SOUTHWEST AIRLINES :: Way to Go!
0Gay friendly and newly fabulous, Southwest Airlines is the way to go.
In commerce, as in life, those with a vision often find themselves ahead of their times. Exhibit A: Southwest Airlines.
Remember when Southwest was the objects of derision and scorn from hoity-toity types? Not today. Southwest's business model - with attention to customer service and dismissal of froth and frills - is now copied by virtually every company flying the skies (friendly or otherwise) in 2010.
"He who has the last laugh" department, indeed. Since virtually every carrier is now no-frills (whether they like to think so or not), Southwest is way ahead of the game. Among the early adapters in low-cost consumer aviation, they've perfected their products in a way that the new guys on the block are still trying to do.
Most recently - this week, in fact - Southwest was judged to be "the most generous" when it comes to frequent flier programs as well. According to a study by IdeaWorks Co., the airline had a 99% "yes" rate to free-ticket requests, matched only by Germany's Air Berlin. The next closest U.S. carrier? Alaska- way down at 75%.
As a travel writer with nearly two decades' experience, I was very pleasantly surprised by a recent Southwest flight from Los Angeles to the San Francisco Bay Area. (Great news: Southwest flies from both LAX and Burbank to San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose- talk about having you covered!) The new check-in procedures - including boarding passes you can print out online - and three-line system means getting on-board is easier and more painless than ever. (Indeed, everyone on line seems thrilled by the new system; once again, Southwest leads the way in listening to passengers and giving them what they want.)
The Price? So Right.
In this economy, there's lots to love about Southwest: first and foremost, the price. Depending on your destination, there are various tiers of advance-purchase fares that can save you money in a big way, depending on how much advance notice you have. (There are also anytime fares- more expensive, but especially good for business travelers whose schedules may change fast and furiously.)
And while they can veer toward the folksy (we're so not that), we appreciate the flight attendants' upbeat attitudes. (Unlike those on the major carriers, whose flight attendants are always bitching about unions and poor pay, someone at Southwest management must have told their minions- quite wisely - that this policy does not happy customers make!) We also love that bags fly free, up to two pieces and 50 pounds per person per flight, and snacks are distributed on-board at no cost. (We've even been known to elicit extra peanut packets from flight attendants if there are extras to go around, and they're always happy to give drink refills if time and availability permit.)
Frequent Flyer? Fab!
Need more ammo? Southwest has an award-winning frequent flyer program, having won numerous Freddie Awards from Inside Flyer Magazine, including Best Award Redemption. There's even an iPhone App for easy check-in and flight status.
Even better (who knew?), Southwest has a Business Select program. The Business elect fare provides priority boarding, a drink, extra Rapid Reward Credits, easily changeable flights (typically, with no fee) and-yes!- faster security lanes.
Even passengers on super-saver advance notice flight can change an itinerary, providing you're in the same advance time frame. (E.g., if it's a 14-day advance fare, you can change it if it's still 14 days before your departure. Compare this to the Draconian policies of other airlines!)
Another big bonus: Southwest doesn't have a dreaded "use it or lose it" policy because, as they put it, "life happens." If you can't travel on the original ticket, you have up to a year to use your travel funds toward another flight. Sweet!
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Improved Check-In? Ideal!
Now, your attention, fliers: we have a major announcement to make. The notorious Southwest cattle call boarding system is officially a thing of the past!
Southwest's new (much improved) boarding process takes all the guesswork out of boarding. There's still open seating, but you now board in groups and in numerical order, so there's less confusion than ever- and far gentler spirit prevails.
In fact, you can check in 24-hours in advance online from a desktop computer and print your own boarding pass to be at the head of the line. Alternately you can check on a mobile device or through Southwest's iPhone app, then print your boarding pass from a kiosk at the airport-with your place in line reserved when you checked in online! (That's great news for those of us whose printers died in 1997.) Even better, for confirmed snobs like me: there's also a new Early Bird service, where, for a small charge, the airline will check you in and reserve your place in line. How much do we like that?
Southwest has also announced improvements its gate areas, with charging stations and leather business seating. Pets? They travel for $75 each way under the PAWS program. In the works: satellite-to-aircraft WiFi. (We so can't wait for that!)
For updated information on these and Southwest's other product enhancements, click here.
New Directions
Hunting for airfare bargains? We thought so. Southwest has great fares and promotions that are released every Tuesday via the Click 'n Save e-mails. Sign up for those at southwest.com (under the button on the top of the screen: "Sign Up and Save.") There are also cross-promotional deals in partnership with Visit California; check the site to find out where and when specials apply.
New cities? You bet: Boston and Philadelphia are two of new Southwest destinations with hopping gay scenes; as of May 23, Panama City Beach, FL, joins the party as well. What's more, Southwest is the largest intra-state carrier in Florida and California. They even have a landing page (pun intended!) devoted to Gay Travel
A Tradition of Tolerance
Indeed, according to spokesperson Marilee McInnis, "At Southwest Airlines, we have always valued diversity in the workforce and pride ourselves on giving our Employees the freedom to be themselves."
Even better, Mcinnis advises, "We are very proud that we offer health and flight benefits for our employees' committed partners." In fact, "Southwest boasts a diversity council that makes sure we are adhering to our Culture of Freedom and the Golden Rule: treating every employee with respect."
Mcinnis would like EDGE readers to know that, "We believe that reaching out to the LGBT community is the right thing to do from both a financial and social standpoint. Moreover, at Southwest Airlines, we celebrate the diversity of our workforce and customer base, and we want that to be reflected in our efforts."
With 95 daily nonstop flights to 32 cities out of Orlando (and additional direct or connecting service to 33 other destinations) Southwest may very be going your way.