FlyOakland2IAH From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 64 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 2291 times:
I saw some new Southwest TV ads when watching the Cal-Tennesse game last night. The theme was "It's like having your own company plane" with all their non-stops. A couple of ads took digs at regional jets, one showing a flight attendant practically on her knees in a tiny aircraft interior so that she could keep her head from bumping the ceiling. Then the voiceover states that all Southwest flights are on "roomy 737s". Times have changed now that 737s are considered "roomy".
But it seems that Southwest is trying to distinguish itself from the pack by advertising better service, rather than just low fares.
Any thoughts on the new Southwest ads?
I'll be without Internet until tomorrow night, looking forward for comments.
Floorrunner From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 259 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 2171 times:
Quoting FlyOakland2IAH (Thread starter): But it seems that Southwest is tryingrnto distinguish itself from the pack by advertising better service,rnrather than just low fares.
They are also advertising that they do not charge any re booking fees.
SirOmega From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 735 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 2160 times:
ever since a month or two ago when the wn blog mentioned the no fees for changing fares I've seen more ads for that too (I'm at midway now and I just saw a big ad).
SPREE34 From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 2097 posts, RR: 10 Reply 3, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 2142 times:
Quoting FlyOakland2IAH (Thread starter): Southwest is trying to distinguish itself from the pack by advertising better service, rather than just low fares.
That should be an easy distinction to make. The truth is usually an easy sell.
Quoting Floorrunner (Reply 1): They are also advertising that they do not charge any re booking fees.
That will hit home with the business guy who is tired of getting raped every time his plans change.
I never saw a perception that the 737 wasn't roomy. Not "big" maybe, as for a time (70s-80s)it seemed people got used to airliners being half full DC-8s, 10s, and L1011s. A 3/4 full E145 sure isn't roomy.
I don't understand everything I don't know about this.
TWAL10114ever From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 62 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 2113 times:
Quoting FlyOakland2IAH (Thread starter): But it seems that Southwest is trying to distinguish itself from the pack by advertising better service, rather than just low fares.
Yes, not nickel and diming your passengers to death by charging $3 for a package of trail mix among other things can go a long way. I know I don't appreciate having to pay a $10 reservation fee if I need the assistance of a reservation's agent. WN's service used to be average among airlines, but they have done a smart thing in my mind, haven't changed that a bit and now compared to almost any other airline, their service comes out on top at no extra cost to the company.
AeroWesty From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 18883 posts, RR: 64 Reply 5, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 2100 times:
Quoting FlyOakland2IAH (Thread starter): The theme was "It's like having your own company plane" with all their non-stops.
SPREE34 From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 2097 posts, RR: 10 Reply 6, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 2066 times:
"It's like having your own company plane" The phrase is different than I remember from "The Company Plane" days.
Even if the theme is 20 years old, Southwest is smacking the dog squeeze out of the other carriers when it comes to delivering the product, and quality of product.
I don't understand everything I don't know about this.
InnocuousFox From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 2805 posts, RR: 16 Reply 7, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 1984 times:
Quoting Floorrunner (Reply 1): They are also advertising that they do not charge any re booking fees.
Quoting SPREE34 (Reply 3): That will hit home with the business guy who is tired of getting raped every time his plans change.
Been there. I had to change flights 4 times in 3 days when on a contract one time. The rebooking fee alone was $50 back then (1998). Thankfully, my client was paying for it. I've also had to push a few back by a few hours.
Dave Mark - Intrinsic Algorithm - Reducing the world to mathematical equations!
ArcrftLvr From United States of America, joined Nov 2006, 782 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1911 times:
As soon as other airlines recognize the $100 change fee causes them to lose business, they may think about eliminating it completely. It's such a b.s. fee. I understand the logic behind it, but what ends up happening is their most frequent travelers (best customers) get screwed.
AirframeAS From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 14150 posts, RR: 26 Reply 9, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1903 times:
Quoting FlyOakland2IAH (Thread starter): Then the voiceover states that all Southwest flights are on "roomy 737s".
Maybe this is a counter against Skybus and Virgin America?? Perhaps??
A Safe Flight Begins With Quality Maintenance On The Ground.
Tango-Bravo From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 3725 posts, RR: 31 Reply 10, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 1796 times:
Quoting AirframeAS (Reply 9): Maybe this is a counter against Skybus and Virgin America?? Perhaps??
How would "roomy 737s" be to counter Skybus and Virgin America who fly A319s and A320s? Unless, perhaps, the reference is to more legroom between rows of seats?
HNL-Jack From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 796 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 1772 times:
Just flew Delta's CRJ 900 (Skywest) round trip between SLC and Den and really enjoyed it. Perhaps the cabin isn't as wide as the 737, but the 2 x 2 seating was great with what I perceived to be more leg room than Southwest's 737's.
Grew up in the business and continued the family tradition.
FlyCMH From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 2260 posts, RR: 11 Reply 12, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 1742 times:
Quoting Tango-Bravo (Reply 10): Quoting AirframeAS (Reply 9):
Maybe this is a counter against Skybus and Virgin America?? Perhaps??
How would "roomy 737s" be to counter Skybus and Virgin America who fly A319s and A320s? Unless, perhaps, the reference is to more legroom between rows of seats?
Most definitely. When Skybus launched their advertising spree here, Southwest countered with many of the ads described. The two they used most, however, included a gentleman getting nickle-and-dimed for everything on the plane from opening an overhead bin to lowering a window shade, and a flight attendant describing the cost of everything on the plane, including the ability to push the call button.
ChiGB1973 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 1605 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 1690 times:
Quoting HNL-Jack (Reply 11): Just flew Delta's CRJ 900 (Skywest) round trip between SLC and Den and really enjoyed it. Perhaps the cabin isn't as wide as the 737, but the 2 x 2 seating was great with what I perceived to be more leg room than Southwest's 737's
AirframeAS From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 14150 posts, RR: 26 Reply 14, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 1548 times:
Quoting Tango-Bravo (Reply 10): How would "roomy 737s" be to counter Skybus and Virgin America who fly A319s and A320s? Unless, perhaps, the reference is to more legroom between rows of seats?
Its all about the seat pitch and the service. And see reply #12.
A Safe Flight Begins With Quality Maintenance On The Ground.
SLCUT2777 From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 3861 posts, RR: 11 Reply 15, posted (5 years 8 months 3 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 1391 times:
Quoting FlyOakland2IAH (Thread starter): A couple of ads took digs at regional jets, one showing a flight attendant practically on her knees in a tiny aircraft interior so that she could keep her head from bumping the ceiling.
That has been a trademark of WN advertising for several years. I remember 10-15 years ago when Herb came out dressed as a football referee and made "personal foul" calls against folks dressed as DL gate agents. DL countered with their infamous cattle round-up ad's digging at WN.
Quite interestingly WN has now for several years not advertised at BYU football, yet DL now has a spot on BYU's north scoreboard:
P.S. Go B.Y.U. Cougars!
DELTA Air Lines; The Only Way To Fly from Salt Lake City; Let the Western Heritage always be with Delta!
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From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 64 posts, 
That has been a trademark of WN advertising for several years. I remember 10-15 years ago when Herb came out dressed as a football referee and made "personal foul" calls against folks dressed as DL gate agents. DL countered with their infamous cattle round-up ad's digging at WN.
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