SouthWest start ATL (5 cities) Feb 12, 2012 (Atlanta: sales, credit card, price)

[roxyrn]

We lived very close to the White Plains airport and there are many reasons why my husband drove at 4:30 am every Monday to get a flight out of LGA. The Westchester airport is a miserable place- sometimes no parking available, when you get through the huge security lines, there is no food or drink (maybe vending machines) in the waiting area that soon fills up so you have no place to sit. You have to walk outside to the stairs of the plane (usually a smaller one so that you have to check your bag). And there are very few options if you miss a flight. You end up on a bus to JFK. And, it is the very first of the NY airports to close in bad weather. LGA, has improved lately- some good food choices, including a food-mart with decent, even good things, as well as iPads to use at the gate. Always parking albeit expensive. And I have always had a place to sit.

I will admit that I have never flown SW, but I really like being able to pick my window seat in advance.
Would rather have Jet Blue....

[PKCorey]

Yea, they don't have too many options for food from what I've seen but then again, I never eat the airport.One of the mornings that I flew back, we forced to wait on the taxiway for a hour and change due to congestion at the area airports but we still made to Atlanta in good time.

I've done Delta and Airtran. Delta commuter jets force you to go outside but Airtran uses the jetway.

I like being able to get off the plane and outside in under 5 mins, if that. Plus, I save on toll over RFK bridge back into the Bronx so win win for me.

[Mutiny77]

One thing is for sure: there is certainly such a thing called the "Southwest effect." Earlier this week, I was looking for a decently-priced roundtrip flight to the DC area to attend the MLK Memorial dedication (we know how Irene altered those plans, but anyway). I think the cheapest thing I found flying out of Atlanta was around $306 with one stop. However, United was offering a direct roundtrip flight to Dulles flying out of GSP (Greenville-Spartanburg Int'l) for $163. The difference? GSP landed Southwest just last year.

Even if it results in just a temporary lowering of prices, that will be a VERY welcome thing here in Atlanta.

[johnatl]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

One thing is for sure: there is certainly such a thing called the "Southwest effect." Earlier this week, I was looking for a decently-priced roundtrip flight to the DC area to attend the MLK Memorial dedication (we know how Irene altered those plans, but anyway). I think the cheapest thing I found flying out of Atlanta was around $306 with one stop. However, United was offering a direct roundtrip flight to Dulles flying out of GSP (Greenville-Spartanburg Int'l) for $163. The difference? GSP landed Southwest just last year.

Even if it results in just a temporary lowering of prices, that will be a VERY welcome thing here in Atlanta.

The "Southwest effect" won't happen here because we've had AirTran for years.

Southwest is GSP's first large low cost carrier (second if you count the defunct Independence Air), so of course they will reap the benefits. Up until recently, GSP has been a very high fare airport. They will also pull in Asheville/Western NC folks due to Asheville's high prices and diminishing service levels.

[flyonpa]

I think they will be some "effect" on City-Pair ATL->??? to cities where DL has no Competition and S/W starts to fly to (Both Direct & With Connections), I fly to MHT (Well i would like to DL is the only Airlines that flys there non/stop). It seem the R/T Fare is around $750-800. I can(and do) fly to BOS for about $300/RT. Looking at some of the MHT fares for next year after SW start to fly there (Thru BWI). Weekend DL drop to 240/RT to match SW. Durring the week (at this point DL is keeping it high price to MHT. ) but for price sentive flyer, DL will lose all that traffic to SW, Why pay 750/rt when SW will do it to 240/RT with 1 connection, Bags included, no change fees,... etc....

[johnatl]

^I agree with you, flyonpa. There will be some "Southwest effect" on certain city-pairs. But - not the full blown effect places like Manchester, Providence, Greenville/Spartanburg, etc. have enjoyed.

I can tell you that many business travelers loyal to AirTran are pretty nervous about the merger. They really don't look forward to business class and pre-assigned seating going away.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by tomno00

Support the local economy. Fly Delta Jets.

Delta ate the airline I used to work for. I'm not sure that makes me a fan of the airline, but so far I've enjoyed the Delta flights I've taken.

[roxyrn]

Seeing a Southwest ad, their promotional flights to NY are more expensive than the current Delta rates. No reason to give up my frequent flier miles or getting on the plane first to assigned seating to pay equal or more money to fly Southwest.

[tonygeorgia]

Most of the southwest flights require a layovers. Sorry I'm to spoiled in Atlanta, I don't do layovers

[Big L]

I'll stick with Delta unless Southwest finally offers some non-stop flights to Los Angeles. Back in the day, you had to stop in both Phoenix and Houston just to get from Los Angeles to New Orleans. I'm sure that Southwest will help out costwise for closer destinations, but that will be about it.