Fly Southwest: MDW to South Bend, Indiana

Oh, the joys of flying! Tight seat belts, friendly skies and of course, the greatest and oldest airborne tradition of them all... the chance to stand in long lines for security checks. If you're anything like me, you're already excited about firing up your mobile device and tapping into Southwest Airlines’ online portal for our upcoming trip from the great undefined in Chicago to South Bend. So, dust off your suitcase and get ready for those flight schedules!

Now, I'm going to drop some facts about Southwest Airlines that might just tickle your aviation curiosity. They, my dear readers, are the grand Tam O’Shanters of “Direct Flights”. What’s a Tam O’Shanter you ask? Well, it’s an enthusiastic Scot that throws a darn good party. Basically, when you book with Southwest, chances are you'll get to your destination with nary a layover in sight. I mean, if spending a couple hours in a random airport wasn't on your travel bucket list, Southwest might just be your new best buddy. I promise this isn't a sponsored post. I'm just an enthusiast.

Moving on, let's chat about the dreaded phrase for budget-conscious travelers- airfare! I know, I can almost hear your wallets whimpering. But here's a little secret- it does not have to be intimidating. Not sure where you stand on the whole “One-way” vs “Round-trip” debate? Just might be shifting in your seat at this point (just like on a red-eye flight, am I right!). But don’t fret, at Southwest they’re all about giving you options. That’s right. In a one-way vs round-trip standoff, it’s you who emerges as the proverbial hero. Pick whichever works best for you, because Southwest is more than an airline, it’s a place of supportive friends. Any fan of freedom and economical pricing can say amen to that!

Including the word "Economy Class" here is a great chance to drop another humorous anecdote: according to a recent survey, most people thought "Economy Class" included a crash course on global economics in the air. Imagine, soaring through the sky with your in-flight meal while calculating GDP and understanding inflation. Southwest might've taken in-flight services to dizzying heights, but we’re not quite there just yet. But hey, who knows what the future of flying holds?

Finally, before tucking yourself in for your flight, let's talk about the “Flight cancellation policy”. Southwest Airlines has given this dreaded policy a makeover. It’s no longer a foreboding document stuffed full of oodles of ominous legal jargon. So, if your plans change (because a woman’s right to change her mind is practically constitutional) you can cancel your flight up to 10 minutes before departure. You heard that right – 10 whole minutes. That’s less time than it takes to decide what cafés you’re going to grace with your presence in South Bend.

So, keep these hilarious truths and factoids in mind the next time you book with Southwest from undefined in Chicago to the beautiful South Bend. And if you hear someone chuckling behind you in the security line, just know, it’s probably a fellow traveler who's just read this blog. Safe travels!