Southwest are easily the best airline in America. Their fare structure is open and straightforward, if you change your flight you pay full fare. Their cheap tickets are cheeeeeeep. Their full fare tickets are cheep, and once you have full fare you turn and if there is room on the plane they let you on - its that simple. I can tell you within 10% the price of a Southwest full fare ticket from anywhere to anywhere at anytime, they don't f^%K with it like the others. Other majors have to match their prices in the same market out here in the west and they must hate it. If Southwest don't fly in that market the majors will rip you off something rotten (dollars per mile).
The only problem with Southwest is they don't interline baggage - and they don't fly to Colorado. That's because the airports are too expensive there. Everything else is superior, and I don't care about not getting a seat allocated on their short sectors. Their frequent flier plan is the best in the world. It's a delight to fly with FA's who try to make you laugh and wear a smile.
America West are the worst airline in America. Bad. Bad. Bad. Appaling, I've flown more reliable airlines in the developing world. I'll fly America West only if they are the only non-stop service. A bit like I only fly our favourite carrier across the Atlantic if they are the only non-stop service.
And now the airlines go cap in hand to the Federal Government for a bail out because of their ridiculous business plans. Not even the insurance companies had the nerve to do that! Lopez is right on the money.
[ 15 November 2001: Message edited by: slim_slag ]