Setting all the recent issues aside, I remember a time when I would always check Southwest Airlines for flight options before any other airline and they’d often win my business. For the last ~5 years I don’t even bother. Their prices are at best the same as all the other major airlines (just as likely to be more expensive) and their flight schedules are just okay. I don’t understand how Southwest is maintaining market share (perhaps it’s not).

For me, they happen to have direct flights to my preferred airports and their cancellation policy provides a great peace of mind having the option of canceling a flight 10 minutes prior to departure and just rescheduling for later.

They win (won) my business chiefly because of checked bag policy. Even with 2 free checked bags, their prices are competitive. I do hope they recover from this mess.

They have an incredible loyal customer base despite some of the recent bad publicity. Also seems like if the price and schedule are the same, generally Southwest provides a better experience.

It's the stroller airline. If you have kids it's a good deal.

Not quite true anymore. The average scheduled turn is closer to 35 minutes on 700 aircraft and 40+ on 800s. Still much shorter than legacy carriers