[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Normal

Wow, who knew? Spirit Airlines and The Villages Health are related. What a tight knit world we live in.

Spirit one up on VHC. Maybe the 3rd time will be charm?

[gatorbill1]

Worst airline ever - used once - never again

[FloridaGuy66]

Tried booking with them once. Was something like a $69 direct flight to Buffalo from MCO one way. Unfortunately I had a large suitcase and a backpack to bring with me. I also wanted to choose my own seat so that at least I wasn't stuck in the middle for almost 3 hours.

By the time all these extra fees are taken into account, it was closer to $200 for the one-way flight so I just ended up booking with Southwest for roughly the same price and at least knowing the seats aren't packed in like sardines and the service is relatively decent.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by FloridaGuy66

Tried booking with them once. Was something like a $69 direct flight to Buffalo from MCO one way. Unfortunately I had a large suitcase and a backpack to bring with me. I also wanted to choose my own seat so that at least I wasn't stuck in the middle for almost 3 hours.

By the time all these extra fees are taken into account, it was closer to $200 for the one-way flight so I just ended up booking with Southwest for roughly the same price and at least knowing the seats aren't packed in like sardines and the service is relatively decent.

That was a good trick, because you can't choose your seat on Southwest Airlines, until your flight departs AFTER January 27, 2026.

If you chose your seat, you didn't fly on Southwest.

[FloridaGuy66]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

That was a good trick, because you can't choose your seat on Southwest Airlines, until your flight departs AFTER January 27, 2026.

If you chose your seat, you didn't fly on Southwest.

Sounds like you've never flown Southwest before. I've flown Southwest probably 100 times.

It's like boarding a bus. Anyone flying on Southwest can choose your seat. You walk on and choose your seat. As long as you're not one of the last 10-15 people boarding, you can easily find yourself a seat that's not a middle one.

It's unfortunate that they're doing the money grab thing and removing this practice. It also made their boarding times faster than any other airline.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by FloridaGuy66

Sounds like you've never flown Southwest before. I've flown Southwest probably 100 times.

It's like boarding a bus. Anyone flying on Southwest can choose your seat. You walk on and choose your seat. As long as you're not one of the last 10-15 people boarding, you can easily find yourself a seat that's not a middle one.

It's unfortunate that they're doing the money grab thing and removing this practice. It also made their boarding times faster than any other airline.

I've flown Southwest 100's of times. You're assigned a Boarding # and get to choose any seat that's available when you step on the airplane. The smart Southwest flyers, buy "Priority", so they have a number lower than 20 for boarding (EXTRA cost). Then the for another EXTRA cost, you get "Early Check In", which will usually get you a number lower than about 50.

Southwest Airplanes have between 24-30 rows, which means at least 25 people sit in a "middle seat", whether they like it or not. Unfortunately, Southwest official policy, is they don't interfere with Passengers "saving seats" for their friends with higher boarding numbers, which means that if you're not lucky enough to have a number under 100, you're likely going to be in a middle seat.

There is no way to insure you don't get a "middle seat" on Southwest. It's the exact same gamble as buying a cabin seat on Spirit, other than you pay extra.

It's usually between $40-$60 to get an upgraded seat on any airline ... just spend the money.