windows. We only got seats together because of one determined lead family member.

 

[KittyKatChic]

I prefer Delta when I get to choose.

 

[CTFIREBATTCHIEF]

I flew southwest when I was younger, i didn't mind the cattle call back then. Now I like my seats where I want them, which is usually an exit row. We've flown delta for years and like it. hey they have hiccups too, but overall the experience is good. We have one of their credit cards so free checked baggage and we earn miles

 

[WalknTrot]

Hands down - Delta. Won't go near the others.

 

[Repairman-Jack]

Pre-covid I did a fair amount of domestic and international travel for work and vacations.

Then Southwest was my go to for domestic flights (Houston, Vegas, couple cities in FL) were most common, I rarely had an issue, they never lost my luggage. For business they usually hit the threshold for least expensive fair and we were permitted to use corp credit card to upgrade boarding.

Also used them for personal flights and would always pay for the pre-boarding. The crews were always polite and fun especially on the Vegas and Orlando trips.

Post Covid - I've flown once or twice (Allegiant and Southwest).

I'd lean towards Southwest.

 

[lisa]

It's been a couple years but I've always liked southwest, flew into N.M. many times using them.

 

[MMWW]

I like Delta better than the others.

 

[cwr]

lol I’ve known a few Delta mechanics go with Delta.

 

[briches]

I ended up booking with Delta. Seat selection was important.
I appreciate all the input.

 

[Delta]

I appreciate all the nice things said about Delta--oh, your talking about the airline? Never mind.

 

[Countrymouse]

DELTA--all the way.

(ready when you are....)