Southwest vs Jet Blue

[bmarkelon]

I am a devoted Southwest flyer, just sort of happened since I am not the best flyer and had great experiences with them. I have only flown SW. Now it's time to book our airfare for our August trip and the times are just not ideal. Either 6:15 AM or later afternoon. I took a look at Jet Blue and they have our favorite flight time available, later morning.
So I just want to hear any feedback really. I have already heard good things just throwing it on here to see what you all have to add. I know it's kind of just a weird thing but like I said flying kind of freaks me out. If it weren't for the distraction of our 3 little ones during the flight I would be a nervous wreck.

Thanks!!:wave:

 

[SobchakSecurity]

I like JetBlue, and your kids can just watch tv the whole flight down.

I liked Southwest too, but haven't flown them in years. I got tired of what I called the cattle stampede when they didn't have reserved seats.

Are you flying out of Bradley or New York?

 

[Rob562]

I was a devout Southwest traveler too, until my first trip on Jetblue. Since then, Southwest dropped to my #2 position. I'll fly them, but Jetblue gets my first look unless there's an unbeatable sale on Southwest.

In fact, in the past 10 years, I think all of my flying has been strictly on those two airlines except for one jaunt to Charlottesville, VA where I had to fly US Airways.

-Rob

 

[mickeysshoes]

We have in the past also used SW. 2 trips ago I went with JetBlue beacuse the price was better and it was out of the closer airport. (30 minute drive instead of 90 minute drive). We really love the plane and the TV at the seats but thats about it. Our flight was delayed over 5 hours and come to find out this is a regluar delay for this flight. Happens weekely. We were given printed materials on the flight delay policies...5 hours delay FREE ONE WAY TICKET per person.... Get to disney 5 hours late..we got over it....Trip home flight was again delayed over 2 hours..UGH Never had any delays with SW. Get home to claim our 4 one way free tickets and was told that the materail we were given was out of date and it was no longer the policy and were only offered $50 credit each. I WENT OFF...I got my $400 (total) credit and applied it towards or next set of tickets to Disney the following year. So long story short fly once full price and second time half price and will not go back to jetblue..will go back to SW for this coming up trip in December and will drive the 90 minutes and will get up at the crack of dawn for a 7 am flight. Will not book and worry about delays anymore. OH another thing i dislike about Jetblue is once the trip was booked they were always changing our departure times ....both coming and going. Never messed with our plans but still a pain in having to keep track of new time.

 

[bmarkelon]

Hmm, a yay and a nay. Thank you both for the feedback, i appreciate it. I have family that love Jet Blue. But if the flight times changing might bug me and I definitely don't want to worry about delays! We have about a month to mull this over before we book. Maybe I will book the Jet Blue flight down and then come home on SW. They are both priced around the same so that is not helping us decide either!

 

[El Guapo]

Love Jetblue

We live in Toronto and always fly to Florida on Jetblue. We have checked prices and times and Jetblue always works out best. And I have to say the service has been amazing. On our last trip (a few months ago) both flights left EARLY (everyone was on board so we left the gate 5 mins before departure time). The staff are friendly, planes are comfy...we have been delayed a couple of times but that can happen with any airline. We have not found it to be more frequent with Jetblue.

 

[The Mom]

I had a less than wonderful experience with Jet Blue cancelling a flight due to afternoon thunderstorms (a real possibility in August) or so they said. This was on a Sunday. The first flight they could get me on was on Tuesday!

We cancelled our tickets (they would not assist us with booking with another airline) and flew home on another carrier the next morning - costing a lot more, but less than hotels and meals would have been, plus missed work.

We had just gotten off of a transatlantic flight and were flying Jet Blue home from NYC. Jet Blue said they had emailed us with the cancellation - while we were in the air.

 

[bmarkelon]

Oh boy, two positive reviews and two negative reviews. Keep them coming! I have only had great experience with SW which is a huge deal to me traveling with 3 little ones.

 

[mickeysshoes]

Oh boy, two positive reviews and two negative reviews. Keep them coming! I have only had great experience with SW which is a huge deal to me traveling with 3 little ones.

Same here and now kick myself for even bring JetBlue into my world.

 

[CaptainShortty]

I'm not a fan of flying either and I fly JetBlue whenever possible. As people have said, having the TVs makes the trip go much faster and is a great distraction for all the little kids. I'm also a big fan of Southwest but try for JetBlue unless the price difference is really big.

 

[wdwmagic]

On a pure flight experience basis, Jet Blue gets my vote. Assigned seat number, setback live TV, and better snacks.

 

[bmarkelon]

The tvs could be a plus for the kiddos, they would definitely think that was a fancy luxury. I am going to keep discussing this with the DH and see what he thinks. All the feedback is helpful. I could cross my fingers for a positive Jet Blue experience. It will definitely be tough for me if we decide to go Blue. I will keep you guys posted on what we decide. I know that this must sound a little nutty to some people.

 

[mickeysshoes]

The tvs could be a plus for the kiddos, they would definitely think that was a fancy luxury. I am going to keep discussing this with the DH and see what he thinks. All the feedback is helpful. I could cross my fingers for a positive Jet Blue experience. It will definitely be tough for me if we decide to go Blue. I will keep you guys posted on what we decide. I know that this must sound a little nutty to some people.

Not nutty at all. Its your hard erned money your spending and lets not forgot about your time. Some food for thought. Do you travel with a laptop or tablet of any kind??? If so that could take the place of the TV's on Blue. If you decided to go with Blue then I would make sure to have headphones for each of the kids (and you and DH) as everyone has a TV and can watch what they want and Blue will charge you $2 a set.

 

[bmarkelon]

Not nutty at all. Its your hard erned money your spending and lets not forgot about your time. Some food for thought. Do you travel with a laptop or tablet of any kind??? If so that could take the place of the TV's on Blue. If you decided to go with Blue then I would make sure to have headphones for each of the kids (and you and DH) as everyone has a TV and can watch what they want and Blue will charge you $2 a set.

Good to know! We travel well-prepared for the kids, iPhones, ipad, DVD players....whatever will distract them. This is definitely going to be a tou choice to make. We did an early flight once and did not like how exhausted we started our trip. But we also like to get down there and settled with time for a nice dinner out. So this is really just a time issue. In the past we have changed our dates due to flight schedule pickiness. We don't really have that option on this one. I am kind of liking the fly down Blue fly home SW idea, this way I get a taste of Jet Blue without committing fully.

 

[Donald96]

I've been on SW and Jet Blue, and have only had great expierences with each. If I had to pick I must pick Jet Blue though, TVs are a definite bonus and snacks are better. So all in all if Jet Blue has better times then I would take it, you could still take SW back but I've always found it cheaper to book on one airline. Hope I helped

 

[bmarkelon]

I've been on SW and Jet Blue, and have only had great expierences with each. If I had to pick I must pick Jet Blue though, TVs are a definite bonus and snacks are better. So all in all if Jet Blue has better times then I would take it, you could still take SW back but I've always found it cheaper to book on one airline. Hope I helped

Thanks!! :wave: welcome to the boards!! That definitely helps, better snacks is a plus for me.

 

[bmarkelon]

And the chosen one is....

So, we booked our airfare this morning since we got our tax refund back. And due to times and the lower rates being bought on Jet Blue we are now gaining another day to our trip! We ended up booking with Southwest that Saturday instead. Woohoo! It actually saved us almost 500 bucks. A win win situation for us all. Maybe it will be Jet Blue next year. Thanks again everyone for all of the helpful feedback. Now I am counting down to the 15th to start booking our meals!

 

[captainkidd]

I think you made a good choice. I'll say this - JetBlue's seats are a bit more comfortable, and the TV's are a very nice plus, but I can't stand their change of flight fees and policies, and their unwillingness to work with customers. Southwest, I'm not a fan of their boarding procedure, but they are much easier to work with when it comes to making changes. JetBlue just sticks that vacuum deeper and deeper into your wallet every chance they get. What should be a company trying to help you as a thank you for your business is a company that thrives on the situation when you need their help for them to get more money from you.

 

[Silver Figment]

I'd go with Jetblue. That's just an opinion. I haven't flown with Southwest in years.

 

[Donald96]

So, we booked our airfare this morning since we got our tax refund back. And due to times and the lower rates being bought on Jet Blue we are now gaining another day to our trip! We ended up booking with Southwest that Saturday instead. Woohoo! It actually saved us almost 500 bucks. A win win situation for us all. Maybe it will be Jet Blue next year. Thanks again everyone for all of the helpful feedback. Now I am counting down to the 15th to start booking our meals!

Yay! Hope you have an awesome trip!!!!!!!!! :sohappy: