Airtran..

[JDBlair]

So..here in PHX, our big airline carriers are US Airways and Southwest. Southwest hasn't posted their fares for October, yes, and US Airways can't seem to give me anything cheaper than $1800 airfare for the 4 of us to get to FL and back for our cruise. Airtran has an excellent rate (in comparison) and was wondering if anyone has flown with them? Experience? Are they good? Are they in danger of going out of business before October? Thanks in advance for the information!

 

[Donald_Quackers]

I've flown airtran the last 2 times I went down to Orlando from Chicago Midway. Excellent service, even after upgrading to business class at the airport.

They participate in onboard check in if you are taking DCL Transfers/DME.

I have no complaints.

 

[Twinprincesses]

Airtran does have good rates, but I figure by the time I pay for our bags each way and then assign our seats we will be pretty expensive. I am going to wait another month in hopes Southwest comes out with their fare. There are 4 of us and we normally check at least 4 bags so that would be an additional $90 each way for bags, then you have to pay I think it is $10 per seat to assign your seat (each way) so that is an additional $80. It starts to add up fast.

 

[frdeb1999]

We have flown with Airtran and have been happy. Do have to agree on the extra fee's though....if you want assigned seating you have to pay in advance of chance it. With 5 of us traveling we prefer to just pay it. The add on's they charge do add up quickly.

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

We have flown several times with AirTran and have not had problems with them. Have not used them in a while since we have been driving. If this information is incorrect, please someone set me straight. Last time we flew them, they had I think xM Satalitte Radio which was great to listen to whatever we wanted. We also tried to get to the airport early so we could try to ungrade for a little extra. We just booked AirTran for October, and for the four of us, including selecting our seats, it was under $600.

 

[frdeb1999]

You are correct. They have XM on the planes and it is wonderful. And are also right about it still being cheaper in most cases even with the extra's to book through them. However, if your traveling with alot of luggage it could be very costly as you pay per bag unless in buisiness class.

 

[lwilliam]

we find AirTran alot better than the 'name brand' airlines (re: US Air, Delta) - we've been a 'nervous flying family' but since finding AirTran, we have given up driving to Florida! Not too happy about the baggage fee either.

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

You are correct. They have XM on the planes and it is wonderful. And are also right about it still being cheaper in most cases even with the extra's to book through them. However, if your traveling with alot of luggage it could be very costly as you pay per bag unless in buisiness class.

If you upgrade to business class the day of, do you have to pay for bags? I would not want to over pack incase I do not get the upgrade, but that is a pretty good deal.

 

[hlkeck]

We booked Airtran for October as well, and we were able to get 4 fares to MCO for about $715...whomever above was able to get under $600 - I bow to you. Thought I was doing great!

Have fun on your trip!

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

We booked Airtran for October as well, and we were able to get 4 fares to MCO for about $715...whomever above was able to get under $600 - I bow to you. Thought I was doing great!

Have fun on your trip!

It was me! It worked out great actually. I was looking at booking a cruise, and I called my TA to see if there were any great rates out there. Already had a cruise booked for 2010, but I did not want to wait. She came back with a price i could not refuse. Called my husband and said...guess what I did? Then I told him, if we could not get affordable airfare i was cancelling the trip. Went to airtran, they were having a sale that expired in 5 days!!!!

Back to the original question, when looking for flights, I always look at Airtran and Southwest first when planning to fly and 95% of the time, we are on one of those two airlines.

 

[jnadelman]

We just booked our Oct/Nov trip via AirTran. We got $59 each way per person and paid the $6 per person per leg for the assigned seat. It came to $151 per person (and that included taxes and fee) or a little over $600 for the 4 of us. Even if all 4 of us have a bag to check (unlikely since my kids are small), that would be $60 each way for $120 total. Still makes the cost $180 per person or $720 total.
I couldn't even come close to getting anything under $300 per person on any other airline.

 

[tm2924]

We flew Airtran for the first time back in Sept. It was a great experience. They were very efficient. I thought they got their planes turned around faster than Southwest. I have been looking at some flights for may and Southwest is $50/person higher than Airtran, although Airtran has a stop in ATL. I really like having assigned seats. It costs $6 person, worth it for us. And I don't have to worry about being online exactly 24hrs before the flight to get an "A" boarding pass. We will definitely fly Airtran again.

 

[pam775]

We just booked our Oct/Nov trip via AirTran. We got $59 each way per person and paid the $6 per person per leg for the assigned seat. It came to $151 per person (and that included taxes and fee) or a little over $600 for the 4 of us. Even if all 4 of us have a bag to check (unlikely since my kids are small), that would be $60 each way for $120 total. Still makes the cost $180 per person or $720 total.
I couldn't even come close to getting anything under $300 per person on any other airline.

Same for us. I also picked assigned seats and paid the fee as we are traveling with 2 small kids. And it's doubtful I'll have to check four bags so the baggage fee shouldn't be too bad. It would have been at least $300 pp on another airline.

 

[MagicMe]

I always look at Southwest and Airtran when I fly out of Philadelphia to Orlando. Last year for my Sept cruise, I checked the first day Southwest opened their schedule to include my dates. The prices were not that great at the time. I had been checking Airtran prior to Southwest opening their schedule and the Airtran rates weren't that great at the time either. However, the day Southwest extended the schedule, I checked Airtran and they had some great rates showing (maybe trying to snag those people checking Southwest ). I grabbed the Airtran fares real quick!

 

[princess81499]

Same for us. I also picked assigned seats and paid the fee as we are traveling with 2 small kids. And it's doubtful I'll have to check four bags so the baggage fee shouldn't be too bad. It would have been at least $300 pp on another airline.

Hey Pam - we are on the same cruise as you. We also got the $59 on AirTran out of Philly! Our girls are 5 and 8 and do not know about this trip. Hopefully they won't figure it out until they see the ship that Sat morning.

 

[fijidoc]

we flew non stop out on indianapolis to orlando. Had a great experience. Used disney magical express and luggage arrived at our room without problems. left disney via magical express and all luggage ended up with us back in Indy. We have a trip in Dec and waiting for flight schedule to be released so I can book again through airtran.

 

[kstategrad]

Just wondering if anyone knows when January 2010 flight schedules will be out for Airtran? When I go to their website, I can click on my Jan. '10 dates, but it shows no flights available. I even tried checking different cities and routes for the dates I needed, and I didn't come up with anything. I think they haven't released their rates yet, but if I can get a good flight with them from Memphis, I'm gonna book!

 

[fijidoc]

as of now airtran is only booked out to November 18th. I emailed them about december and said it should come out in the next month or so. No specific dates like 9 months in advance.

 

[DL1957]

I am a West Coast person who has lived in VA for 9 years. We use Airtran several times a year either to go to Orlando or fly to San Francisco. Nice airline without any problems. Have a great trip!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I am a West Coast person who has lived in VA for 9 years. We use Airtran several times a year either to go to Orlando or fly to San Francisco. Nice airline without any problems. Have a great trip!

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