Fly Southwest: RDU to Santa Maria, California

Tighten up your seatbelts, fellow sky-soaring enthusiasts! As we get prepared to jet off on a rather entertaining escapade, let's script an airborne symphony that revolves around the very heartbeat of aviation—the Southwest Airlines. Ready for a spin from Hayes Barton to Santa Maria, or is it perhaps the path from Staatsburg to the same delightful destination? Ah, the very details are elusive as the mercy of an undefined start line. Yet we robustly march forth, jet-fueled by humor and armed with advanced linguistic prowess, as we shall delve deeper into the nuances of this high-flying venture!

Let's cut to the chase. You're seeking flights. Not just any generic flights, but those charmed swift birds of the sky that belong to Southwest Airlines. And the most fascinating bit? You fancy flying from a location that's classified 'top secret' or in a lighter tone, ‘undefined'. This makes it as mysterious as the dark side of the moon or even the Colonel's secret recipe! Well, my adventurous friend, fortune favors the curious and with Southwest, you could be tracking night clouds like a dream!

Wondering about the different types of flights? Well, pack up your wanderlust and get ready for an airfare-guessing game. If I had a dime for every time someone asked me if taking direct flights was quicker, or if one-way trips were cheaper, I would have been having complimentary cocktails in first-class! For those enlightened through the annals of travel, direct flights and non-stop flights are as different as chalk and cheese. Direct flights may have pitstops—the aviation equivalent of a tea break whereas non-stop flights are that challenging but rewarding gym workout that keeps your heart pumping throughout, no pauses, no intermissions.

Still, curious about one-way vs round-trip mysteries? Brace yourselves for the big reveal–it's a toss-up! Sometimes, the one-way ticket could be your golden ticket to saving some bucks. At other times, embarking on a round-trip adventure could be the economical choice. It really depends on whether you enjoy suspense or certainty. It's a rollercoaster, isn't it?

Here's a tidbit for the budget-hawks out there. Nothing spells savings like cheap flights and flight deals. Yet, remember that the cheapest airfare might not always translate to the smoothest flying experience. It sometimes includes the infamous red-eye flight or an unbelievably long layover (pack enough reading material!). But then, every cloud has a silver lining and layovers could be your ticket to a quick city tour or a snoring contest with fellow passengers. It's all about perspective!

For those who frequent the skies, embracing mileage programs can be a bona fide choice. These are the frequent-flyer boons, the air miles which you can hoard like a dragon hoards gold, and exchange for in-flight services. Just imagine, you might be swirling Merlot on your next flight instead of elbowing a fellow passenger for an armrest. Sounds heavenly, doesn't it?

The safer bet for the frequent flyers would be taking a gander at premium economy or business class. Not only do you get a larger baggage allowance, but the legroom! Ah, that feeling of freedom, stretching like an Olympic athlete. As for those explorers who don-t want to squeeze their uptown lifestyle into the sardine can of economy class, premium economy or first-class is worth a look

But let's cap it all off in style. The best time to book (drumroll, please) is when you feel the call of the skies while being easy on the wallet. Be it last-minute flights or charting out an elaborate air-roadmap, it's your story. After all, isn't flying all about the thrill, the view from the top, and perhaps, the complimentary peanuts?