Fly Southwest: AUA to Sanford, Florida

Oh, joy! Get ready for a magical carpet ride. No, we aren’t Aladdin and you aren’t Jasmine. Instead, we're talking about jetting off in an aluminum tube from the island paradise of Oranjestad to the quaint city of Sanford on Southwest. Fun times await, so strap in and hold onto your hats. And by fun, I mean hours of leg-numbing inactivity. But hey, you get to do it all over again on your return if you've embraced the joys of the round-trip ticket.

Don’t you just love the name, "Southwest?" It exudes such luxury, like spending your summer vacation crammed with dozens of others in economy class – the embodiment of the high-life, naturally. Still, on the bright side, you savored the airfare deal, right? Because affordability is the closest thing to comfort in an economy class, one might argue.

Now, you could hope for the sleek wings of a non-stop flight to get you from point A to point B, kissing goodbye to those pesky layovers. Ah, the wonder of flying for hours on end without a break. As if sitting for an eternity wasn't fun enough on its own, you also get to enjoy the in-flight services. These include complimentary drinks – water in a cup no bigger than a thimble, to be exact. So hydrating!

But let's spare a thought for those who don't have the luxury of straight-line travel. Layovers and connecting flights are a riot! Imagine the thrill of sprinting through an unfamiliar airport, boarding pass clenched in your sweaty fists, heart pounding as the clock counts down. Such adrenaline! Who needs bungee jumping or skydiving when you have the mirth of a layover experience?

Have I mentioned the fun-packed frenzy of the baggage department? Whether you’re playing the "will they/won’t they" game with your luggage showing up on time, or waiting with bated breath for that ego-boosting beep as your massively oversized suitcase fails to meet the weight limits, it’s another layer of excitement added to your travel itinerary.

Now, first-class might take the sparkle out of the majority of this fun I've detailed, but where’s the sport in that? Oh, sure, the longer flight duration might just pass like a breeze with all their complimentary gourmet meals and luxurious leg room. But remember, nothing makes a hard-earned vacation sweeter than the sheer joy of overcoming economy class hardships.

You know what they say about the best time to book, don’t you? No, not when there are discounts or cheap flights available, but the pinnacle of planning – a last-minute flight! Thrill-seeking at its best. You clearly haven’t lived until you experience the rollercoaster rush of not knowing whether you will be airborne or not. True adventure, one might argue.

But relax, as you descend in Sanford, Southwest’s flight cancellation policy also adds a spice of unpredictability. You know, just to keep the guessing game going—"Will I return as scheduled or enjoy an unscheduled extended vacation?"

Signing up for the frequent flyer mileage program is the proverbial cherry on the cake. Rack up those points, my lovelies, for doing nothing more than cramming yourself into overpriced metal tubes regularly. Isn’t that just the ultimate vacation dream?

So, dear traveler, as you ready yourself for this exciting journey with Southwest, who could be blamed if your heart skips a beat with anticipation? Air travel - isn't it just divine?