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Comment by zrail | Hacker News Reader

Southwest, as far as I can tell, doesn't change rates once they've published. Three rate tiers, optional early check-in to get a better boarding order position, and free baggage.

The most striking difference is that, in general, the flight attendants are happy. They smile. They joke around. Sometimes they sing songs. I was on a flight a few months ago where the entire plane played a game because it was someone's birthday.

If Southwest flies anywhere close to where I'm going, I make a point to fly with them. Even if they're slightly more expensive, the drastically less toxic experience makes up for it.

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As a parent, I fly Southwest so that I can take advantage of the two free checked-in bags you get per ticket. Not having to wrestle several overfull bags of clothes on and off of the plane makes Southwest a great bargain for my piece of mind.

If each kid has a ticket, you can check a bag under their name. Why do you need 2 bags?

As in, if they had to pay to check bags, they would bring them all as carry on, where with southwest they can check them for free and not deal with. I'm not paying to check bags either.

I'd guess they're comparing against airlines that charge for all checked bags starting from the first one, rather than airlines that give you one for free.

That and the fact that they do family preboarding which really makes everyone happier (no screaming crazy kids in the lobby) and probably increases boarding throughput (no backup while moms wrestle carseats into window seats)

You should never have to pay for checked bags: just gate check the bags instead.

This new checked bag pricing has made the (already crowded) overhead compartments even more crowded. If your flight is full, or nearly so, there will not be enough overhead space for the carry-ons and the flight attendants and gate agents will start gate checking bags. Even if there is space, it may be toward the back of the plane, possibly behind one's seat.

This can be a big inconvenience for people who want to carry-on. If your carry-on is several rows behind you, you have to wait for the entire cabin to deplane before you can go back and get your bags. If you're on a tight layover, this can be seriously problematic.

As a result of this madness, the gate agents are always making announcements that they would like to gate check your bags (for free, of course).

Frontier: Checked baggage $25 web / $30 at airport. Carry on $30 web / $35 at airport. Gate check $50. Basically you're punished for gate checking, rather than committing in advance to either a carry on or checking before security. And it means no matter what you're paying for anything other than a personal item.

The Frontier gate check fee seems to only apply to items that are not eligible to be carry-on. It would not make sense to charge to gate check a carry-on item (as you are often required to do when the overhead bins are full).

http://www.flyfrontier.com/travel-information/baggage/checke...

"Gate Check Fee - any bag brought to the departure gate that exceeds the carry-on dimensions"

This is incorrect. WNCO has a big revenue management department, meaning they change pricing based on supply and demand. I believe they use PROS, but I can't recall 100%.

I'm not 100% sure it is "legal", but I had the pleasure of flying on southwest with them half-singing half-joking throughout the mandatory safety stuff.. it was a pretty hilarious change of pace. Unfortunately, Southwest, though fairly cheap for where I go, has 2 stops minimum no matter what where as everywhere else can make it 1 stop

Had a similar experience on Southwest when flying from Phoenix to Vegas.

I initially cringed as the attendant started talking on the the mic and making a joke, as any world weary traveler probably would. I soon found myself laughing as the rest of the crew joined in with mimes and singing and call backs. It was definitely one of the best flight experiences I've ever had.

My most fun safety announcement was on Alaska Air when the flight steward came on an said something like "This is a very exciting flight, as it's the very first flight for our two pilots." (Everyone starts getting nervous at this point.) "Captain John and Captain Jane, please stand up and wave to your passengers" at which point two (unaccompanied, perhaps) kids stand up with huge grins and wave to the other passengers.

It was a good way to get the attention of everyone before we could all go back to ignoring the rest of the safety instructions.

"half-singing half-joking throughout the mandatory safety stuff."

I've taken to exclaiming "Oooh!" when they show us how to buckle our seat belts.

They definitely change prices based on time. I've seen hikes around the 21 / 14 / 7-day marks from a flight, as well as longer-term changes for flights around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I too very much enjoy Southwest. Seems like people either love them or hate them (mostly because a lot of people want assured seat locations rather than the "bus model" Southwest utilises).

Additionally, they have the best leg room of any economy class that I've ever experienced.

SW is great for all the reasons mentioned, but Jet Blue's leg room is amazing.

I'll only fly either of those two airlines if I have a choice.

Enjoy your JetBlue legroom while it lasts!

http://www.wsj.com/articles/jetblue-to-add-bag-fees-reduce-l...

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