Poll : 25 February - 10 March 2009

Analysis

With a 758-vote/26% lead, Southwest won by the biggest margin of any poll we’ve run to date, aside from the one we ran on 10/07/08 when we asked you if you’d ever ever been to Vegas and not gambled (yeah, right!)

Depending on where you live, some people have little option in terms of what airlines are available to them on the Vegas route, but for those who do have a choice, the main factors that you take into account are pretty consistent, although not always in the same order. These include cost, whether or not the flight is direct (a very important consideration to many), schedules, frequent flier rewards, flexibility with itinerary changes, baggage policies, and politeness of staff, and Southwest scored high on all points, as summed up by the first of the readers whose comments we’ll quote below. (With over 120 emails, sadly we only have space to share some of them, but all feedback was much appreciated):

• "Why I fly Southwest Airlines: 1.) Usually Southwest has the lowest fares; 2.) It's 25 mi. to the airport vs. 45 mi. for most other airlines; 3.) Southwest has a better rewards program than others; 4.) Frequent flights between HOU and LAS; 5.) Least restrictive baggage policy; 6.) You can still get blankets and pillows without charge; 7.) The even give you extra peanuts, if you ask for them."


• "You can’t beat Southwest Airlines fares and routing from almost anywhere in the U.S."


• "Westjet is the only way to travel to Las Vegas from Canada. They are the only airline providing direct flights. They have competitive prices and great seat sales as well."


• "I fly to LV from Boston, and there are no really good stand-alone flight prices right now with either US Air or JetBlue. US Air does have a great hotel-air combo with direct flights and 5 nights at the Fitz for under $300 pp/do and $375 solo. It costs about $375 RT for indirect flights. In January, on US Air, I had to pay for soda and water. That is truly revolting. I’m flying JetBlue early March and will be delighted to have free Dunkin Donuts coffee with a splash of fresh cream. Love the TVs and wake-up towels on JetBlue red-eye flights."


• "We travel Northwest. Not happy with them, but quickest way to get to and from Vegas at reasonable times."


• "Allegiant: Can't beat the bottom line cost from free parking (right there over $100 is saved to spend in Vegas) to more convenient access than using O'Hare. You don't feel like you are in a cattle call and every staff member we have dealt with has been cordial. The only downside is leaving Vegas at 6 a.m., which means getting to the airport at 4 a.m. But, on the plus side, it's not very crowded at that time."


• "I used to use American Airlines exclusively because of frequent flyer miles and quality service. They had a direct flight from my city to Las Vegas, but that ended years ago, so I then used America West, since acquired by US Airways. I prefer the traditional reserve seating system to Southwest's stand-in-line boarding system."


• "The only airlines I use to go between Charlotte NC and LV is USAIR. This is strictly because they have non-stops flights several times daily between these two cities."


• "We use Allegiant because it’s a direct flight…the price is ALWAYS right…and I hate to fly, but can handle the 1 hour flight. With their low fares and our slot club comps…I have gotten a trip for 5 days for under $500. It just takes some planning and timing. And their people are always fun and friendly."


• "I live in the East Cost and I use Continental because of the many flights available daily at different hours, it's direct flights and specially the price, from the New Jersey/New York area prices are very competitive with other airlines."


• "Why I like Southwest to Vegas? Non-stop flights. Also, earning 2-3 free flights a year doesn’t suck."


• "Please don't for