Air Southwest is a small airline based in Plymouth and Newquay and operates between 12 destinations all over the UK and Ireland. During the winter they have also been flying to Grenoble for the skiers in the region. They fly Bombardier dash 8 Q300 aircraft - this translates as a prop plane with 50 seats on board with the same seat layout as you would find on most coaches - two on the left and two on the right. For your convenience there is a lavatory and washroom at the front of the cabin.

I flew from Plymouth to London Gatwick, travelling out on Saturday morning and returning the Same day on the last flight. The service is very regular - you can travel on this route up to four times a day, every day day of the week and the flights normally go at the same time, allowing you to plan your day well in advance. I made the booking very early and got my seats for £39 each way. Like many other airlines, book early or the fares will increase! More about that later.....
Check-in at Plymouth was very easy with friendly ladies on the desk. Plymouth is a tiny airport (no duty free) but the staff are all very welcoming and you can see right out onto the runway and watch your plane arrive. We were ushered on board and took off ten minutes early having been given the normal safety demonstration. This flight operated via Newquay in order to drop passengers off and pick more up, then we were off again, still early, and this time were treated to the trolley service and some banter with the cabin crew. The food on board is pretty basic but not massively overpriced (Four Finger Kit Kat 70p, which is ok....) We landed 20 minutes ahead of schedule at London Gatwick, which of course is much larger and it is quite funny comparing this aircraft to its much larger cousins on the ramp.
The journey back left early too (easy check-in with BA in the North Terminal) and we were back in Plymouth (again via Newquay as it was the last flight of the day) 30 minutes before we were supposed to be!

I really enjoyed this trip, partly because I was visiting friends and was happy anyway, but mostly because the aircraft were clean and tidy, the crew and all the ground staff were really nice and there were no problems with delays - if anything they could have allowed a little more time on the ground and still been well within schedule. The aircraft are what I would term 'pre-loved'; they have obviously been in use for some time and the interior is a little worn in places, but the seats are leather with lots of room for your legs, a nicely positioned tray table and comfortable lap belts.
Like most regional airlines you have to book well in advance to get the lowest fare for the journey, but it was a nice surprise to find that I could carry up to 20kg in the hold without paying any extra and they don't fleece you by then adding taxes and charges to the fare - apart from the credit or debit card charge (fixed per transaction) what you see is what you pay. Change fees and fare upgrades appeared to be in keeping with other airlines though, so as with Flybe it's best to make your plans and stick to them if you possibly can.
I was very impressed with the crew on board - they took the time to speak to everyone and when one lady was unwell on the way back they took special care of her and provided everything she would need very quickly. She was moved to the back of the aircraft for some privacy and so that she would be close to the galley where all the supplies were. This showed laterel thinking and made everyone more comfortable on board.

I would not hesitate to travel with Air Southwest again and even would be prepared to pay a little more if the level of service remained as high! Compared with the trains it is rather more civilised and certainly less stressful than driving.