Anyone used AirTran?

[Praise2Him]

AirTran has a really good deal on airfare from Atlanta to Orlando, but knowing that they merged with ValueJet makes me leery of them. Has anyone used them lately and what was your experience?

[Meagansmom]

We have used Air Tran only once. We flew from Omaha to Orlando. I can't say anything bad about the flight or the service. They are now flying out of Minneapolis but I do know that I will try to get on another flight instead of using Air Tran only a/c their fly times. They were to compete with NWA but they awful times. Just my opinion. I think someone like Beverly Lynn or TravelSheryl can give you more information.

[MICOL]

We used them in April to Myrtle Beach from Boston. Arrived at the gate for our 6:30 flight at 5:30 and was told flight cancelled. no warning AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, never again would I use them. Just one person's opinion.

[Beverly Lynn]

htey did not merge with valuejet. they bought their routes and some equipment. thats it.

they are horrible at reacommodating you if the flt is cancelled or delayed. they have horrible customer svc. their flts are delayed a lot. they leave a lot to be desired.

[bicker]

How AirTran came about and ValuJet ceased to exist is apparently a continuously controversial subject, and one most likely only suitable for the Debate Board. (It was indeed on the Debate Board just before the switchover to the new software.) It is sufficient to say that people disagree about what Beverly said, above, concerning the extent to which AirTrain is ValuJet, and really, the dispute is completely irrelevant to this thread and probably shouldn't be discussed further here.

The major point, regarding AirTran, is that they don't have any Rule 240-like agreements with other airlines, so they don't have the same flexibility to re-accommodate you should they encounter a schedule irregularity (delay).

Generally, AirTran tends to rate rather poorly in terms of in-flight comfort, especially as compared to American Airlines, for example. Leg room is a major factor in the negative assessments of AirTran that I've read.

I haven't heard any major concerns raised about AirTran from a safety stand point.

They ARE very inexpensive, though.

[rhw]

We have flown Airtran every time we have gone to Florida. Have never had a flight cancelled and the only delays were out of Orlando because of fog or storm. They even held the plane in Atlanta for 11 of us because of the delay in Orlando and it was the last flight out of Atlanta that night. We were escorted directly to the waiting plane. It was great. We even got into Bloomington on schedule. The kids were invited into the cockpit after the plane landed and given wings. They don't serve a very good snack though, so we usually take very salty chips to help with any motion sickness. The price is always great. The only problem is having to drive an hour to get to the airport, but I guess if the rates weren't that cheap, I would have to drive all the way to Florida.

[travelcoupons]

This question gets asked a lot, so here we go again:

Having flown out of Atlanta on both Airtran and Delta, if given the choice I would choose Airtran based on my experiences with both.

I have had nothing but good experiences with them customer service wise and have had both good and really bad customer service (or lack of) with Delta. My flights on Airtran were on time and the really nice thing was the plane wasn't jam packed like my Delta flights (same route) ATL - JAX. So you had a little more elbow room. Legroom is same on delta and airtran. Delta is also famous for letting you sit on the plane for hours at the gate in Atlanta with the a/c off .

They both fly old planes, but Airtran has brand new 717's also.

Not that it should matter anymore, because it was several years ago,but Airtran / Valujet did "merge" (see the Securities & Exchange commission website link below:)
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1024806/0000931763-98-000002.txt

On July 10, 1997, the Company (Valujet) entered into a merger agreement with Airways
Corporation ("Airways"). Under the merger agreement, the Company acquired
Airways on November 17, 1997 through a merger of Airways with and into the
Company (the "Merger"). In connection with the Merger, the Company changed its
name to AirTran Holdings, Inc. In anticipation of the Merger, the name of
ValuJet Airlines was changed to AirTran Airlines, while Airways' operating
subsidiary, AirTran Airways Inc. ("AirTran"), will continue to operate under its
current name.

[horseshowmom]

We've flown Air Tran many, many times with very little problems (my worst ever flight experience was with Delta, but I would still fly with them if the price was right). Every problem has been handled by customer service. For example, I made reservations for one flight several months ahead of time. AirTran changed their schedule (all airlines do that), and my flight time was changed. I told them it wasn't acceptable, but I could stay an extra day in Orlando (oh, the sacrifice!) and leave the next day instead. They changed my flight to when I wanted AND paid my extra day's rental car charge. The other couple of problems were minor, but they gave me a $25 voucher each of those times.

[Beverly Lynn]

well tc I guess as an employee of air tran I knew nothing. and they lied to all of us. and the papers they showed us were all fake. and this came from some of the employees of air tran/valuejet as well. they showed us all how they bought the routes from valuejet and some of the aircraft (dc9's) and they no longer have running 737's value jet ceased operations on their own they were not shut down. (this is how air tran was able to purchase all their routes and aircraft after a few years of being inoperable. )and they were also found not guilty of the crash in the everglades sabre systems was the guilty party for sending thru filled oxygen cannisters and telling the airline they were empty.........so I guess as usual I know nothing.

[Brer-Rabbit]

I know I will probably get blasted for this, but do you belive everything you read? When we hear info from a cm on the rumors board we usually trust it to be true, why not the same way when an airline employee tells us something? I think BL knows the story......

[Disnydad]

We flew AirTran twice out of Albany, NY before the ValueJet flap. They were fine. One time we were delayed about an hour on take off from Albany. They had to deice the plane but AirTran did not have any deicing equipment. Their planes seemed old too. I remember looking at the certificate up by the attendents station. They had to have a United truck come over, but only after it had done all the United planes first. They have since left the Albany market.

I believe Bicker is right on this one. ValueJet bought Airtran and changed their name to get away from the bad publicity they had at the time. I remember following it with my broker at the time. The last time I brought this up, my post got deleted though. Such is life.

[travelcoupons]

Disnydad, you would have been on one of the old 737's owned by the original Airtran. They should all be phased out by midyear.

As of the first of April, Airtran has in service:
33 DC-9's (Older planes many originally from Valujet)
19 B-717's (New planes which they are adding and phasing out the 737's and DC-9's)
4 B-737's (Older planes originally from Airtran)

They will be up to 30 B-717's by the end of the year when the new planes that are on order are delivered, and the 737's should be all gone.

[bicker]

Originally posted by Disnydad
I believe Bicker is right on this one.Uh, I want to point out, vehemently, that all I've said in this thread is that there is a disagreement about this and that discussions about it are best saved for the Debate Board. My understanding is that such discussions are not appropriate for the Transportation Board, and so consequently I will not discuss it here.

[Beverly Lynn]

Air Tran is the old Florida Air hence the 2 letter code of FL. Air Tran is not old value jet. but then again people will believe what they want. and they have no 737's operating now. they are all gone. many of the dc9's are from florida air. they have approx 10 from value jet. in fact I just called out to the airport and confirmed this with dispatch.

[CarolA]

I realize that everyone is entitled to their feelings, but my feeling on Airtran is it walks like a duck and it looks like a duck so.... I don't see much difference between Airtran, Value Jet and some of the other start up airlines. My experiences on all of them have been mixed. By two biggest issues are that they are REALLY hesitant to reaccomdodate you on the other airlines ( I always thought it was just because they have to pay the other airlines) and they have LOUSY frequent flyer programs. I realize that if you don't fly a lot, frequent flyer is not an issue, but it is to me!

As far as saftey I don't worry too much about that. Based on what I have heard from airline employees the FAA actually watches these airlines more than the big boys!

[travelcoupons]

All this talk about Valujet's planes got me wondering where their planes are now. It took some research and digging but I accounted for all but one of the DC-9's which Valujet owned and used. Every plane has a unique serial number which you can track. When an airline acquires a plane, it is given a N-number. When the plane is sold to another airline, it gets another N-number but the serial number always stays the same. Next time you fly, if you look on the tail of the plane, there will be a N-number. You can use this number to find out the serial number and with the serial number you can find out the history of the plane. Anyway, here's the list and where they are now...as of the time of this list Airtran still owned 38 of the original Valujet's DC-9's. They say on their website that they are now down to 33, so 5 of these have been eliminated since the time of this list:


VALUJET DC-9'S:
Ser #:47303 DC 9-21 (952VV)
PHOTO of this plane in 8/1978(Scandanavian Airlines) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=128705)
PHOTO of this plane in 12/1995 (Valujet) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=162130)
Current owner: AMTEC JET INC.

Ser #:47361 DC 9-21 (N127NK)
PHOTO of this plane in 1/2001 (Allegiant) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=161876)
Current operator: ALLEGIANT AIR

Ser #:47307 DC 9-21 (N128NK)
Current owner: AMTEC JET INC.

Ser #:47305 DC 9-21 (N129NK)
Not Currently in use...stored at Willow Run Airport, MI

Ser #:47261 DC 9-32 (N803AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 11/1981 (Delta) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1675)
PHOTO of this plane in 5/1996 (Valujet) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=107787)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47285 DC 9-32 (N811AT)
Current operator: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47318 DC 9-32 (N813AT)
Current operator : AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:48319 DC 9-32 (N825AT)
Current operator : AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47321 DC 9-32
Engine/Fuselage fire ATL 6/1995- scrapped

Ser #:47322 DC 9-32 (N809AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 11/1999(Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=57729)
Current operator : AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47359 DC 9-32 (N826AT)
Smoke in cabin 11/29/00 - still in service.
Current operator : AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47377 DC 9-32 PHOTO of this plane in 1978 (Delta) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=45172)
PHOTO of this plane in 1995 (Valujet) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=55250)
Crashed Florida Everglades 5/11/96

Ser #:47378 DC 9-32 (N805AT)
Current operator : AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47379 DC 9-32 (N806AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 11/1998(Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=95934)
Withdrawn from service-owner: AIRTRAN

Ser #:47443 DC 9-32 (N815AT)
Current operator : AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47444 DC 9-32 (N807AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 10/1998(Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=16319)
Current operator : AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47445 DC 9-32 (N816AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 4/1994(Trinity Air Bahamas) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=106372)
PHOTO of this plane in 1/2001(Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=135564)
Current operator : AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47529 DC 9-32 (N823AT)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47485 DC 9-32
Not currently registered in USA.

Ser #:47067 DC 9-31 (N960VV)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRLINES

Ser #:47177 DC 9-32 (N802AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 2/2001 (Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=150132)
Current operator: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47275 DC 9-32 (N801AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 10/2000(Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=116068)
Current operator: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47323 DC 9-32 (N817AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 9/2000(Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=111644)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47320 Dc 9-32 (N818AT)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47274 DC 9-32 (N828AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 1/2000(Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=71458)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47284 DC 9-32 (N821AT)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47262 DC 9-32
Not currently registered in USA

Ser #:47260 DC 9-32 (N819AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 10/2000 (Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=123408)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47277 DC 9-32 (N810AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 3/2000(Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=79205)
Current operator: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47278 DC 9-32 (N824AT)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47261 DC 9-32 (N803AT)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47488 DC 9-32 (N834AT)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47723 DC 9-32 (N830AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 7/1995 (Valujet) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=54547)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47674 DC 9-32 (N831AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 10/2000(Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=102019)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47451 DC 9-32 (N832AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 12/1999 (Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=60526)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47489 DC 9-32 (N833AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 6/2000(Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=93524)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47534 DC 9-32 (N835AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 2/2000 (Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=88597)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47397 DC 9-32 (N836AT)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:45774 DC 9-32 (N837AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 3/2001 (Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=149523)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47442 DC 9-32 (N838AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 2/1999 (Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=58543)
Damaged - hard landing GSO 8/2000 - scrapped

Ser #:47089 DC 9-32 (N839AT)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47532 DC 9-32
Not currently registered in USA

Ser #:47666 DC 9-32
Not currently registered in USA

Ser #:47648 DC 9-32
Not currently registered in USA

Ser #:47168 DC 9-32 (N866 AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 10/1999(Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=105351)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47238 DC 9-32 (N845AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 2/2001 (Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=144269)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47170 DC 9-32 (N867AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 8/1999(Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=62255)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47266 DC 9-32
Not currently registered in USA

Ser #:47559 DC 9-32 (N848AT)
Emergency landing Chattanooga, TN after encountering hail damage 5/7/98
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47484 DC 9-32 (N849AT)
PHOTO of this plane in 4/1998(Airtran) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=12509)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:47555 DC 9-32 (N847AT)
Current owner: AIRTRAN AIRWAYS

Ser #:48046 DC 9-81 / MD 81
Not currently registered in USA

Ser #:48048 DC 9-82 / MD 82(N801NK)
Current owner: SPIRIT AIRLINES

Ser #:48087 DC 9-82 / MD 82 (N805RA)
PHOTO of this plane in 3/1996(Valujet) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=7776)
PHOTO of this plane in 3/1999(Spirit) (http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=28716)
Current owner:SPIRIT AIRLINES

Ser #:49397 DC 9-83 / MD 83 (N838AM)
Current owner: Aeromexico

The whole airline code system is confusing too....
Air Florida's (CODE : QH) name was changed to Midway Express (CODE : ML) on 10/15/84, which was acquired by the first Midway airlines (CODE : ML) , which ceased operations on 11/13/91. The current Midway began operations in 1993.

The FL code originally belonged to the first Frontier airlines, which was acquired by Continental airlines in 10/1986. The FL code became available after the first Frontier was gone, Airtran took it when they began operations in the mid 1990's. The current Frontier airlines has the code F9.

[RaySharpton]

Since I live in Atlanta, Delta seems to be the main airline other than Airtran to fly out of Atlanta to Orlando, Florida.

I always search for the best price and unless Airtran made a better offer, which Delta usually matches, I would choose Delta because of their size and reputation, etc..

One time this last January, Delta said they couldn't match Airtran's deal(although they did two days too late for me) so I flew with Airtran and they were very nice to me.

I guess since they usually don't fill all there flights like Delta, I asked for a different seat in the back so I would have a better chance of no one sitting next to me, and they did. I really enjoyed that space.

Of course, this is a much shorter flight than most of you guys take, and I usually drive to Florida, but flying is really spoiling me.

I do read more bad reports about Airtran than Delta. Maybe I got lucky.

Have a good trip and sign up for the Delta ( www.delta.com ) and Airtran (www.airtran.com ) e-mails for specials or just check out the prices daily for the best price and time for you.

Good luck, Ray.

[Beverly Lynn]

ok then I guess that the info I got from my station manager here in pit is all wrong as usual. I guess our interoffice correspondance that we have is all lies. I will have to inform them here in pittsburgh that we have all the wrong info at the station and that when we get the reports faxed to us(we must keep a current logbook at each station for the FAA when they do surprise inspections) and this is all incorrect. shame on me for believing it.

[Praise2Him]

I will also be flying out of Atlanta since I live halfway between there and Birmingham. We also always drive, but this trip I'm going a couple of days earlier than the rest of the family. I've been checking prices for a few months and like Ray says, the cheapest is always Delta. Do you think that Delta will match this rate? Or should I just grab it and not worry about it? Thanks for all of your opinions!

[RaySharpton]

To Berverly Lynn:
I am not very experienced at flying nor do I know much about either airline. Thank you for all the information that you give us on your airline experience. I always enjoy reading your posts. I hope that I didn't offend you.

To Praise2Him: What price did you get?

I'll tell you one of my experiences with buying Delta airline tickets over the internet versus by calling Delta from Atlanta, GA to Daytona Beach, FL this pass May, 2001.

I kept looking at all the web sites for the best prices and Delta, although expensive, had the best price to Daytona Beach, FL.

Soooooo, I waited for 14 days, to buy a ticket for $236.00 and the next day it went down to $159.00.

I called Delta and they said that the best that they can do is $217.00 and would give me a $19.00 voucher(which I have never used before).

They said that the WEB price is different from calling Delta and that they could not match it unless I called first before buying the ticket.

Live and learn.

So if I see a cheap price on the internet, I will call first to see if Delta will match it, so maybe, if the price goes down, I can get a better voucher.

Respectfully, Ray.

[CarolA]

Anyone know how old a DC 9 would be by now? McDonald Douglas has been out of business for years! However, the age a plane is really is not a good indicator. There are some old DC-3s still in use in South America. The more imporatant part is the age of things like the engine, brakes etc. and that is hard to tell.

[Praise2Him]

I'm flying one-way on Oct. 3. Delta's price is $100.25, but I'm not sure if that's including tax, etc. (don't think so) AirTran is $73.25 total.Delta was about $87 for several weeks and then on Memorial Day went up to $100. I guess I will just call Delta and ask. Thanks for sharing your experience. I don't fly very often so I'm just learning!

[sgtdisney]

CarolA this reply is for you...

The newest actual DC-9 was built in the early 80s. Probably around 1981 or 1982. However McDonnell Douglas was building MD80s long after that which were, for the most part, stretched DC-9s. Boeing bought McDonnell Douglas a few years back and is currently making planes that are for all intents and purposes McDonnell Douglas aircraft. This would be the Boeing 717 which started out as an MD-95. The 717 is very similar to the DC-9 in appearance but is a whole new model with a new cockpit, etc.

Boeing was also making MD-11s until very recently which were called Boeings as well.

The oldest DC-9 in AirTran's fleet, as of last month, was built in 1968, while the newest DC-9 in their fleet was built in 1976. Northwest has a few DC-9s still flying which were built in 1966 for comparison.

[travelcoupons]

The first prototype DC-9 took to the air Feb. 25, 1965 and they went into service on Dec 8 of the same year. There have been 976 of them produced, with the last one made in 1982. Northwest Airlines currently has the largest fleet of DC-9's (171 as of 4-15-01). Most of the flights I have taken on Northwest have been on DC-9's and most of them that I have checked were manufactured in 1969. The plane has been totally rebuilt over and over in those years as most planes are, with only the shell being original. They could fly for years into the future, but they are being phased out by many airlines because they are fuel guzzlers and are quite noisy and many cities (in Europe especially) do not want them landing in their airports because of the noise. In the 1990's , Northwest was buying them from European airlines that are no longer using them.
Airtran is gradually replacing them with 717's which offer better fuel economy and are quieter. NW has no such plans to eliminate their fleet of 9's at this time.

[ralphd]

Airtran will add 14 717's to their fleet in 2001 for a total of 30 by the end of the year. See the Airtran press release at:
' www.businesswire.com/webbox/bw.041701/211072762.htm
.

[horseshowmom]

Praise2Him,

You said that you were halfway between B'ham and Atlanta. Have you checked Southwest out of B'ham? Sometimes they have some good deals too.

[Praise2Him]

Yes, I've been checking them too, but so far they don't have any good deals and they only have one non-stop flight and it leave in the afternoon (I prefer morning). The main reason I'm leaving out of Atlanta, though, is that I have to leave my car parked and will be driving back home with my family (not flying) and we come back through Atlanta, so I can pick up my car on the way. In Birmingham I would have to make a special trip to go back and get it.

I've still been holding out for Delta, but so far they haven't come down. What should I do? Wait, or go with AirTran? HELP!!!

[sgtdisney]

Praise2Him, almost every major carrier has had a fatal accident. Delta has had quite a few. I wouldn't let the incident with ValuJet dissuade you from using AirTran. They were checked out quite extensively by the government and should be as safe as any other carrier.

[travelcoupons]

I haven't flown Air Tran since 1998, but I did fly Delta last year...and in my opinion, Delta has some of the shabbiest, run down planes that I have ever been on...not to mention mechanical problems on three of the four Delta flights I took last year. I'm sure Delta has newer planes, I just wasn't lucky enough to get one. Just so you don't get your hopes up too high with Delta.