I compared US-based carriers with non-US based carriers. Southwest, a US-based carrier, competes with other US-based carriers. You're right, Southwest is a great choice if you're flying in the US, but that's not what my post is about. You can't compare Southwest with Cathay Pacific or EVA Airlines because they operate totally different routes.

Same thing regarding EasyJet comments, which is another "niche" airline. Try flying EasyJet from LAX to NRT, for example.

Alaska is pretty decent also, but I usually fly in the west coast market. Southwest prices are often not that great, actually, but their service is always good.

Southwest markets as being cheap. Go compare their prices with the legacy carriers and you will often find they are priced about the same.