This Family Has Been on the Last 30 Inaugural Southwest Flights
March 17, 2019 will be remembered as the day Southwest Airlines finally launched flights to Hawaii. Flight WN6808 departed Oakland at 11:26am and landed in Honolulu at 2:09pm. The flight was complete with hula dancing, Mai Tais and plenty of cheering. As special as it was for everyone on board, it was even more special for the Klan family; they've been on the past 30 inaugural Southwest flights.
We got to sit down with the Klan family during the flight, and they actually have a pretty funny story as to how they ended up as some of Southwest's most loyal flyers.
Tim Klan used to be "scared to death of flying" until after he married Holly. He flew Southwest because the airline flew the biggest planes in the Erie, PA, area where the family was based. In fact, Tim said that one time he drove seven hours to Chicago Midway (MDW) just to take a Southwest nonstop flight instead of a connecting flight on another airline. That's dedication!
Not long after that, the Klans got "addicted to travel" (we can relate!), and someone asked them if they had been on an inaugural flight — they're one big party, after all. After the Klans' first inaugural, they were hooked — and after our experience on board the flight today, we can see why.
As for the Klans' advice for Southwest flyers? They highly recommend Early Bird check-in, especially if you don't have elite status. They've been the last people on the plane before, but now they know the ins and outs of the airline. They even had the best seats in the house for our flight: Row 1, with plenty of legroom. Better yet, they used their Companion Pass for their son, Mark. This is definitely a win in our book.
The Klans will be on the inaugural Southwest flight from Oakland (OAK) to Maui (OGG) on April 7, so be sure to say hi!
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