Actual experience airtran through southwest

[jayhawk74]

They should have waited until everyone could book under the same rules. If you book AirTran on the SW site, you could buy advance seat assignments. If you book SW on the AirTran site, you could buy EBCI. Otherwise, leave them separate until AirTran is gone.

Right now the SWA reservation system can not do international reservations and the new reservation system won't be fully in place until 2014. That means AirTran has to do the international flying. But as they take AirTran planes out of service so, that they can be converted to SWA configuration, that means there is less and less AirTran flying available to feed the international flights. Offering the bookings via southwest.com and having the ability to fly SWA and connect to AirTran allows passengers to connect to those international flights so that they won't be flown empty.

SWA is aware of the problems that exists with the current system and management has told the employees that "soon" you will be able to get assigned seats on AirTran flights when booked via southwest, and you will also be able to purchase priority boarding for SWA flights when book via AirTran. What they haven't told us is how it will be done, will passengers be able to go back and get seats before the 24 hour mark, nor have hey said how soon "soon" is.

 

[buckeyemom16]

Just wanted to share my recent experience. So recent I am on my way home from the airport Sorry this is long--

June 1st we flew from Pittsburgh to MCO booked on AirTran through SW. When I checked in we were all scattered around the plane and I was fretting. It was me, DH, DD9 and DS2. Called SW and AT both and neither could help, said I needed to check at the ticket counter. Arrived at ticket counter four hours early and was able to get us seats in the second to last row together. I inquired about our return flight and the ticket agent was kind enough to assign us seats together and I felt 100% better about the whole thing.

Boarded our return flight on June 7 and we sat there and sat there. Suddenly everyone started getting emails and phone calls our flight was cancelled. About 15 minutes later the flight attendant came on and said our flight had been cancelled, we needed to get off the plane and see the gate agent. What a mess. Never really gave us an explanation but some said it was mechanical....but they used our plane to go to Raleigh Durham so I don't really know what happened.

We ended up taking a flight for the next day because the one flight left was not non-stop and it also got in at midnight. We have a two hour drive home so that was not going to work. I also ended up having to call SW while I was standing at the counter to get on the flight the next day because the gate agent could not do it. The SW agent on the phone was also kind enough to go ahead and check us in and put us close together. DH and DS2 were in front of DD and I on the same side of the plane.

They put us up in a hotel and said we were eligible for round trip tickets. I inquired about food vouchers and was told that due to the merge there are no longer food vouchers by two different supervisors. We were also told the free flights would show up on our account. We ran into some others who were on our flight at the hotel (Airport Doubletree) and they mentioned they got food vouchers. I wasn't very happy to hear this so when we arrived back at the airport today I inquired about food vouchers and also our free flights.

After about 40 minutes and two different supervisors/managers looking into it I was told that a) there really aren't food vouchers but they gave us some anyway for lunch because of the other person getting them and b) we would be receiving LUV vouchers for $300 pp rather than round trip flight certificates like our counterparts who booked on AT because that's SW's policy. I was told that there was nothing more that could be done because that's all the system would allow but I could call SW customer relations.

Moral to the story, don't book AT through SW right now. Too many hassles/unknowns because the employees don't know how to handle us and you get very mixed information depending on who you talk to. Felt very much like a red-headed stepchild throughout the whole thing!

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[buckeyemom16]

One additional thing, I also inquired about getting our luggage as our plane was just sitting there. The gate agent said AT does this but SW doesn't so we can't do it. I was fretting some about this because I only had a few diapers for DS and knew we would need them--not to mention all our toiletries and things.

While I was trying to get all the things sorted out at the counter today, a couple with a young baby took a bump and they got their luggage for them. So I ask the supervisor about that and she tells me they probably should've at least called down to see if we could have our luggage rather than just telling us flat out no. That really didn't help matters much! We had to walk to Walgreens and buy diapers. Again, confusion between what AT does and SW doesn't and the passengers get the short end of the deal.

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[DVCisME]

We flew home yester AirTran through SW. When we did online check in we were assigned seats apart. At the counter however the agent was able to assist us with seats together. We were almost charged for our luggage. The agent acknowledged that all the changes are confusing. I have to agree, if we as customers are confused think about how many other rules the employees need to figure out.

 

[ttfn3]

We had a flight this afternoon on a AirTran flight booked through Southwest from Columbus, OH to Orlando, FL. We have flown SW frequently. It was our first AirTran flight. I had one confirmation number for 3 people. I checked in at the 24 hr mark. We were assigned 11F, 14A, 14C. So two of us together, and one a couple rows ahead. I was pleased with our seat assignments since I like to sit towards the front of the plane. After the 3 business class rows, the other rows begin at row 10. We had a lot of kids on our flight & I didn't notice any problems with small children being separated from a parent. I liked having assigned seats so no stressing about getting a good seat. Our plane though was noticeably older than our previous SW flights and had less legroom. Glad it was only a 2+ hr flight.

 

[pigletto]

I just got a notice that Airtran has changed our flight time. It's only an hour earlier which isn't too bad but it doesn't work for us. We've already booked to leave work as early as we can, so I don't want to push it even further.
I could switch to a flight with stops much later but I'd prefer not too.
Does anyone know if Airtran will let me change to a Southwest flight since they offer them on their website?
I'd like to not fly with Airtran at all after reading some of the stories on this thread. Our last flight with them years ago was awful but I figured it was a one off and was willing to try again. Doesn't look much better.

I know I can call and find out, but I thought I would check here first to see if anyone has been able to do this. Thanks

ETA) Nevermind. I am just going to keep it. The only flights we can switch to that day have stops. And with Airtran I've already paid for seat assignments that have us right at the front of the plane and priority boarding. It seems to be best just to keep it and take a full afternoon off instead of just a few hours.

 

[marymaya]

I just got a notice that Airtran has changed our flight time. It's only an hour earlier which isn't too bad but it doesn't work for us. We've already booked to leave work as early as we can, so I don't want to push it even further.
I could switch to a flight with stops much later but I'd prefer not too.
Does anyone know if Airtran will let me change to a Southwest flight since they offer them on their website?
I'd like to not fly with Airtran at all after reading some of the stories on this thread. Our last flight with them years ago was awful but I figured it was a one off and was willing to try again. Doesn't look much better.

I know I can call and find out, but I thought I would check here first to see if anyone has been able to do this. Thanks

ETA) Nevermind. I am just going to keep it. The only flights we can switch to that day have stops. And with Airtran I've already paid for seat assignments that have us right at the front of the plane and priority boarding. It seems to be best just to keep it and take a full afternoon off instead of just a few hours.

So would they have let you move to a southwest flight? I am in the same situation.

 

[Ness2289]

I just checked in at the 24 hour mark for our Southwest flight via AirTran. I have one confirmation number. My DD14 and I were seated together in seats 25A and 25C. Breathing a sigh of relief!

 

[MacDalt]

I just checked in at the 24 hour mark for our Southwest flight via AirTran. I have one confirmation number. My DD14 and I were seated together in seats 25A and 25C. Breathing a sigh of relief!

Yay! Good for you! I couldn't take the chance so I went with Delta. Still got it for $98.

 

[sisaaliyah]

Just wanted to share our experience with getting seats together on AT booked through SW. We flew DAY to TPA June 2 and checked in at the 24 hr mark receiving seats 11D, E & F and 12D. All worked fine. On the way home, June 8 MCO to DAY again checking in at 24 hr mark assigned seats again 11D, E & F and 18D. Interestingly the odd seat out was assigned to our 2 year old, but of course my husband and I took that seat. She was the last name on the reservation and it assigns in that order.

 

[keishashadow]

Glad to hear this has worked out well for you. It does appear that most people have gotten acceptable seating assignments.

Just wanted to share my recent experience. So recent I am on my way home from the airport Sorry this is long--

June 1st we flew from Pittsburgh to MCO booked on AirTran through SW. When I checked in we were all scattered around the plane and I was fretting. It was me, DH, DD9 and DS2. Called SW and AT both and neither could help, said I needed to check at the ticket counter. Arrived at ticket counter four hours early and was able to get us seats in the second to last row together. I inquired about our return flight and the ticket agent was kind enough to assign us seats together and I felt 100% better about the whole thing.

Boarded our return flight on June 7 and we sat there and sat there. Suddenly everyone started getting emails and phone calls our flight was cancelled. About 15 minutes later the flight attendant came on and said our flight had been cancelled, we needed to get off the plane and see the gate agent. What a mess. Never really gave us an explanation but some said it was mechanical....but they used our plane to go to Raleigh Durham so I don't really know what happened.

We ended up taking a flight for the next day because the one flight left was not non-stop and it also got in at midnight. We have a two hour drive home so that was not going to work. I also ended up having to call SW while I was standing at the counter to get on the flight the next day because the gate agent could not do it. The SW agent on the phone was also kind enough to go ahead and check us in and put us close together. DH and DS2 were in front of DD and I on the same side of the plane.

They put us up in a hotel and said we were eligible for round trip tickets. I inquired about food vouchers and was told that due to the merge there are no longer food vouchers by two different supervisors. We were also told the free flights would show up on our account. We ran into some others who were on our flight at the hotel (Airport Doubletree) and they mentioned they got food vouchers. I wasn't very happy to hear this so when we arrived back at the airport today I inquired about food vouchers and also our free flights.

After about 40 minutes and two different supervisors/managers looking into it I was told that a) there really aren't food vouchers but they gave us some anyway for lunch because of the other person getting them and b) we would be receiving LUV vouchers for $300 pp rather than round trip flight certificates like our counterparts who booked on AT because that's SW's policy. I was told that there was nothing more that could be done because that's all the system would allow but I could call SW customer relations.

Moral to the story, don't book AT through SW right now. Too many hassles/unknowns because the employees don't know how to handle us and you get very mixed information depending on who you talk to. Felt very much like a red-headed stepchild throughout the whole thing!

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sorry to hear, our flight from PIT to MCO on AT via SWA was delayed and seriously oversold, we were on 2nd 9 amish NS out.

Always check 'the reason' for the cancellation, then consult the contract of carriage. Many threads here go into detail as to procedures.

My experience = AT offer started at full refund of ticket price and seats on late afternoon flight in the following annoucements:

1st round - 1 RT voucher on AT (they got two to jump)

2nd round - 2 RT vouchers pp (another two bit)

finally they needed 1 more seat and it wound up @ 3 RT vouchers & breakfast or lunch

Even though they'd be applicable for AT's international flights we skipped it since i knew heavy storms were projected that day in the south & always have a concern as to luggage going missing on destination carousel before it's retrieved by gate staff (prospect of it sitting there for over 6 hours just too big of an obstacle for me since i've had luggage go missing before).

on way back on SWA, again the flight was delayed & oversold. They offered $300 cash pp(which struck me odd, typically SWA offers the vouchers), refund of flight price, overnight at the airport Hyatt and seats on NS out in the morning. DH had plans the next day, so again we passed on the deal.

We've seen sporadic oversells on AT/SWA for the various times we fly per year out of PIT (typically busy saturdays for MCO) & the two RT flights we've taken since May both have been oversold in range of 4 - 5 seats. jmho certainly, an opportunity for those who are flexible, but it does make me more inclined to either pay for seat assignment/EB or checkin early if booking AT thru SWA if this is the new pattern of doing business.

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Oh boy I am now freaking out. We are flying from MKE to MCO on SW, BUT on the way home it is AT through SW(we had GC to use up for SW and that was the only way to get a roundtrip flight) We needed to do RT for my DS2, it will be his first time flying so we wanted it go be easier for all. ANYWAY. I just saw now that out flight is sold out on the way home. With not having assigned seats I am really worried that it will be a nightmare trying to sit together.

At this rate I hope they ask for people to give up their seats and we can take a flight the next day(there are 2 nonstop we could do if needed)

FREAKING OUT

 

[antree]

Oh boy I am now freaking out. We are flying from MKE to MCO on SW, BUT on the way home it is AT through SW(we had GC to use up for SW and that was the only way to get a roundtrip flight) We needed to do RT for my DS2, it will be his first time flying so we wanted it go be easier for all. ANYWAY. I just saw now that out flight is sold out on the way home. With not having assigned seats I am really worried that it will be a nightmare trying to sit together.

At this rate I hope they ask for people to give up their seats and we can take a flight the next day(there are 2 nonstop we could do if needed)

FREAKING OUT

You will board with family boarding with a 2 yr old, I think it is after A group. My DH has board with me and my child many times and if he didn't we never had a problem with him getting a seat next to me. I only had one time with him not sitting with me, that is because we didn't realize the plane boarded and we were the last to board, but I did get a seat with my son.

 

[msjprincess]

Oh boy I am now freaking out. We are flying from MKE to MCO on SW, BUT on the way home it is AT through SW(we had GC to use up for SW and that was the only way to get a roundtrip flight) We needed to do RT for my DS2, it will be his first time flying so we wanted it go be easier for all. ANYWAY. I just saw now that out flight is sold out on the way home. With not having assigned seats I am really worried that it will be a nightmare trying to sit together.

At this rate I hope they ask for people to give up their seats and we can take a flight the next day(there are 2 nonstop we could do if needed)

FREAKING OUT

If it's an AT flight you will have assigned seats. They will be assigned when you check in.

 

[msjprincess]

You will board with family boarding with a 2 yr old, I think it is after A group. My DH has board with me and my child many times and if he didn't we never had a problem with him getting a seat next to me. I only had one time with him not sitting with me, that is because we didn't realize the plane boarded and we were the last to board, but I did get a seat with my son.

Not if it's an Airtran flight. Airtran has assigned seating.

 

[antree]

Her flight to MCO is on SWA.
You will board with family boarding on SW. On your way home you are on AT so, yes, you will be assigned a seat.

 

[msjprincess]

Her flight to MCO is on SWA.
You will board with family boarding on SW. On your way home you are on AT so, yes, you will be assigned a seat.

Sorry, I thought she was worried about the flight home since she mentioned it was sold out. And this thread is about AT flights booked through SW.

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

No I am worried about my flight home on AT that I booked through SW. I understand how the "cattle call" works(have flown SW a million times and AT just as much) I am worried that some people booked through AT have picked their seats while me(and others) booked through SW and have to wait to see what is left. There is 3 of just and one is my DS2 and now that it is a full flight that concerns me that it might really be hard for all of us to sit together.

 

[tyzzle]

No I am worried about my flight home on AT that I booked through SW. I understand how the "cattle call" works(have flown SW a million times and AT just as much) I am worried that some people booked through AT have picked their seats while me(and others) booked through SW and have to wait to see what is left. There is 3 of just and one is my DS2 and now that it is a full flight that concerns me that it might really be hard for all of us to sit together.

You won't really have to wait because your seats will be assigned. The scary thing is that if it is a full flight the only way to switch will be if someone will switch with you

 

[WiscMomof2]

We have a SW booking on Airtran and today I checked in right at the 24 hour mark for our party of 4 and our friends party of 5. I did us first and our group of 4 got 2 together in separate rows (16 and 20). Our friends traveling with 5 got row 11 all together.