Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 or American Airlines MD 80?

Question

I'm planning a trip from Burbank,CA to San Luis,MO. I can either fly from burbank to Dallas on an American MD80 and change planes to another MD80. Another option is taking Southwest from Burbank to Phoenix and changing planes in Phoenix to go to San Luis. Southwest uses a boeing 737-700. Does anybody know which is a better option? Both airlines are the same price. This is a roundtrip ticket. I have heard horrer stores about MD80s. Many people say that MD80s are unstable, bumpy and very noisy. I really like boeing 737-700s.

I'm an American Airlines frequent flyer. While with Southwest I won't get frequent flyer miles. I'm worried about getting sick or motion sickness on a MD-80.

Answer 1

As an air traffic controller working eastbound departures off of the Chicago Metro area airports, I see all types of air carier aircraft. Given your choices, the hands down selection should be the B737-700. The -700 will fly fast and higher than the MD82/MD83 that AAL flies. On the whole, both airlines are quite the professionals when we deal with them, but we know the B737's and B738's that SWA flies will outperform nearly all other aircraft. Good luck.

Addendum; To Steven H, I do stand corrected. Southwest does not fly the -800 model of the B737. "AmTran", otherwise known to the flying public as ATA, are the operators out of MDW that fly -800 models. But I assure all, I AM an air traffic controller from the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center. Feel free to contact me if you require further proof of credentials.

Answer 2

Go with American! American is a full service airline while Southwest is a Low Cost airline, Service will be much better with American. The MD-80s are very quiet as long as you dont seat in the last few rows since the engines are in the back of the plane. Americans MD-80s have very good leg room for coach, much better than Southwest airlines. Southwest has crazy policies and you might end up getting kicked off your flight. I have had a bad experience with Southwest and will never fly them. American treats their customers like people unlike Southwest.
Fly American! The plane is more comfortable and the airline will treat you better.

Answer 3

go with the boeing 737-700, southwest has a lot better service than American unless you are a frequent flyer trough american, i in that case go with american,

Answer 4

American is better than Southwest.

Answer 5

Take the 737....the MD's are NOISY and they are older than Dallas itself. If you go on Southwest, I think you'll at least get a snack. I don't think those legacy carriers give out snacks anymore; much less those pretzels.

Answer 6

In my opinion, makes nor darn difference. As long as you get from point A to point B in one piece and the fastest.....who really cares about the aircraft. And it is not a 10 hrs + flight anyway.
Service counts the most today in this industry.

Answer 7

American Airlines is a professional airline, to where Southwest Airlines don't care about their airline staying in buisness.