Worst of three options - spirit, southwest, frontier

[Anonymous]

I have to fly one way home from the west coast to Florida - so 4.5 hours. There are three airlines that do the route nonstop - spirit, frontier and southwest. This is for work, so cost is no issue, and I can upgrade to "business" or whatever big seats they may possible offer. And I don't care about fees either. My biggest concern is just having to spend 5 hours on a terrible, uncomfortable plane where there's no true business class.

My choices are Frontier redeye. Or Spirit or Southwest flight the next day, leaving late afternoon. I have zero desire to spend an extra day in the destination; I just want to get home early. So if the redeye the night before were on any normal airline with business class, I'd do that in a heart beat to just get home a day early.

Does anyone have any insight on whether any of these three airlines have marginally more comfortable flying experiences (assuming you get the largest seats)?

[Anonymous]

I would try and check the on time departure rate of each of these flights. My biggest concern would be the flight getting massively delayed or cancelled.

[Anonymous]

Omg Southwest no question

[Anonymous]

I believe you can pay extra to buy the comfier seats with extra legroom on Frontier. It's not true business class but it's something.

[Anonymous]

Southwest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Omg Southwest no question

+1000

This is like asking if you should eat from a dumpster, a private residence trash can, or go to Applebees. Applebees is FINE.

[Anonymous]

Southwest without a doubt

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Omg Southwest no question

Are you saying Southwest is the "worst of the three options?"

It's been years since I've flown on any of these airlines, but my memory says Southwest would be the best.

[Anonymous]

We prefer southwest over all airlines.

Spirit and frontier are far worse.

[Anonymous]

Southwest. By far - free checked luggage! Kinder service! Why wouldn’t you if you’re traveling alone?

I don’t think Frontier even owns planes. They just sell tickets and then run away.

[Anonymous]

SW should not even be in the same sentence with the other two. It’s one of our preferred airlines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Omg Southwest no question

Are you saying Southwest is the "worst of the three options?"

It's been years since I've flown on any of these airlines, but my memory says Southwest would be the best.

Honestly, I don't think Southwest should even be listed in the same category as the other 2 airlines. I have to fly Frontier later this month for timing reasons and I am already expecting it to be terrible. I would love to be on SW instead. I flew Spirit once to FL and won't ever do it again.

[Anonymous]

just book early in the morning if possible, from a major airport. Preferably a hub for whichever airline you choose- as the "hub" airlines get priority. Early morning flights decrease chances of delays. And be prepared for their luggage policies -

if you do these things you will minimize unpleasant surprises on all airlines.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! I know southwest is considered the best, but so much better that it's worth staying a whole extra day? (which is a huge inconvenience for me - professionally and personally).

Can anyone comment on the "big" seats on these planes?

[Anonymous]

Agree with Southwest, but Frontier was fine the couple of times I took it. Once I started to book on Spirit because it was way cheaper, but once you add all the fees (even without checked bags) it was more than the better airlines, and I know it has a bad reputation.