AirTran????

[CuteAsMinnie]

Has anyone had experience flying AirTran?

Their airfare is definitely cheaper than Southwest but then there is the whole check baggage fee to add.

Any feedback appreciated.

Thanks!

[Disneylover99]

We flew from Buffalo to Orlando this past August with AirTran.

Our flights were on time and the crew members and ticket people at the airport were helpful and friendly.
Planes seem a bit older and the inside of the plane wasn't cleaned very well, but our flights were smooth. It is no frills so you do pay extra for baggage and snacks (although I think the kids got free cookies). Carry ons were free though.

We would definitely fly with them again if the price was right!

[goof4ever]

I used them many times over the years. I never had a problem with any flights.

[DebbieB]

Southwest bought AirTran and are slowly phasing them out over the next couple of years. They are subleasing some of the AirTran planes to Delta starting in mid 2013.

[Dis_Dreamin]

In our market (IND), SW phased out some of it's daily nonstops to MCO in their schedule, but added several nonstop Airtran flights (for more $$ than SW nonstops).

I don't see it as a win for us, right now, but we are still flying Airtran because their schedule works better for us with nonstops vs making connections.

I've not heard much bad about Airtran, just don't like the model of paying for every little thing. I hope they eventually move to the same model as SW once the conversion is complete. Open seating, complimentary snacks and drinks, free checked bag. I'm sure it'll be a few years before they are fully converted over.

[DebbieB]

Originally Posted by Dis_Dreamin

In our market (IND), SW phased out some of it's daily nonstops to MCO in their schedule, but added several nonstop Airtran flights (for more $$ than SW nonstops).

I don't see it as a win for us, right now, but we are still flying Airtran because their schedule works better for us with nonstops vs making connections.

I've not heard much bad about Airtran, just don't like the model of paying for every little thing. I hope they eventually move to the same model as SW once the conversion is complete. Open seating, complimentary snacks and drinks, free checked bag. I'm sure it'll be a few years before they are fully converted over.

Once the conversion is complete, there will be no AirTran. With each schedule change, they are moving flights from AirTran to Southwest until eventually there is no AirTran.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayi...ities/1649647/

[airplanegod]

I never flew with them before, but I hear from other people that they do love them. Yes, Southwest owns Airtran and is currently phasing the airline out. The 737's are going to Southwest colors and the 717's are being leased to Delta.

[DonnaL]

Have flown Airtran several times to/from MCO when they were still flying from Lehigh Valley. Always had a good experience with them. They do charge $20 for first checked bag...no charge for carry-on.....which IMO is reasonable....some of the legacy carriers are charging more. However, Airtran does not charge for non-alcoholic beverages or the small snack they serve....does the other poster possibly have them confused with Allegiant.....because Allegiant does charge for everything. We are flying Allegiant to Orlando Sanford next week for the first time.....I've heard decent feedback about Allegiant...except the fact they charge for everything......which is OK for us...since it's only DH and I....we travel very lightly and don't have a lot of needs when flying so we were able to keep our costs for both of us to about $180 one way.

[WeLuvTink!]

We LOVE Airtran and wish that Southwest hadn't bought them for fear of the changes ahead. Airtran rocks and gives you credits is the airfare drops after you buy (have to call and ask for the credits).

[DonnaL]

WeLuvTink.....Southwest also will give you credit if the fare goes down....actually, you don't even need to call them...you can just go online and do it yourself and get the credit for a future flight within one year of the original booking date....have done it many times with SWA. Only thing to keep in mind.....the credit can only be used by the original ticket holder.....used to be you could use the credit within one year and anyone could use it as long as they had the voucher number....it was great when DH, myself and our three adult kids and grandson would go to WDW together (which we paid for)....I would keep watching the fares and usually end up with enough credit for at least one more round trip for DH and I later in the year! We just love Southwest......our only problem is we're tired of driving two hours to/from PHL to fly with them.....

[delilah]

We fly Airtran out of Indianapolis to Orlando routinely. I like Airtrain. Despite a previous poster's statement that Airtran fares are higher than SW, I find the contrary to be the case. I, too, am dreading when the transition to SW is complete, if only because of the circus involving seating. I can foresee, based on my experience, higher airfares, fewer nonstop flights, possibly seating issues. All bad news.

[manning]

Great airline. Have to say that. My cousin works for them.

[lylone]

We have also been AirTran flyers for over 7 years. Love the people and the planes have always been clean and comfortable.

I don't mind paying extra to make sure I get to sit where I want and with who I want.

I fear the change to SW and don't think the all the changes will be complete really soon. We just got off a 717 on Saturday and it still had Airtran on it and all the 737s said AirTran as well.
I don't think all the deals and conversions will be complete for at least another year....and dread when that time will come....

[DeadHead]

DW & I love Airtran, we love the 717's, the 3/2 configuration works for us as we always grab 2 seats together with no third seat in the aisle. Out of PHL our flights have been on time, ground personnel, and crews have been friendly, and professional. And on most occassions their flights have been the cheapest out of PHL.

[katallo]

We like Air Tran. SWA has added so many flights with layovers. Air Tran offers more nonstops to Orlando. Plus, the fares at SWA have been really so much more than Air Tran.