2 air tran questions???

[kaytieeldr]

Airtran only runs ONE non-stop flight per day out of DFW, so if they decide to cancel it our travel time will double or triple. That will irritate me.

Which is why, even if the price is right for you, the perceived value is not.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I wish there was a way to see how often (if ever) they cancel those non-stop flights. If they seem to go as scheduled the majority of the time I would feel better about it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, you could try what I suggested to the OP - check that flight every day/every other day for the next couple/few weeks and see if it (a) exists (b) at or around the same time (c) every day or how often. You could try asking on flyertalk, too, but I understand they have even less pixie dust than this board does

 

[tinkermom23]

but I understand they have even less pixie dust than this board does

Is that possible ???

ETA: Oops! that slipped out!!
I am a "Transportation Board Lurker" not a "Transportation Board Poster". I leave the posting to the experts!!

 

[NancyIL]

I am still waffling.

I am a BIG luggage girl. We check between 4-6 pieces when we go to WDW, and I am kind of high strung about my luggage.

I am REALLY high strung about non-stop flights. I don't mind landing and staying on the plane so much because that's what we have to do on SW, but I will NOT switch planes.

Airtran only runs ONE non-stop flight per day out of DFW, so if they decide to cancel it our travel time will double or triple. That will irritate me. Coming back we HAVE TO get home on time so DH can work on Sunday. He gets up at midnight on Saturdays, so if we end up with a flight change on that end it could be a BIG problem. Right now the ONE morning non-stop out of MCO on Airtran would be fine, although it is SUPER early. ALL of the connecting flights get into Dallas at 5 PM or after - and the travel time on most of them is UGLY! That won't work for us.

So I will keep watching and waffling.

Judging by your fussiness, I'd say you stand a good chance of being irritated - no matter which airline you choose!

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

We are also considering AirTran now. I have heard that they are bad about switching flights around, and they are not little switches. That makes me nervous. They only seem to run one non-stop per day between DFW - MCO, so changing the time drastically will make me angry. And if they put me on some other flight that the travel time is 6 hours or some ridiculous thing I will be IRATE.

We could book AirTran right now for under $700 r/t for the 3 of us, but I am not sure I trust them.

It is good to know we can book through Kayak and save the fee for choosing a seat!!

I have booked all of my trips but 1 with AT out of DFW and have not had any schedule changes greater than a few minutes. I even posted when we went in July that I was dissapointed because the didn't change my flight times because I wanted to leave a day early....

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Judging by your fussiness, I'd say you stand a good chance of being irritated - no matter which airline you choose!

Well, then there's that...
American does irritate me on occasion. We have only flown SW to MCO once, and that was fine.

I have booked all of my trips but 1 with AT out of DFW and have not had any schedule changes greater than a few minutes. I even posted when we went in July that I was dissapointed because the didn't change my flight times because I wanted to leave a day early....

That is VERY good info! Thanks!

 

[champ5601]

My mother and I are flying out of Moline/Quad Cities on Monday. We have a stop in Atlanta, and on the way back, we have a nonstop. We have flown Airtran numerous times, occasionally they have delays due to weather, traffic, or mechanical, but what airline doesnt. ME with them is great, we get into Orlando, head to the terminal, and can wait on the luggage or head right to the busses.

No airline is perfect, and Im sorry that some people have had bad experiences. But from what I have seen, for evey bad review, there are 5 positives. Some people just jump at the chance to *****.

BTW, I'm 6'2", 350, and I fit in the seats. I ask for an aisle or emergency row for the little extra room.

 

[Stumpy]

For those that had great seats, I'm proud for you. However, because my wife is slightly larger than I am she got the opportunity to sit in the seat with more room, which is why both times I was stuck in the aisle. I also did lean in toward her, but it still mean that my body was contorted for the entire flight. As far as the delays you are right, it wouldn't have made a difference, but it would have been a professional courtesy.

As far as deliberately splitting us up, I was clear in that they reassigned our seats together upon specific request, but why would they not automatically do so knowing we are traveling together? I'm sure they could re-program their computer.

All I'm saying is that a person asks an opinion and I provided it. Some people don't care about space, cleanliness and courtesy while others do. And for the record, I willingly responded back to the survey provided by Airtran with the hopes that they might use it as constructive criticism to consider. Sorry I *****, but the person wants experiences, not fluff.

 

[MariDisney]

I fly Air Tran out of Philadelphia all the time. I can honestly say that I've had nothing but great experiences with them. I have had flights changed a few times, but I feel that's part of the deal for paying $60 for a flight 6 months out. They have always worked with me to put me on an acceptable flight (I light the first flight out of PHL and the last flight out of MCO). Customer service has always been great for me and the people working on the flights have been wonderful.

 

[kaytieeldr]

As far as deliberately splitting us up, I was clear in that they reassigned our seats together upon specific request, but why would they not automatically do so knowing we are traveling together? I'm sure they could re-program their computer.

Nope. AirTran's computer IS programmed correctly for their policies. The opportunity to select one's seats, and one's seat companion/s, is available in advance for $6 per person per direction. Knowing this, it is the passenger's responsibility to comply - i.e. pay the extra seat selection charge - or take what is available when one checks in for the flight. Note that even this can be done 24 hours prior to departure, again, enabling the passenger to select seats/seatmates without paying the additional fee.

Don't blame the airline, or expect them to change their policy or programming, based on some passengers' refusal to take advantage of the advance-assignment option.

 

[aubriee]

I wish there was a way to see how often (if ever) they cancel those non-stop flights. If they seem to go as scheduled the majority of the time I would feel better about it.

I too fly out of DFW. I go to WDW several times a year. I've flown Air Tran pretty much exclusively for the last several years. I prefer them now over American Airlines, which as you know, is pretty much your only other option for nonflights to MCO from DFW. In fact, we just got back last night on Air Tran flight 917. I am already looking for Air Tran flights 916 and 917 for my upcoming trips in May, Oct, and Dec. Again I've flown those same flights several times a year for the last several years. The only difference I've noticed is that the 916 flight to Orlando is now leaving about an hour later than it did several years ago and the 917 flight back to Dallas is now leaving 2 hours later than it did several months ago. Other than that, those two flights have never changed by more than a few minutes and have never been canceled. I too only do nonstop flights and have never been moved off those two nonstop flights. I always know my flight number going to MCO is going to be #916 and then the flight home to DFW will always be #917. We love Air Tran and have never had a problem with them. Planes are always very clean and employees have always been very nice.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thank you so much!
We are looking at Flight 918 coming back - it departs MCO at 8 AM. I guess if something weird happens with the AM nonstop I could send DH home the day before, then DS and I would go home Saturday and get there when we get there.

I am not very good at the airfare game, and historically I purchase WAY in advance, so the sooner I can get this squared away, the better.

 

[maxiesmom]

I flew Air Tran out of Flint this past July, and have nothing but good things to say about them.

Yes, they did change my travel times a bit. but I have found that happens with many airlines, so I just obsessively check and re-check my flight times.

I like that the gate agents and FAs are no nonsense. The gate agents made multiple pages explaining that each person had to have their ticket in hand in order to board, including the children. The FAs made multiple announcements telling people to quickly store their overhead items and move into their seats. They also delt quite well with a couple obnoxious teenagers who decided to keep pressing their call buttons before we even had a chance to take off. And the pilot even made an announcement that the plane would not move until the person (IDIOT!) who decided to use the lav while we were taxing to take off returned to their seat.

My only complaint is that Air Tran doesn't fly out of an airport closer to my home. I have to drive almost 2 hours to use them.

 

[gwcollins71]

This all makes me feel much better. I'm ok w/ little changes in time. I think we will book air tran for MCO. The rules are ok to follow. I like order and that won't bother me, I obsessive about planning. As long as the flights aren't cancelled alltogether or become layovers, I"ll be fine.

Gretchen

 

[Audray]

A friend booked a non-stop flight with them, one week before travel they cancelled the flight and moved her to a flight with a 3 hour stopover.

I booked a non-stop flight with them for 1/10/10, and a few weeks later was notified that it was also cancelled (same airport as my friend so perhaps Air Tran doesn't do well with Portland, ME). My replacement flight had two stopovers, and was going to take something like 11 hours to get me home (versus a 3 hour direct flight).

We chose to cancel our AirTran tickets and rebook with Jet Blue. My friend didn't and complained that the plane was fithy from Orlando to Baltimore.

 

[AlternateEgo]

1. Has anyone flown air tran before? How are they?

Flew in September, to Orlando from St. Louis and back. I loved them! Of course I have only flown 1 time previously about 15 years ago.

2. Can I do resort check in for DME with them?

Yes

Thanks so much. I'm scared to book a new airline.

Answered above

 

[Traveliz]

I am struggling as well. Southwest is about the same but I don't like the times that I need. Airtain is has the times that I like. My biggest concern is that my dad and step mom (along with brother, sister, and her boyfriend) are meeting us at Disney and they have never flown. So I want to get in right before them and meet them at the gate and I don't want to have to worry about their flight changing or cancelling. I would love for them to leave out of Bloomington as they hate to drive to Chicago. Right now the non stop flight out of bloomington is only $85 each way wich is cheaper then Chigago. I am coming from Ohio and our flight would get in about 30 min before theirs. What to do? If I had a car big enough for all of us I would just drive but my car only holds 7 and there is 9 of us going.

I fly Airtran out of Bloomington alot and have few if any real changes. For people who have not flown before its an EXCELLENT choice of airports. It is soooooo easy to get in there, parking is free, the shuttle guy is constantly stalking the parking lot for people who might want rides to the terminal (although even the furthest parking is still generally walkable). There is no way I would want to drive to Chicago to fly when I could fly right out of Bloomington.

Liz

 

[Traveliz]

I wish there was a way to see how often (if ever) they cancel those non-stop flights. If they seem to go as scheduled the majority of the time I would feel better about it.

I don't know about your airport but for ours they run practically empty BECAUSE they need to get back to the smaller airport to fly back the next day. My daughter works/lives in Orlando and only flies Airtran to come home. Her flights home are often not at all full but when the plane lands here there is a entire waiting area of people waiting for that plane to take them to Orlando. I worry less about the nonstops that the other flights since generally the plane is needed where its going.

Liz

 

[Funwith4kids]

I fly Airtran out of Bloomington alot and have few if any real changes. For people who have not flown before its an EXCELLENT choice of airports. It is soooooo easy to get in there, parking is free, the shuttle guy is constantly stalking the parking lot for people who might want rides to the terminal (although even the furthest parking is still generally walkable). There is no way I would want to drive to Chicago to fly when I could fly right out of Bloomington.

Liz

Agree. We fly out of BMI or PIA (not on AT) and the airports are so easy to use (free parking, walking distance, way less crowds, and less terminals to figure out where to go). In addition, we often find AT rates out of BMI lower than out of ORD or STL w/o the travel, paid parking, crowds, and terminals to work through.