Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,428
Posts310,024
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 114
pat 43
jazzgal 41
Todd 40
Member Spotlight
BVIslander
BVIslander
Road Town
Posts: 39
Joined: October 2004
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
ecco, OceanDrop, vincent
Who's Online Now
8 registered members (BillR, Wingman, Mikel, michaelj, SANFILIP, sxmpete, 2 invisible), 844 guests, and 72 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Southwest to SXM? #194560
05/10/2019 06:57 PM
05/10/2019 06:57 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,346
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline OP
Traveler
RonDon  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,346
Rhode Island
I just received email from Divi marketing stating I can now book air/room packages on Southwest for Aruba and SXM.

When did SW start flying to SXM? Anyone know?

SXM Sponsors
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: RonDon] #194562
05/10/2019 07:37 PM
05/10/2019 07:37 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
They certainly don't fly to SXM as of NOW. They may be planning on announcing it soon. While I loathe SW myself, any new competition is great! (...speaks a person who is flying SW in about six days....)


Carol Hill
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: RonDon] #194573
05/10/2019 08:44 PM
05/10/2019 08:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
S
SXMBND Offline
Traveler
SXMBND  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
Would love to see direct flights from their Hub in Providence.

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: RonDon] #194576
05/10/2019 11:00 PM
05/10/2019 11:00 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,880
B
Bahston Offline
Traveler
Bahston  Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,880
Careful with those Providence comments, or you'll get an earful about how well those of us in the Northeast already have it when it comes to flights.

It's more likely that SW, if and when they're ready to start SXM service, will do flights out of FLL, MCO, or HOU. Nothing has been announced, and I don't have a contact inside SW to ask.

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: Bahston] #194581
05/11/2019 05:45 AM
05/11/2019 05:45 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
S
SXMBND Offline
Traveler
SXMBND  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
Originally Posted by Bahston
Careful with those Providence comments, or you'll get an earful about how well those of us in the Northeast already have it when it comes to flights.

It's more likely that SW, if and when they're ready to start SXM service, will do flights out of FLL, MCO, or HOU. Nothing has been announced, and I don't have a contact inside SW to ask.


Their not fleeing the same weather we are........... : groovin

Last edited by SXMBND; 05/11/2019 05:47 AM.
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: Bahston] #194588
05/11/2019 08:32 AM
05/11/2019 08:32 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
I believe that if it happens, it is supposed to be out of FLL. A nonstop out of MCO might 'force' me to go with SW to SXM, but I don't think there's any way that will happen.


Carol Hill
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: SXMBND] #194592
05/11/2019 09:45 AM
05/11/2019 09:45 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 760
Chicago area & St-Martin
ChiTownHarry Offline
Traveler
ChiTownHarry  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 760
Chicago area & St-Martin
Originally Posted by SXMBND
Their not fleeing the same weather we are........... : groovin


Or their weather might be worse... Last January in Chicago was a low of minus 22 F.


--ChiTownHarry
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: Carol_Hill] #194601
05/11/2019 01:08 PM
05/11/2019 01:08 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,093
CaribLee Offline
Traveler
CaribLee  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,093
Carol--just curious why you don't like Southwest. I'm not a fan of their "no assigned seats" but otherwise I generally enjoy flying with them.

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: CaribLee] #194616
05/11/2019 07:29 PM
05/11/2019 07:29 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,585
Eric_Hill Offline

Traveler
Eric_Hill  Offline

Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,585
She hates the no assigned seats.... so then standing in a line for 30+ minutes to get a seat or I guess now, PAY EXTRA to get some sort of priority seating. Crazy! So now you have to pay extra to get a good seat, but they do not want to change their policy... but this is exactly what they are doing by charging extra. And the reason that they are doing this.............. people hate the cattle line to go to the meat house.


Eric Hill
TTOL Sponsors
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: Eric_Hill] #194630
05/12/2019 05:43 AM
05/12/2019 05:43 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
And Delta and AA are doing and have been doing the same thing, reduced fare for no preassigned seating. Want to choose your seat, extra $25-$50+.


J.D.
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: RonDon] #194635
05/12/2019 07:01 AM
05/12/2019 07:01 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,080
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
Traveler
boucharda  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,080
Massachusetts
Exactly. The early boarding fee is kinda offset by the two free checked bags. While SWA is not one of my top two airlines (JB for most flights and Delta for International) I would not hesitate to fly with them. Decent flight experience and usually a friendly crew.

....and the standing for 30 minute thing is way in the past. EVERYONE gets a boarding number and get in line when your group (A,B or C) is called. If you want to board early (I do) it's your choice.

It is also number three in best US airlines behind Delta and Alaska....note: the same survey had JB below AA so take it with a huge grain of salt.

Top 10 US Airlines link

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: ruralcarrier] #194640
05/12/2019 07:41 AM
05/12/2019 07:41 AM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 419
Beverly MA (Boston's North Sho...
timnboston Offline
Traveler
timnboston  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 419
Beverly MA (Boston's North Sho...
Is anyone else old enough to remember the"bad" old days of government regulation? You paid a bit more, but prices were set - no games or "fees", and the airlines had to compete based upon service.

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: ruralcarrier] #194649
05/12/2019 09:55 AM
05/12/2019 09:55 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
JD--sorry, not at ALL the same thing to me. You can always pay when you book and get an actual seat, on everyone except Southwest. Or when you check in, you are assigned a seat, if you don't want to pay anything. Yesterday I flew Spirit (in the US, not SXM, unfortunately), and paid extra for an assigned seat. With Southworst, you NEVER get an assigned seat. I am willing to pay a few bucks more for an assigned seat at booking, or if I don't do that, take the luck of the draw and get one when I check in. Just give me a d*mn seat!!!


Carol Hill
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: RonDon] #194656
05/12/2019 10:37 AM
05/12/2019 10:37 AM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,880
B
Bahston Offline
Traveler
Bahston  Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,880
I’m with Carol on this one. No assigned seat, no buy.

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: timnboston] #194664
05/12/2019 01:26 PM
05/12/2019 01:26 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 192
Columbia, SC, USA
DandM29212 Offline
Traveler
DandM29212  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 192
Columbia, SC, USA
Originally Posted by timnboston
Is anyone else old enough to remember the"bad" old days of government regulation? You paid a bit more, but prices were set - no games or "fees", and the airlines had to compete based upon service.


What a silly post. "You paid a bit more" ??? My first flight in 1975, Pittsburgh to LA, cost $1,008. Applying inflation to that is $4,440 in today's dollars! How many people would be flying if costs were that high? In 1975, less than 1 in 5 had ever flown once in an airplane!

Houses in 1975 cost an average of under $40k, cars cost an average of $3500. Imagine today paying 20% of a car to fly to LA!!

Sorry, those were not "the good old days" when it came to flying.


[Linked Image]
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: DandM29212] #194668
05/12/2019 02:10 PM
05/12/2019 02:10 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 419
Beverly MA (Boston's North Sho...
timnboston Offline
Traveler
timnboston  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 419
Beverly MA (Boston's North Sho...
I'm sorry you found my post silly - I guess we had different experiences. In the early '70's I regularly flew between Boston and LA for around $450 and was served an edible mean by flight attendants who were earning a living wage. And your inflation doesn't take into consideration technological progress - especially when comparing services as opposed to commodities.

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: RonDon] #194675
05/12/2019 03:58 PM
05/12/2019 03:58 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,346
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline OP
Traveler
RonDon  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,346
Rhode Island
Just received answer to my email query and SW said their plans prior to Irma have fallen through and they're not sure when SXM will be added to their line up so that note from Divi was incorrect.

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: RonDon] #194679
05/12/2019 04:28 PM
05/12/2019 04:28 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Regardless of how I personally feel about SW, sorry that they won't be flying to SXM soon.


Carol Hill
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: RonDon] #194699
05/12/2019 10:46 PM
05/12/2019 10:46 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 131
S
smalbany Offline
Traveler
smalbany  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 131
I am a regular SW flyer and occasionally speak with middle-managers flying through their Dallas HQ. While they have had their eyes on SXM for some time, I do not believe they will commit to any expansion of service until the 737Max is returned to service. In addition, the rebuilding of PJIA must be completed and operational.

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: CaribLee] #194722
05/13/2019 10:13 AM
05/13/2019 10:13 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,313
Granville, MA
PreK176 Offline
Traveler
PreK176  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,313
Granville, MA
I love Southwest for the simple reason that I don't have to pay for 2 bags, my carryon is free, and I can change/cancel my flight anytime for free if something comes up. That has happened a lot for me while flying in the US. They almost always run on time and I would love it if I could get a flight to SXM on Southwest! I have done the early bird but recently haven't as the cost has gone up. I just check in at the correct time. Very organized and easy. Honestly, having flown AA and JetBlue recently they are both full of the cattle lines. People carrying ALL their worldly possessions onboard because they don't want to pay the baggage fee. Backed up the whole boarding process! Planes left late, barely made our CLT connection on the way down. We need to find a better way. Traveling to JFK for a non-stop isn't close to being an option.


[Linked Image]
[/url]
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: PreK176] #194726
05/13/2019 10:52 AM
05/13/2019 10:52 AM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 185
P
panman Offline
Traveler
panman  Offline
Traveler
P
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 185
What do you mean, " Check in at the right time?" I understood your boarding assignment on SW was determined by the day and time of purchasing your ticket, not at the time you check in? Correct me if I a m wrong though....Thanks

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: panman] #194728
05/13/2019 10:59 AM
05/13/2019 10:59 AM
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 305
Rhode Island
E
eightzerobits Offline
Traveler
eightzerobits  Offline
Traveler
E
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 305
Rhode Island
Boarding position on SW is determined when you check in. Back when I flew on them a lot and they didn't offer an option to buy your spot in line, I'd set an alarm for 24-hours prior to departure to ensure I got that coveted 'A' group.

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: RonDon] #194761
05/13/2019 05:56 PM
05/13/2019 05:56 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,225
Middle Tennessee
T
TravelHat Offline
Traveler
TravelHat  Offline
Traveler
T
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,225
Middle Tennessee
With all the early board it is tough to get an A. Business select gets you in A 1-15 so if you travel as a couple one goes on and saves the seat next to them. Most people ask if the seat is taken. On some flights you can upgrade to Business Select at the gate for $40.00.

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: TravelHat] #194770
05/13/2019 07:21 PM
05/13/2019 07:21 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,313
Granville, MA
PreK176 Offline
Traveler
PreK176  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,313
Granville, MA
Last few trips I haven't done the Early Bird.....not as cheap as it once was! Also after the A group they board all the families with young kids. Doesn't pay to spend money for Early Bird if you aren't given the position in line. Son was A60 I was B1....we didn't get to board at the same time. I had to wait for the families. People with little kids behind me were mad because they didn't realize they could get on before B group. I had paid for early boarding and so did they. I did send an email to Southwest and got my money back. Now we just take our chances unless I know that I won't be near a computer to check in exactly 24hrs prior to my flight!


[Linked Image]
[/url]
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: PreK176] #194773
05/13/2019 07:36 PM
05/13/2019 07:36 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,225
Middle Tennessee
T
TravelHat Offline
Traveler
TravelHat  Offline
Traveler
T
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,225
Middle Tennessee
I used to fly them three times a month for about 11 years. Had automatic A and a ton of miles. I would rather be home.

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: RonDon] #194788
05/14/2019 06:49 AM
05/14/2019 06:49 AM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 363
The Villages, FL
deputydog1157 Offline
Traveler
deputydog1157  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 363
The Villages, FL
My limited experience with SW has been less than desirable. Feel like I'm dealing with the days of living in NY and riding the subway . First there's having to deal with the bozos in the waiting area either cutting the line in the group or just being disrespectful. Then the cattle call to get into the plane occurs and by the time you get in the plane all the overhead bins are full. I guess that's why SW is also known as the Greyhound of the Sky. Thanks, but for the extra few bucks I;d rather be treated like a human being.

Last edited by deputydog1157; 05/14/2019 06:50 AM. Reason: grammar


[Linked Image]
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: panman] #194789
05/14/2019 07:49 AM
05/14/2019 07:49 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,080
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
Traveler
boucharda  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,080
Massachusetts
Originally Posted by panman
What do you mean, " Check in at the right time?" I understood your boarding assignment on SW was determined by the day and time of purchasing your ticket, not at the time you check in? Correct me if I a m wrong though....Thanks


Half correct....if you opt in for the early boarding it is determined by date of purchase since there will be more than one early boarders. SWA auto assigns the boarding number before regular check in is available. Check in time determines the rest.

..and yes, if you are near the end of the boarding bunch the overhead bins might be full like any other airline BUT the chance is greatly decreased because of the two checked bags free thing.

It all comes down to personal preference. If your perceived opinion of an airline is bad then just fly another airline. They do tend to make those fares lower by their (SWA) presence

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: boucharda] #194791
05/14/2019 08:28 AM
05/14/2019 08:28 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
boucharda--you are definitely right about that. More competition always seems to have the effect of lowering prices. Overall, however I personally will only fly SW as a last resort, which includes my upcoming flight on Thursday on SW. I couldn't find anything else that fit into my timeframe. I do hope they eventually fly to SXM though.


Carol Hill
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: deputydog1157] #194797
05/14/2019 09:05 AM
05/14/2019 09:05 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,313
Granville, MA
PreK176 Offline
Traveler
PreK176  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,313
Granville, MA
While standing in line for Southwest boarding it has always seemed less chaotic to me. People politely are asking "what number are you". Compare that to AA or JetBLue where everyone herds to the line as soon as their group is called. Even people who AREN'T in the group are crowding the line. That is where people are cutting each other off! I also disagree with your assessment of carryons. I saw people boarding AA who decided that they weren't going to carry their bag to the back of the plane so found a bin in the front. I actually heard a woman say "I'm leaving my bag here" and she walked many rows to the back. Ok, so now, people getting on have no room for their carryon in their bin so THEY have to go several rows back to find space and THEN fight the herd to get back to their seat. As you can imagine after several incidents like this our plane was late taking off. We barely made our connection. Not sure why people don't put their luggage in the bin at their seat or why some insist on putting small bags and coats in the overhead. Just my opinion. There is always a lot less confusion on Southwest as most I think check their bags. No matter the airline we always put our backpacks under the seat in front of us.


[Linked Image]
[/url]
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: RonDon] #194818
05/14/2019 12:32 PM
05/14/2019 12:32 PM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 363
The Villages, FL
deputydog1157 Offline
Traveler
deputydog1157  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 363
The Villages, FL
I guess that's why there's chocolate and vanilla. My experience on the limited number of flights on SW I have taken were less enjoyable than other airlines.



[Linked Image]
Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: RonDon] #194834
05/14/2019 03:23 PM
05/14/2019 03:23 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,346
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline OP
Traveler
RonDon  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,346
Rhode Island
PreK176 I totally agree with you.

Also what airlines need to do is really enforce the carry-on size. Why do they have a size box in place if they don't use it. Sometimes I can't find room for a bag that adheres to the airlines web site measurement for carry on because there's a super big bag taking up half of the overhead above three seats.

And those of you who take backpacks please take care moving down the isle to NOT smack me in the head as you pass OR to turn around hitting me when I'm walking in back of you. Take it off your back and carry it in front of you.

Re: Southwest to SXM? [Re: ruralcarrier] #194868
05/14/2019 07:35 PM
05/14/2019 07:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 467
B
bizzottom Offline
Traveler
bizzottom  Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 467
Just another gouging tactic


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1