My Favorite Airline in 2019

After trying a number of different airlines over the year, I realized that they are all very similar. My favorite airline has been the one that I have flown on more than any other this year, Southwest. Despite being low cost, Southwest is one of my favorite airlines, especially for US travel. When it comes down to it, I have four main considerations: price, award availability, flexibility, and service.

The prices on Southwest’s flights are almost always very competitive and below the average market cost. If you are looking for the cheapest dates, then its Low Fare Calendar is great and simple. Southwest regularly has sales, so I can find flights for much less than Delta or American can offer. Additionally, since we have a Companion Pass, anytime we fly we can get an additional ticket for the low cost of $5.60 one way. To learn more about how great Southwest Companion Pass is, check out “Why Southwest Companion Pass is the Best Deal in Airfare.” If you want to learn how it saved us over a thousand dollars last year, click here. Essentially, when we want to fly somewhere as a family, not only are we getting a much lower price than offered by another carrier, but we are only having to pay for three people for four tickets. 

Although the legacy carrier’s switch to dynamic award pricing is not good for the consumer, I have found that Southwest does a good job on its end. The award price is based directly on the cost of the ticket. Although you will never be able to find amazing deals using your miles, you know that you are getting a good value for your flight, because, with any other flight, you would get the same value as your points. Additionally, there is no struggle in order to find an award seat. As long as there is an open seat left on the plane, you can book it with your points. Southwest points are easy to use, and even though I will never be getting 10 cents per point like I may using Alaskan Miles, I never have to worry if I am getting a good deal.

Next, I have to give Southwest giant kudos for how great its flexibility is. If I need to cancel my flight after booking the cheapest “Wanna Get Away” fares, then I can do that without losing any value of the ticket. Some airlines charge $200 just to change or cancel a flight, and with Southwest I am able to get a travel fund for my next adventure. If I buy a ticket in a more expensive ticket group, then I will be able to get a refund to my credit card, but that is about the only difference that matters when buying “Anytime” fares on Southwest. I always get the cheapest ticket and have the ability to cancel it without fear that I am losing value. It is extremely easy to change or cancel flights in the app, and I hope that other airlines follow just how amazing Southwest is in this respect. When I see a good deal, I book it with points on the spot, because those points will just be redeposited into the account they came from if I ever need to cancel.

Finally, I have always found that Southwest just simply has great service. The flight attendants are always nice and helpful. The cabin crew is attentive, and everyone on the plane, whether in the front or the back, is getting the exact same service. I like the fact that you can pick your own seats upon boarding, but that may not be good for families without priority boarding. There is not much more to say. Any flight attendant, gate agent, pilot or phone assistance employee of Southwest that I have ever talked to has been nice and helpful regarding any concerns or requests.

Overall, there is a reason that every Southwest plane has a heart on it, and it is not just for marketing purposes. I feel that Southwest really takes that extra step to make the experience better for all of its passengers. Southwest is affordable and great for families. It flies all over the US and Caribbean, and it is easy to deal with. All of its fleet consists of 737s keeping everything running smoothly, even in the case of an equipment swap. I luv Southwest, and I think that it really cares (luv is its ticker symbol and more).