Fly Southwest: CLT to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Oh joy, another vacation where you’ll spend half of it dealing with an airline. And who really wants to spend a beautiful morning at the Charlotte Airport, staring bleakly out at undefined whilst sipping a lukewarm coffee of questionable quality? But hang on, we're not going to let your spirits dip that low. This time, you're flying Southwest to Myrtle Beach. So, let's add some sparkle to your journey, let's explore the wonder that is Southwest and its offering in 'flights'.

Now, I know most of you road warriors dream of that illustrious "direct flights" experience. No layovers, no sprinting across terminals that probably conveniently double as an Olympic track. Just you, your luggage, hopefully not lost, and an airline journey that happens in the expected "flight duration" printed on your ticket.

The airline has a strong presence in the "domestic flights" department, trumpeting their superiority with non-stop service to a multitude of locations aside from their "International flights." They also boast a "mileage program" that is free to join—and we all know that nothing spells luxury like 'free', am I right? You can earn points to redeem for travel or donate to a charity of your choice—assuming you have one that isn't your own wallet.

Of course, let’s face it. You're not going for 'Premium Economy' or 'First-class'. 'Economy Class' is your badge of honour. It’s a common man’s badge that says, yes, I can tolerate slightly cramped seats and a curious selection on the in-flight menu, for the promise of a cheaper ticket. Savvy traveler, cheap flights hogger, whatever title you wear proudly, Southwest airlines will not disappoint.

Moving on to your 'Baggage Allowance'—who needs that extra pair of shoes anyway? You'll likely be just fine strutting around Myrtle Beach with flip-flops or dancing barefoot in the sand. Southwest offers two checked bags for free, adding another gold star to their list. Somehow, it's easier to enjoy a trip when you're not worried about paying extra for every sock that tipped the scale past the baggage limit.

Unless you’re a superhero who's mastered the art of vision through walls, you won’t have the faintest idea about what's happening up there in the cockpit. But you won't need to, because the cheery pilots make regular announcements about the "flight schedule" with a peppiness that could probably fuel the plane. Maybe that's Southwest's secret behind their fuel efficiency?

And finally, let’s just touch upon the little cherub of airline experiences, the 'flight cancellation policy'. Southwest doesn't charge any change fees. Absolutely none. So, you can change your flights without offering up your first-born or sacrificing your monthly savings to the airline gods. Gone are the shivers up your spine at the mere mention of words like "non-refundable" and "change fees".

All this leaves you only one question—when is the "best time to book"? Well, just wait for their comically named 'Wanna Get Away' fare sales, because who doesn't love a little humor with their bargain hunting, right?

So, consider yourself enlightened, traveler. Cheers to new learning, right from the nucleus of the Southwest universe. Now pop your expenses into your next excel sheet, cabin bag in hand, and stride with that experienced smirk to your Southwest flight gate. As you'll soon, thankfully, discover, not all airline experiences need to be a scene from a disaster movie.