2024 Oklahoma City Aviation Thread

[Richard at Remax]

I don't understand the cultish devotion but do see the draw. We are devoted Delta. We close on a vacation home in South Padre next month and Delta doesn't fly there from OKC. As much as we dislike SW, we are looking at getting the SW credit card so we can get the companion pass. I am paying about $600 for AA first class and SW is about $500 last time I looked. (Short notice booking). For $100 more....will always take the first class option. However.....if I am getting 2 tickets for the $500....then makes it more tempting to fly SW especially on short flights

I would personally look at getting the AA card (barclays or citi) and going that route. If you build up your status, your chances being upgraded between OKC to HRL/BRO via DFW would be very high every trip.

[fortpatches]

I don't understand the cultish devotion but do see the draw. We are devoted Delta. We close on a vacation home in South Padre next month and Delta doesn't fly there from OKC. As much as we dislike SW, we are looking at getting the SW credit card so we can get the companion pass. I am paying about $600 for AA first class and SW is about $500 last time I looked. (Short notice booking). For $100 more....will always take the first class option. However.....if I am getting 2 tickets for the $500....then makes it more tempting to fly SW especially on short flights

Apparently you cannot use any Card Perks or Skymiles perks on Delta if you buy the Basic ticket. You have to by a Main or higher ticket to use any of the perks.

[TheTravellers]

Same. I've never understood the cultish devotion people express for Southwest. It's bizarre.

We have no kids, only do carry-on, they used to have non-stops to places we want to go, and they were cheaper than anybody else, so that's why we used them pretty much exclusively.

[PhiAlpha]

One of OKC's largest carriers....

Southwest Airlines is considering changes to its quirky boarding and seating practices
https://apnews.com/article/southwest...c9c49903a24b3d

Personally, I like the current select-a-seat process and all seats being essentially the same. You are almost guaranteed an aisle or window seat if you are in the A or B boarding group. I like that Southwest has avoided the "nickle and diming" approach other carriers have done for bags, legroom, aisles, ch
oose your seat, etc.

Southwest has always prided themselves on being different, I hope that remains.

same. I like it

[BG918]

Noticed Allegiant is ending its seasonal OKC and TUL-VPS flights early this summer - in early August vs early November last year. Anyone know why? I looked and XNA still has its nonstop flights to VPS through November..

[Richard at Remax]

I was looking at going to San Antonio in Feb but it looks like SWA only flys nonstop on Sundays now. Big bummer

[BG918]

Reasons I like Southwest:
1. Always on a 737
2. Board after A group with kids (fly enough or get their credit card and you always board with the A group anyway)
3. Usually cheaper fares than AA/United/Delta and easy award redemptions
4. Most destinations of any airline out of OKC/TUL (LAS,PHX,DEN,DAL,AUS,SAT,HOU,BNA,STL,MDW,ATL,MCO) and good connecting options

[CaptDave]

1. Always on a 737

That's the latest reason I avoid SWA recently.

[bison34]

That's the latest reason I avoid SWA recently.

737 and 737 MAX are very different planes.

[jedicurt]

737 and 737 MAX are very different planes.

yes, but almost 30% of the Southwest fleet are 737 Max 8.

[CaptDave]

yes, but almost 30% of the Southwest fleet are 737 Max 8.

This is the reason. Besides I hate the Hunger Games boarding, but the Companion Pass from the credit card tempted me tbh. I decided to remain an AA loyalist due to the places we fly and we don't mind DFW in the end.

[scottk]

In regards to boarding efficiencies on Southwest and other airlines...

[therhett17]

I fly SW because I like being on a real plane as opposed to the tiny puddle jumpers AA and others like to use to fly domestic routes from mid size airports.

[dheinz44]

I fly SW because I like being on a real plane as opposed to the tiny puddle jumpers AA and others like to use to fly domestic routes from mid size airports.

This might be an unpopular take but I actually enjoy the smaller planes because the boarding and deplaning process is quicker and there's no middle seat. Only down side is when they make you check your bag because of the limited storage space but I have priority boarding so I usually don't have to worry about it unless my suit case is too big.

[fortpatches]

I fly SW because I like being on a real plane as opposed to the tiny puddle jumpers AA and others like to use to fly domestic routes from mid size airports.

The last few times I have flown Delta out of / in to OKC it has been a Boeing 737-800. I wouldn't call those "puddle jumpers"...

[Mississippi Blues]

I fly SW because I like being on a real plane as opposed to the tiny puddle jumpers AA and others like to use to fly domestic routes from mid size airports.

It’s probably just me coping from not being on a real plane but I feel like it’s easier to get comfortable on the E175 and CRJ’s versus the 737-800 or similar aircraft. At the very least, my anxiety is the same whether I’m on a CRJ700 or an Airbus A350, so I never feel like I’m suffering more when I fly Delta, American, or United than when I fly Southwest.

[Will Dearborn]

SWA offers great non-stop options (for me) out of OKC.

But if I need to connect, I'm flying someone else every time.

[oktxatty]

Piling on SW, I actually like most of their model -except this one: (You'll need a subscription)

Southwest’s Preboarding Line Is Out of Control
The airline’s snaking preboard lines rankle frequent fliers, who believe some passengers are cheating the airline’s open seating system

https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel...olumnists_pos2

[PhiAlpha]

Piling on SW, I actually like most of their model -except this one: (You'll need a subscription)

Southwest’s Preboarding Line Is Out of Control
The airline’s snaking preboard lines rankle frequent fliers, who believe some passengers are cheating the airline’s open seating system

https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/travel...olumnists_pos2

I guess I need to start identifying as disabled lol.

[Richard at Remax]

If they were consistent about putting an end to it, it would be done already.

[Richard at Remax]

looking at DCA flights with AA in August and it looks like they downgraded plane from E175 to CRJ700. Boooo

[The]

looking at DCA flights with AA in August and it looks like they downgraded plane from E175 to CRJ700. Boooo

At the same time, I think AA is planning on an all Embraer RJ fleet by the end of the decade. Can’t come soon enough!

[brianinok]

At the same time, I think AA is planning on an all Embraer RJ fleet by the end of the decade. Can’t come soon enough!

This flight has been everything from CRJ700, CRJ900, E175, and A319. Most common over the course of the year is E175. I haven't had the chance to fly it when it's been an A319 oddly enough, but I've noticed it.

[Richard at Remax]

^1000%. The E175/190 is one of my favorite planes

[gopokes88]

April is out and it's fantastic. Up 10% over april of '23, every airline growing. So much for the "can't grow anymore" crowd

https://www.flyokc.com/sites/default...nplanement.pdf