Interesting article here.

I think this would be a very positive thing for many people, IF it happens.

More competition is always a good thing! Sounds like if it happens, there will be a nonstop from FLL, which is certainly a good thing and hopefully will reduce AA's prices from Miami. So I will maybe have two choices of places I can drive 3.5 hours to, for a nonstop. I guess we will never get a nonstop from either Tampa or Orlando, <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> but if it reduces AA's prices from Miami, that will be a marvelous thing!

Carol let's cross fingers for Tampa or Orlando because, for us SW flies direct to both places from Providence. We could visit the grandchildren then continue on SW to SXM-----or am I dreaming?

They fly nonstop to Tampa and Orlando and not Ft Lauderdale from Providence? I am hoping for Tampa or Orlando, but it probably won't happen in my lifetime. Years ago, when we lived outside Washington DC, we flew nonstop from BWI once. And then US Air stopped the flight. And the year that we moved down here, United started a weekly nonstop from Washington Dulles. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> I think we are always destined to drive a minimum of three hours for a non stop flight!

FLL would be ideal...especially now with JB gone. This year since JB out....paying two hundred bucks more per ticket... Come on Southwest....let's get it done!!!

My vote is for HOU (Houston Hobby), new International terminal. A lot of flights to the Caribbean now on Southwest.

Jetblue from FLL is coming as well..

Source

SWA usually has at least two daily N/S flights from PVD to FLL

I believe BWI will be the main East Coast N/S to SXM airport....and FLL will be the SXM route choice but Orlando is also a possibility as it is a crew base airport like BWI

We shall see....now that JB has dibs on FLL that could favor MCO for Southwest

Does BWI now fly NS to SXM do you know? Or is this future prediction?

There are currently no nonstops from BWI Airport to SXM, on any airline. The only nonstop to SXM from the DC area is United on the weekends (only), in high season. boucharda said that he thinks that BWI will be the east coast hub for Southwest flights to SXM. If Jet Blue does start flying nonstop from FLL to SXM, it sure would be nice if SW comes into Orlando and does a nonstop from there, but I'm not holding my breath on either.

Long Island Islip Macarthur Airport in NY is supposedly putting in customs facility to get international flights into it's under utilized facility. Since Southwest already has a base there it would great if they did some direct flights to SXM and other Caribbean islands. Does BWI have any custom facility presently?

BWI?? Uhmn, yes. BWI is a HUGE airport. They get many international flights per day.

now THAT would be nice <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Not sure why you think Orlando is a possibility? Article clearly states SW is building a five-gate international terminal in FLL which is a "key factor in ensuring Southwest could expand its international prospects to St. Maarten in 2018."

I'm praying for a NS from BWI.

Last June and for the upcoming June, I drove to PHL for American Airlines NS. It's more expensive for me that the connecting BWI flight, but I love that it's NS. Leaves PHL at 9am arrives SXM 1pm. Sweet.

I live north of Baltimore. BWI is about 40 minutes drive south. PHL is about 90 minutes drive north.

I said "possibility" and ANY airport would fit that category. MCO is a crew base and has international gates so that would put them above a bunch BUT, as I also said, FLL is the main probability

Gotta say, I'm praying for a nonstop from Tampa or Orlando, either one of which is 90 minutes from me. AT this point, I am still very thankful for the nonstop from Miami, which is still 3.5 hours from me. People from the US Northeast have it pretty good with regard to getting to SXM...

Don't think you will see that anytime soon. Both Jetblue and SWA have committed to make Fort Lauderdale an international gateway. Their plans are to feed traffic there.

I agree, doubt we will see it anytime soon.

Saw an article today...JB is also considering putting in a direct FLL to SXM route!!!!!!!! That would be perfect!

Tough to get a direct flight to anywhere from Islip anymore, except Florida. I really can't see Southwest going direct to SXM, but I guess we can hope.

Unless you are near a hub city (and a large one at that), the chance of any non-stop flight is minimal. Islip is 3X the size of Dayton Oh and I KNOW there is not a chance of a non-stop from DAY.

Right. With some small exceptions, airlines these days fly nonstop flights between their hubs on bigger planes, and then smaller planes to the smaller destinations.

Hi Carol,

You are exactly correct.

One of the ways Southwest keeps its fares low is by operating one type of aircraft - the Boeing 737. There are different varients like the 737-200, 737-400, etc., but they all are varients of the same type and have common aircrew and maintenance training requirements and proceedures so all employees can work on all their aircraft.

This was part of their plan for success, along with focusing on making flying easier for their customers with free bag check and no reserved seats...

What makes their expansion into the Caribbean market possible now is the purchase of newer streched 737-xxx models with greater range.

Their acquisition of a rival carrier a few years that flew a different type of aircraft caused a "disturbance in the force" for a while but they are moving beyond that now...

Sorry, Bill, in no way does their 'no reserved seats' policy make flying easier for their customers. It probably makes things easier for SW. Their customers, not so much..

I agree Carol. The only time I fly Southwest, is when work forces me to fly them. I hate being part of the cattle herd when they call sections and lining up by number for seating.

It's like you're back in elementary school or something. Definitely NOT for the convenience of the flying public.

I guess it's all in how you perceive the process. Lining up by group and number is much more organized that going through all the different "premier" flyer groups, then the unorganized chaos of group 2, then group 3 etc. and climbing over the group 5 flyers standing in front of everyone.

It's all how you look at it.

I will definitely agree that a seat assignment is a huge plus but the cattle herd is much more controlled on SWA

And that was my point, to Bill S's statement that non assigned seats is to the traveler's benefit, which there is no way that it is.

The system is designed to reward the frequent flyer. Once you earn your A plus you are always on within the first 20 or so and you can check in up to an hour ahead. Grab whatever seat you want and no big deal. If you are flying with someone buy them the A and sit together.

The news article is spot on with information from SWA insiders. They had every intention of adding SXM this year through BWI and FLL. 2 factors forced a delay. First, travel to Cuba opened up earlier than expected and provided an opportunity SWA felt they could not pass up. Second, SWA reached a settlement with FAA & DOT on aircraft maintenance program which has forced them to rely more heavily on reserve fleet. This put off expansion to other domestic and international markets to 2018 or beyond.

I know I am being selfish, but I hope BWI is one of their non-stops when they start service. I usaully drive to Philly because I prefer the non-stop, but this year it was over $800
RT for the non-stop from Philly and only $460 one stop from Baltimore through Charlotte. Who knows what Southwest pricing will be.
Scott

I think there is a benefit to Southwest's seating procedure. It allows the planes to be turned much faster and keeps them in the air earning money. This leads to on time flights and possibly lower fares and two free bags. So the consumer can decide if the discount is worth the hassle.

That is one reason too that they are always at the end of the jetway. They researched and found out how much fuel they save making us walk more and them moving the plane less.

I will assume that was tongue in cheek <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

I've mentioned before that they gave me a huge negative taste 10 plus years ago when my dad and I couldn't sit together both ways for a trip to fiesta bowl. Employees not helpful and pax as well as we held our lowly "c" boarding passes from an unable to use online checkin SW computer snafu. We didn't make an issue and took our center seats many rows apart.....but turdy memory for sure. That was my only pleasure flight on southwest. Done it for business a very few times when cheapest.

Fact is, Southwest ain't very cheap anymore.

They are rarely/never a price winner when I shop. Those 69 dollar cheapie always gone.

So if all things and price equal I remember that Turdy moment to the Fiesta Bowl and go with old pals at United, Delta, American most of the time.


Also, On a flight to bwi from mco one time the cabin crew had no idea we were so close to landing and were casually walking up down aisles as we hit the runway. Ain't seen that anywhere else.

Totally agree that they are not the cheapest all the time. Should be considered if you travel with more than one checked bags per person..or..if you might potentially cancel or change the flight. Money will be banked for a year.

If I would use SWA I wouldn't mess around and just suck it up and pay the $20 or so for early check-in...no issues with seat choice. IF not and you get C boarding anything goes...should not really be a shock to potentially not have seats together

This news has totally made my day!!! We have tons of SWA miles! Now I just need to find a cozy 1br place with a somewhat private pool area.

I hate to disagree with Carol, but BWI is not a major international airport. It is my preferred airport and is a good sized airport with lots of domestic flights. They are working on expanding their international footprint. That may be another reason Southwest may be waiting until 2018. I cannot wait for direct flights to SXM from BWI. I have non-stop flights to and from Punta Cana later this month. Yea!