Anxious to fly Southwest?
The dean of low-cost carriers, Southwest Airlines, may soon be flying in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson.
If Southwest Airlines succeeds in buying Frontier Airlines, it plans to take over all of Frontier’s markets, meaning it would finally touch down in Atlanta, AJC reporter Kelly Yamanouchi writes.
Southwest has never served Atlanta. But, wishful rumors of its impending arrival have floated around civic circles ever since it emerged as the leading no-frills discounter in the early 1990s, Yamanouchi writes.
Are you a Southwest fan? Do you look forward to flying the carrier if it buys Frontier?
Do you think it will make a difference in the competitive landscape here? In fares? In service?
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140 comments Add your comment
Greg
August 11th, 2009
7:28 am
NO CHANGE FEES! Bring it on!
PW
August 11th, 2009
8:02 am
I’m originally from CA and I love SWA. I can’t wait for them to get into the Atlanta market. I also generally fly AirTran and have never had a problem with them. I hate Delta and Continental.
jch
August 11th, 2009
8:03 am
Someone besides Delta needs to fly to Austin TX out of Atlanta!!! Southeast is a great little airline!!!!
Ben
August 11th, 2009
8:07 am
Absolutely would fly Southwest because right now Delta fares are very high to certain cities that AirTran does not server. A prime example is that due to AirTran it costs usually about $180-250 to fly to Denver where AirTran does fly. Contrast that with the usual Delta fare of $500-650 to Salt Lake City where AirTran does not fly. But Frontier does.
SD
August 11th, 2009
8:07 am
SW was always great, in the past would drive to Birmingham until Airtran became more reasonable. SW doesnt have a fee for unaccompanied minors and that is a great customer service. Airtran charges $40 and Delta $75 or so each way. What a difference it would make! You have my business SW hands down!! Good luck bidding!!
DELTA HATER
August 11th, 2009
8:16 am
I hope SOUTHWEST comes here, bends DELTA over and gives it to those overpriced crooks jailhouse-style the same way those inmates gave it to that dog-raping thug Mike Vick for 2 years.
great news
August 11th, 2009
8:19 am
Awesome I would fly more often…
Love Southwest
August 11th, 2009
8:19 am
I recently moved from Nashville to the Atlanta area. Southwest has great customer service ratings and their reward program is second to none. I hope this deal gets done. Delta will have to shape up and quit treating customers like they are doing you a favor to allow you to fly on one of their planes.
Jamie Thomas
August 11th, 2009
8:21 am
Once you fly Southwest, you realize how overrated and ineffecient Delta is – we welcome you Southwest!
tlb
August 11th, 2009
8:22 am
SW in ATLANA…Thats great,now I can save the gas in my car and park in ATL..Thats a whole lot better than to drive to Birmingham…Save me 2 hours…They will gave Delta a run for the money!!!!
ByteMe
August 11th, 2009
8:24 am
Yes!!!
Melinda
August 11th, 2009
8:25 am
I would be so happy if Southwest came to Atlanta. I’ve lived in DC and now live in FL so have been able to use this airline but would love to go back to Atlanta on it. The service is the best airline service out there right now hands down. The flight attendants are so nice and the customer service is amazing.
Reign
August 11th, 2009
8:28 am
Yes, yes, yes
Chanta'l
August 11th, 2009
8:29 am
Yes! I had the opportunity to fly SW as a connector flight to California and it was awesome. The fares were fantastic, the service wonderful and the space on the plane itself is outstanding. I have been waiting for the day when SW would come to the ATL, bring it on and hurry!!
JCfromINDY
August 11th, 2009
8:30 am
I can fly for free now!!!!! Thanks to my brother! YES!
Dana
August 11th, 2009
8:33 am
Great news! Delta may finally take notice to their horrible customer service and make improvements to compete with SWA!!
1Faith
August 11th, 2009
8:35 am
I will be the first to purchase a ticket. I fly Air Tran a lot, now I have two to choose from. Delta can forget it now!!!!
Dawg Foot
August 11th, 2009
8:38 am
Oh heck yeah, I’ll fly SouthWest. Delta’s service is crap. Delta can kiss it.
Nicky
August 11th, 2009
8:39 am
PLEASE come to ATL, SW, looking at fares now for a trip and wish I could book with them. Priced right and good on customer service. BRING IT ON.
Saver
August 11th, 2009
8:40 am
It would be nice to have Southwest in Atlanta to avoid the 2-hour trip to Birmingham, AL. I was fortunate to fly Southwest to New Orleans for $65 roundtrip a few years ago as part of their anniversary special. Additionally, it would’ve been $58 had I returned on a different day.
1Faith
August 11th, 2009
8:41 am
I agree with Dana. Delta customer service is horrible these days. Since Bankruptcy and better airlines in the air Delta just don’t care any more. When their prices were over the top, to take care of the rich and famous we were given the best service. To me Air Tran has ghe best customer service. Good Bye Delta.
Mike
August 11th, 2009
8:42 am
Absolutely! And, this will have a positive impact to fares… we can only hope SW expands to more markets out of Atlanta since DL will only compete on fares in those common markets. The reason fares are less out of Birmingham than Atlanta is because of SW.
Dansel52
August 11th, 2009
8:43 am
I love Southwest – I often drive to Birmingham to fly SW because the fares are super cheap. They also held the best on time performance for several years. Great airline should be an asset to ATL.
Lee
August 11th, 2009
8:43 am
Please come to ATL SWA! Then come to SAV as well!
Tami
August 11th, 2009
8:45 am
Great! Can’t wait!! Great Airline, no fuss! Super employee’s, real customer service! I have drive n to Birmingham to fly SW.
Travis
August 11th, 2009
8:45 am
We need Southwest here. Atlanta seems to have some of the highest airfare in the nation for major cities.
Don Carty
August 11th, 2009
8:49 am
Good old Southwest. Six stops from here to your destination. Takes all day. Southwest has more male flight attendants than females. The business man hates riding on the Southwest bus. The bus people flying. Do you know Southwest doesn’t even fly outside the contiguous US. So Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, South America, Europe and the far east are not happening. If you want to scoot around making five stops, then SW is a great choice.
Ted
August 11th, 2009
8:51 am
I would love if SW flew into Atlanta. Whenever I make it to Atlanta, I pay 40% higher fares than anywhere I go where SW flies thanks to Delta holding the city hostage (and an AirTran airport being over 2 hours away). Honestly, we don’t go as often since it isn’t worth an extra $600 for 3 of us just to get there to see family/friends. We would rather go where SW flies and spend the money on hotels, etc.
The Anti-Socialist
August 11th, 2009
8:51 am
DELTA is the “Clayton County School System” of airlines.
DELTA is the “Barack Obama” of knowing how to run a successful business FOR profit.
DELTA is the “Mike Vick” of customer service.
Atlanta_Tiger_Fan
August 11th, 2009
8:54 am
Excellent news!!! I flew Southwest all the time when I lived in Louisiana and it’s the best airline I have ever flown. I’ve driven to Birmingham twice just to fly Southwest!!
Atlanta_Tiger_Fan
August 11th, 2009
8:54 am
Don Carty obviously works for Delta!
WHF
August 11th, 2009
8:56 am
More competition is a thing for us customers. Welcome SW.
PMC
August 11th, 2009
8:56 am
absolutely! It’s about time.
L.C.B.
August 11th, 2009
8:58 am
I am glad that Southwest is finally coming to Atlanta. I am originally from Los Angeles and Southwest was usually one of the “go-to” carriers if you needed a low fare. Hopefully, this will force Delta and some of the other carriers that serve ATL to lower their fares to certain cities.
faireygodmother
August 11th, 2009
8:59 am
I already drive to Birmingham for the really good deals…… this would be really GREAT!!!!
ken c
August 11th, 2009
9:03 am
yes , yes and yes,delta has been killing us with their fares,they have monopolized the market in the atl. they will be welcomed with open arms. I will fly alot more now .
T.
August 11th, 2009
9:05 am
I read the comments thus far, and unless I missed the most important perk…NO BAG FEES FOR 2 BAGS!!!!!! I have yet to see a flight $40 cheaper ($15 + $25), for those that don’t check bags (on other airlines). Also a thought, didn’t they start charging bag fees when gas was out of control?
DeltaFFandSWA
August 11th, 2009
9:06 am
I fly both Delta and SWA weekly between Baltimore and Fort Lauderdale, South West down to Fort Lauderdale (direct) and Delta back to Baltimore with connection in Atlanta. Why? SouthWest flies direct, Delta has a better network and frequent flyer program. Yes, you can get a free ticket on SouthWest much faster, but you better be happy with just one country in this big world because they don’t fly across any oceans. Those flights on South West are LONG because there is NO entertainment provided (T.V. movies, wi-fi, nothing…. enjoy that 5 hours on a 737). Delta is by no means perfect but does provide a much more comfortable travel experience. Southwest is much better at being on time, but good luck doing that at Hartsfield where you spend more time waiting for a gate or congestion on the tarmac to clear. You might actually save time and be more comformtable driving to Birmingham and taking Southwest from there versus crammed into a Southwest 737 sitting on an old frumpy seat cushion surrounded by the Southwest drunkard passengers.
Charles Leeks
August 11th, 2009
9:07 am
Only fly SW if there is no other option. Hate the “cattle call” and unassigned seats. Last time I flew SWA, it got ugly as people were cutting line and arguring.
Lori
August 11th, 2009
9:08 am
Southwest is the BEST….. Can’t wait to give Delta a little more competition…..
Mara
August 11th, 2009
9:09 am
Love it!!! Can’t wait.
K.
August 11th, 2009
9:10 am
I’m in; and so is my family and all my friends !!
Southwest is also a good corporate neighbor in terms of support of local projects and causes.
Tucker
August 11th, 2009
9:10 am
If Southwest’s presence in Atlanta essentially duplicates Frontier’s presence, the impact will be slight. Heavy reliance on connecting flights out of Denver or any other hub well west of the Mississippi will not be a big winner, especially with the frequent weather related delays in Denver during 4-5 months of the year. Southwest will need direct flight destinations to cities not served by or minimally served by AirTran and overpriced on Delta and Continental. Even from Dallas the non-stop destinations on Southwest are rather limited, only 15 including 2-3 this side of Dallas already served by AirTran.
rodney massenburg
August 11th, 2009
9:11 am
I am originally from New Orleans, and we had Southwest and it’s a great air line, and will give Delta and AirTran a run for their money and service. Bring Southwest on. Can not wait.
Cammi317
August 11th, 2009
9:15 am
Yes I will definitely fly SW. I don’t need all of the bells and whistles used to pump up rates. I can provide my own entertainment (dvd player, mp3 player, books, travel games, crosswords, etc). What I want is a cheap and safe flight.
Jessica H.
August 11th, 2009
9:22 am
I have been waiting for a low-cost airline to hit Atlanta since I got here! I can’t wait.
JetBlue…you should be next.
Welcome SWA. Welcome.
Shanay
August 11th, 2009
9:33 am
I travel to Cali regularly on AirTran and can’t complain but can’t wait for SWA to arrive in ATL! No baggage fees! Lower fares! I will love it! Bring it on SWA!!!!
EMMA
August 11th, 2009
9:33 am
YEAAAAAAA!!!! Man they always have some good deals. We drive to Birmingham sometimes to catch a flight because we can save $200-300 off an airline ticket and it’s worth it to my family. My family of four can fly to St. Louis for about $118/ea on a sale where as out of Atlanta we look at $250-$300 if we don’t get a deal. YEAAAAAAAAA!!!!! Sure hope it happens
JeninAtlanta
August 11th, 2009
9:33 am
ABSOLUTELY! I would love to have the option of flying Southwest out of Atlanta….This kind of change is very good! Bring Southwest on ASAP!
Arty
August 11th, 2009
9:34 am
800,000 miles on Delta…will switch to SW in a heartbeat!
David
August 11th, 2009
9:34 am
I can’t wait, I will be able to fly competetively to Providence RI and never have to step foot in Boston’s Logan again. Can’t happen fast enough.
Rickster
August 11th, 2009
9:34 am
Jet Blue came to Atlanta already several years ago. But their presence was so limited, they never made any inroads here. (Plus, you had to go through NY to get anywhere.)
I’d love for SW to come here. Air Tran will still be my first choice, but SW will definitely on my list of airlines to look at.
Fred
August 11th, 2009
9:38 am
ANYONE BUT DELTA!!!!!!
L.
August 11th, 2009
9:39 am
whoa Delta Hater, dial it back!! You’re scary man. Anyway, as far as Southwest – bring it on – yes it will make a difference. Hopefully, the incumbants will notice not only their pricing but also their great customer service.
Ryan
August 11th, 2009
9:40 am
David, Frontier does not fly from ATL to PVD. Neither will LUV. Look at Frontier routes out of ATL. That is where LUV will fly. Total Greyhound experience…
David
August 11th, 2009
9:41 am
They do not have any fees for checked baggage. So I would use them for direct flights, but I would not use them to go to the west coast.
tulsabravo
August 11th, 2009
9:44 am
I’ve been waiting for this to happen for years. Will definately be flying back to Atlanta when this is up and running. Great news!
FinanceBuzz
August 11th, 2009
9:44 am
Wouldn’t set foot on a Southwest plane. I would plan to stick with Delta or even AirTran.
lwa
August 11th, 2009
9:44 am
Please come to Atlanta. I love capitalism. SW is flexible, rates are reasonable and no extra fees.
For extra long flights I may consider another airline, but not to fly to BWI. YEAH!!! The kids can see grandma more often.
YEAH!!! I am so excited. It is about time.
I see Delta rates falling rapidly and they will begin to add back some old routes again. Bring it on. Will they be here by Christmas???
Claristine
August 11th, 2009
9:46 am
Absolutely!!!
JCfromINDY
August 11th, 2009
9:46 am
Everybody knows SWA doesn’t fly international! dip wads……………. Go Southwest!
MASM
August 11th, 2009
9:48 am
I guess every single person posting their comments here are from Denver or are very excited about going to Denver…get a grip, Frontier only has two gates at Hartsfield, you will need to connect in Denver (good luck during the winter) and then Houston Hobby, and then a couple of other airports to get to your final destinations. Yes they may have the funniest flight attendants, who are ready to entertain you, but their route network out of ATL will not be competitive. You may not pay for the bags, but you will not get a seat assignment either and you will certainly pay for the drinks, same as Airtran and Delta; No Wi-Fi option. Jessica FYI: Jetblue already tried ATL and they departed three years ago…
GWJ
August 11th, 2009
9:50 am
Competition is ALWAYS good!
Les
August 11th, 2009
9:52 am
If the ultra-low fares on SouthWest mean that we will have to fly with ignorant ghetto and trailer trash with poor hygiene and the inability to use their “indoor voices,” forget it.
No amount of money saved is worth having spend hours at time confined with “THOSE PEOPLE.”
MsE
August 11th, 2009
9:54 am
I fly to ATL from SF 2-3 times a year. I would love SW there. Delta is my favorite for sure, but SW is good, cheap and I don’t have to leave out of SF to go home. I can leave from smaller airports closer to home.
AM
August 11th, 2009
9:55 am
Absolutely! Wanna Get Away fares and No fees for luggage!!! I think Southwest coming to Atlanta would be fabulous!!!
Qadeera
August 11th, 2009
9:56 am
Southwest in ATL? yes, I don’t see why it took so long for this too happen! Driving to Birmingham seens endless to catch a flight. I would love to be able to make a decision based upon who do i want to save money with, Southwest and or AirTran….Choices,choices, choices. However, I hope once they do arrive here in Atlanta they don’t jump on the wagon of charging fees at some point……
slimpickens
August 11th, 2009
9:57 am
Delta deserves what it gets, they have become the worst airline in the industry. Maybe they will cut Mr. Anderson’s inflated salary so he can view things a little differently. With that, he may not be able to buy as much gel for his thinning hair!!!
Qadeera
August 11th, 2009
9:57 am
Enter your comments here
Jock Ewing
August 11th, 2009
9:57 am
WN will be a fringe player here in ATL. There is room for them in select markets but they will face intense pressure from DL and AirTran. Neither will concede market share easily and will both work to keep WN at bay or better yet out of ATL ala JetBlue.
For all of you who think Southwest can become a big player by pledging to fly them at all cost dont get all the pieces of the puzzle. It just sounds good and the thing to say at the momemt. Their only chance is to buy AirTran to have a real ATL market. Dont see it happening.
Mia
August 11th, 2009
10:01 am
This is awesome!! I love free-market competition and Southwest truly is my favorit airline!! I’ve lived in several SW markets ( B’ham, New Orleans, B’more, Raleigh-Durham) and have truly missed the cheaper fares. Their reward system is simple and achievable. Watch out Delta!
GO_SWA
August 11th, 2009
10:02 am
The country’s two worst airlines have merged to create the world’s largest worst airline…..It’s time we got more competition in ATL, i.e. better serivce, better prices….GO SOUTHWEST!!!
atlsdr
August 11th, 2009
10:05 am
ABSOLUTELY! With AirTran’s spotty service and frequent delays, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to choose another discount carrier and one with trusted name/service.
GNICH
August 11th, 2009
10:10 am
Absolutely, I am orginally from Dallas, home of Southwest, this is only airline I flew before moving to ATL. Am looking forward to not getting nickled and dimed to death. The price you see is not the price you pay.
Dawg Foot
August 11th, 2009
10:19 am
@ Lisa:
I don’t care the SW flight attendents are “easy” as long as they look good. Delta’s flight attendents are a bunch of pigs.
leah
August 11th, 2009
10:20 am
I love Southwest. They are a great airline. I never had any problems with them. Before I moved to ATL, I would send my child to visit her grandparents using Southwest. There were no bs charges for her to fly alone. Delta and American wanted to charge me $100 each way plus the cost of the ticket! That’s outrageous! Even with the tickets on sale that would have still put my total over $500 to go to D.C. No thanks. I really miss SWA $49 deals.
KDMack
August 11th, 2009
10:23 am
GREAT! ie: Lisa your “marriage” was already over men stray because they are not happy at home. You can’t blame an airline for your trainwreck of a marriage. Please have some class and move the on… SW ROCKS!!!
ADL
August 11th, 2009
10:27 am
I flew SW a lot when I lived out west. SW will kick Delta’s @$$.
And I’ll be flying SW just because Lisa won’t be!!!
CECS
August 11th, 2009
10:31 am
after how I was treated on my first and only flight on Southwest, I would NEVER step foot in there. Delta is much better!
Passenger II
August 11th, 2009
10:32 am
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Kim
August 11th, 2009
10:35 am
Lisa: they’re not called VDs any more, hon. Haven’t been since the bad old 80s. Also, “when you go #1″? How old are you that you can’t say PEE? Dang. Finally, *she’s* easy?? It takes two to tango.
LOVE SWA!!!!
Slick
August 11th, 2009
10:36 am
I previously lived in the Southwestern US and flew this airline on a regular basis. I truly love their attitude and excellent operation. Thye could teach Delta a thing or two. Competition never hurts.
Allison
August 11th, 2009
10:38 am
ABSOLUTELY!! it would be excellent if SWA would finally come to ATL. I’m so tired of Delta and their overpriced fares and unsatisfactory service.
Southwest Fan
August 11th, 2009
10:38 am
I have flown Southwest out of Birmingham many times because their discount fares were worth the drive to Alabama. They are a well-managed airline, with terrific customer service, they should be a welcome addition that creates stronger competition between carriers at Hartsfield-Jackson.
Fed Up Taxpayer
August 11th, 2009
10:39 am
SWA, get here as fast as you can! Yes, yes, and more yes! I’ll fly it in a heartbeat!
j
August 11th, 2009
10:46 am
YES! This is great. If they come to Atlanta, they’ll be my airline of choice. I’ve driven over to B’mingham SEVERAL times…this is great. AND, they’re a well-run airline. Who could ask for more than that!?!?!?
Airsky
August 11th, 2009
10:49 am
Southwest will come to ATl and it will be a minimal impact. There isn’t the gate space to do what they have in Denver and other cities plus they will not be flying to anywhere that Airtran Delta Spirit or a host of others don’t fly. And don’t be fooled there pricing isn’t always the lowest its just that they have gotten good at convincing people they are. Yes they will serve here but it will be to a very very very select city grouping. And iuf you think Southwest will hand Delta an ass whooping here in ATL then you clearly dont understand the airline industry.
Shirl Baggett
August 11th, 2009
10:51 am
Please, please bring SW here, Delta is horrible they treat the customers so bad. I have flown SW when I worked in phonex and loved it.They are so customer friendly they bend over backwards to help you.
Air Tran is gettig as bad as Delta with customer Service also.
Bring SW on.
Fast Eddie
August 11th, 2009
10:52 am
If they come to Atlanta, I’m submitting an application for employment! I currently work @ DL…..
J's Girl
August 11th, 2009
11:01 am
I work for Delta and would fly SW just to see my family in the Austin/Round Rock area of Texas.
Fly Delta Jets
August 11th, 2009
11:02 am
Southwest won’t be able to build a hub here. Any of their flights out of Atlanta only will feed their other hubs at BHM, BWI, or DAL. Atlanta is Delta and Airtran territory. These two hometown competitors will make for interesting bedfellows in keeping SW at bay on their home turf.
michelle
August 11th, 2009
11:05 am
yes, please come to ATL i am sick of Delta and their overpriced tickets to anywhere. I never flew SW, but have heard good things about them.
I would fly with them in a heartbeat.
Darren
August 11th, 2009
11:06 am
We need SW airlines in the ATL!
iT IS ABOUT TIME
August 11th, 2009
11:06 am
YES ,YES AND YES
Mike
August 11th, 2009
11:07 am
I flew Southwest once and hated it. I felt like cattle being led to slaughter when boarding the plane. That said, anything that brings fares down is good, I guess. I’d still pay a bit more to fly Airtran or Delta, but I wouldn’t just pay anything to avoid Southwest.
Rich
August 11th, 2009
11:10 am
Great Airline!! When I lived out west flew them almost exclusively, Excellent customer service, both on the ground and in the air. They still care about their travelers and it shows. Welcome to Atlanta.
Glenn
August 11th, 2009
11:11 am
Low cost is great for the current economy and for all consumers overall. Competition is a good thing!
Bob
August 11th, 2009
11:14 am
Sure will. We too have driven to Birmingham to save rather than fly Delta. Be good to have them here.
Two million miler
August 11th, 2009
11:15 am
The Delta fares are bordering on absolute theft. You can almost get a coach ticket to Europe for the same amount as a two-hour domestic flight. C’mon Southwest!
TomG
August 11th, 2009
11:18 am
Competition always makes for better service and lower fares! I say yes!