Southwest is the Ticket

There isn’t much travel going on in the United States right now. With the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in so many states, as well as the fact that most external countries are not allowing US citizens to enter without a mandatory 14-day quarantine; most American’s are staying home. Many of those who do travel are enjoying road trips in their cars, as this method of travel affords much less exposure to other individuals and the potential viruses they may carry.

Southwest Airlines is the Best Airline to Fly During the Summer of COVID-19

We’ve made a decision to limit our family travel this summer to the western half of the United States. If we are going to be driving somewhere, I don’t want to spend extended time behind the wheel. Frankly, I just don’t enjoy it. If we do drive to a destination, I try to limit our time 4-5 hours max per segment, and break up the road trip.

If we fly somewhere (four individual flights so far this summer) our informal rule is to keep the flight less than two hours if possible and, so far, no connection flights. Service has been greatly reduced on most airlines and food and drink options are usually water and a snack on shorter flights, and maybe a boxed lunch on longer, higher class of service flights. Most airlines are requiring a mask be worn during the flight and that is another element that reduces the carefree enjoyment of flying. For the record, I am glad that the airlines are requiring masks on flights. They reduce potential contagion and increase safety. Nothing to argue about during a pandemic.

Our four flights have been from Sacramento California, to Portland Oregon and return. Three of those flights have been on Southwest and one of them on Alaska Airlines. I’m 75K MVP GOLD with Alaska, there highest elite tier, and would normally select them as my carrier of choice. But the current pandemic has changed our calculus on which carriers we fly.

Flying Southwest out of Sacramento California

The first issue we’ve had in taking Alaska is that they’ve really reduced their routing and schedules between normally serviced cities. Portland is a hub for Alaska, and before the COVID-19 situations, I would expect to find three to four flights a day between the Sacramento and Portland city pairs. During June that went down to two flights a day. The latest of those two flights was 1:30pm. Southwest on the other hand has been conducting three flights a day, with the latest one leaving at 6:30pm. Cranky Flyer’s Brett Snyder has also noticed Southwest Airlines willingness to offer more flights than many of the legacy carriers with posts here, and here on the subject.

Southwest has Decent Leg Room for a Low Cost Carrier

Additionally, Alaska has been flying this route with the E175 aircraft. Now normally I love the Embraer E-175 on Alaska Airlines. Frequently I can get upgraded with an Alaska Airlines “upgrade cert” to one of the single first-class seats on the left-hand side of the 1+2 up front cabin. If I’m traveling with Susan, we usually are together in first class, or at least in economy comfort with the lovely 2+2 seating. This is opposed to Southwest Boeing 737s, with 3+3 seating. Travelling together as a couple on the Southwest Boeing 737s you would typically end up with a third individual next to you. Of course there is no such thing as first class on Southwest Airlines – so you can forget about ever having a single first-class seat like with Alaska Airlines and other U.S. carriers.

Southwest is Blocking Middle Seats until October 31st

Because of COVID-19, Southwest Airlines is blocking all middle seats which really changes how I feel about flying this carrier. Having a blocked middle seat on a Southwest Airlines 737 is thoroughly roomy and enjoyable. Southwest averages 31-33 inches of pitch and when combined with the extra width of an open middle seat, and the middle arm rests up, you really can proverbially stretch out and relax. If you are deterred by Southwest’s basic soft product service model, don’t worry because all carriers are only offering basic service right now; which is drinking water and a snack.

Another reason I would normally book Alaska Airlines is for the miles and the flight credit towards status. Since Alaska Airlines, as well as the other US carriers, has extended existing status until December 2021, losing out on “status miles” won’t be an issue for most frequent flyers for the rest of 2020. I think an odd move by Alaska Airlines is that they are not rolling credit earned in the second half of 2020 towards 2022 status (normally earned just during 2021 calendar year).

This would in reality cost them very little and would certainly pull demand forward to today verses next year. But nope, no extra status earn on Alaska right now. In fairness, Alaska is bonusing 50% extra Mileage Plan elite-qualifying miles through the and of the year. Southwest on the other hand is doubling flight credit on flights through August 31st, 2020. Normally on Southwest’s less expensive “wanna get away” fares, your Rapid Rewards earn is around a 7.5% of the fare cost in earned points. With this promotion it is closer to 15%, which is just outstanding.

In Flight Water and Snack Service on Southwest

There are a couple other issues with Alaska Airlines right now. Normally MVP75K and MVP Gold status with Alaska gets you priority seating, free bags and top tier customer service. But right now, they have suspended inventory on upgrade certificates, as well as first class upgrades ahead of flight time. These are a couple of elite benefits that I really value, and usually push me to find an Alaska flight that would work for my schedule. I’ve also noticed some instances of highly elevated first-class seat costs, although not consistently. All of this is diminishing Alaska Airlines normally superb loyalty program, Mileage Plan.

Southwest Airlines Really Works on the West Coast

This summer I’ve already flown three flights with Southwest, and I’ve planned another four before August 31st. When you consider Southwest’s guaranteed open middle seats, their relatively impressive route and flight schedule, and that the other US carriers are offering minimal service on shorter flights – it’s hard to ignore Southwest if you’re taking a flight this summer. The empty middle seat guarantee is currently advertised through September 30th 2020, and my guess is that will be extended.