Fly Southwest: MKE to Des Moines, Iowa

I have always understood the anticipation and uncertainty that can accompany planning a trip by air. The myriad of decisions to be made, all the way from selecting our flight to packing our bags. Therefore, I am taking you on a heartfelt, empathetic journey of my own experience from when I flew on a Southwest Airlines flight from Milwaukee to Des Moines.

Sometimes it's a test of patience to find the right airfare, but with Southwest, it turned out to be a smoother ride than I anticipated. I managed to lock in a decent fare after some research, which helped to start the trip on a high note. My better half always insisted on 'direct flights', his rationale being that they save a significant amount of time. Heeding his advice, I booked a non-stop from Milwaukee to Des Moines. And truth be told, it indeed was a blessing, more time in my destination and less idle time waiting in airports.

I am not a frequent flyer, but my sporadic trips have taught me a thing or two about the dynamics of flying. One such insight is the 'best time to book' your flight. It's tempting to wait until the last minute for a cheaper fare, but more often than not, early birds get the worm. I had booked mine a couple of months in advance, and I was proud of the modest dent it made in my wallet.

Once onboard the flight, the pleasantness of Southwest’s in-flight services pleasantly surprised me. The staff was cordial, attentive, ensuring all the passengers were comfortable in their seats. They exuded a sense of warmth that made the flight feel more home-like than an aircraft. Perhaps, the essence of empathetic service, as you might agree, lies in such small nuances.

While it's essential to consider the financial aspects, I like to think of air travel as more than just a cheap or an expensive journey. After all, it's a part of our travel experience. Now, I wouldn't go right to the front of the plane and book the first-class seats, but I’d recommend looking out for deals for upgrading to Premium Economy. But on this particular trip, I chose the simplicity and snugness of the economy class seat.

Another highlight from the trip, which I think needs special mention, was the flight schedule. Like many others, I am not a fan of red-eye flights, and I was relieved to find that Southwest had several daytime flights between Milwaukee and Des Moines. This made the journey less strenuous and more enjoyable.

As for the baggage allowance, Southwest has one of the most generous policies. The allowance to check-in two bags without any extra cost was a joyous revelation. It felt like a respectful nod to the inner over-packer in each one of us.

Flying from Milwaukee, a city that houses a special corner in my heart, to Des Moines, a city whose charm always entices me, the Southwest flight coupled the affection towards these cities with comforting in-flight experience. The journey allowed me to absorb and reflect on these cities' uniqueness with an affordable and witty airline in the background that added to the experience.

After setting foot in Des Moines, the thought of returning struck me, but not with the usual dread attached to the end of a trip. Instead, I was comforted with the thought of another Southwest flight in my near future, and an amusing round-trip was already painted in my mind.