Air Tran Airlines-Any good? Never have flown them. Should I worry?

[zumbergc]

My parents flew air tran end of feb. Each leg of the flight was delayed for 1.5-2 hours.

It wasn't weather related, like some of the heavy snows, we got lucky in avoiding the heavy snow days.

 

[jrandtysmom]

So if they change your flight from a non-stop to a connecting, can you ask to be changed to a different non-stop flight without being charged a fee? What about time changes (say a few hours change) can you do the same without a fee?

I'm getting nervous now as I've never flown Airtran before and I'm traveling alone with my 2 children and don't want to do a connecting flight (especially one in Atlanta).

 

[dunbarfamily]

I'm getting nervous now as I've never flown Airtran before and I'm traveling alone with my 2 children and don't want to do a connecting flight (especially one in Atlanta).

Out of curiousity, why don't you want a connecting in Atlanta? Now I'M getting nervous because our trip in May has us connecting in Atlanta on the way home! Just wondering if there was something I should know in advance that would help.

 

[danielle.st]

So if they change your flight from a non-stop to a connecting, can you ask to be changed to a different non-stop flight without being charged a fee? What about time changes (say a few hours change) can you do the same without a fee?

I'm getting nervous now as I've never flown Airtran before and I'm traveling alone with my 2 children and don't want to do a connecting flight (especially one in Atlanta).

Yes, my NS flight was moved to a 7 hour later departure. I called and was switched to another NS flight (leaving 3 hours later than I originally planned).

There was no charge for changing flights or for the call.

 

[bear_mom]

Honestly we fly about three times a year, on all different airlines, and this is the first time we have ever experienced anything like this. Sure we have had an airline change a schedule, maybe a flight leaving 30 minutes later or something minor but to change a nonstop flight to a connection arriving in Orlando three hours later seems more like a bait and switch to me.

Northwest did something similiar to us last year when we flew to Vegas only instead of three hours later our flight left Vegas four hours earlier.

Emily

 

[heidia]

We just used them Tuesday, flew out of Portland, ME with a layover in Baltimore. Have nothing but praise for them! Everything was perfect! Flights on time, service was outstanding, really can't say enough about how good our experience was.

Hopefully going home will be just as easy!

 

[WeCantWait]

So if they change your flight from a non-stop to a connecting, can you ask to be changed to a different non-stop flight without being charged a fee? What about time changes (say a few hours change) can you do the same without a fee?

I'm getting nervous now as I've never flown Airtran before and I'm traveling alone with my 2 children and don't want to do a connecting flight (especially one in Atlanta).

Yes they would have chnaged me to an earlier non stop, unfortunately that would not work for us. We are leaving the evening of my childrens last day of school. It's a surprise for them and I do not want them to miss the last day of school. They have a half day of school that day and our plan is to bring them home from school and tell them. Our flight was originally at 5:40PM, it would have been perfect.

Anyway, yes they would have put us on the earlier non stop without a fee if the time would have worked for us.

 

[GarrettJD]

We used AirTran twice from Memphis to Orlando (connecting in Atlanta) and had no problems out of them. Good things to say all around.

Then, in July of last year, my GF had a 6:00 am flight on AirTran to Philadelphia. At about 2:00 in the morning, right before the flight, we got a voice mail that her flight had been cancelled, and the only alternatives she had were to depart late that night, arrive in Atlanta with an 8 hour layover overnight at the airport , then get there the next morning (about 22 hours after she was supposed to get there originally), or fly out the next morning and get there then next night (about 32 hours after she was originally supposed to get there. ) The telephone agent was very rude and didn't give us any other options. We declined both of these since this was a short (3 day) trip and she'd practically have to leave right when she got to Philly. AirTran did give her a full refund when we demanded one, but didn't apologize or anything else.

Needless to say, we haven't booked them again.

 

[mickey2000]

All the people here getting excited about low fares with AirTran, better hope thier still in business come the fall or they will be driving or buying expensive last minute tickets.
Its obvious that these cheap fares are a panic to generate a quick temporary cash flow. The reality is your flight is more secure with a fare that reflects our economy and fuel prices.
Even SW had the brains to raise thier prices to survive !
News from an article today in another thread....
The facts are obvious and the writing is on the wall :
AirTran Airways, which uses Atlanta as its main hub, a day earlier reported a $35 million quarterly loss, or 38 cents a share.


Cordle said he thinks the big carriers, like Delta and Northwest, will weather the storm. But many of the low-cost airlines -- the guys who tout $69 trips to Florida -- could soon be gone, he said.


Some analysts say AirTran and other low-cost carriers, stung by the impact of high fuel costs, will have a more difficult time than major carriers weathering the pressures. They are likely to raise ticket prices and some may even fold, the analysts say.

 

[CarolA]

I have flown AirTran several times out of Atlanta. They make Delta look efficient which I thought was impossible LOL!

But they aren't any worse or better then anyone else. Thier idea of "on time" is a little funny however. At the "departure" time I went to the gate and asked "when are we leaving" Response "We are going to have an ON TIME departure" Well since it was NOW time to take off and you didn't have a PLANE, that was kind of not realistic LOL!

 

[safetymom]

Air Tran in Atlanta in no problem at all. They are making improvements to their hq here in Orlando so I think they plan on being around for awhile. The City of Orlando has given them funding.

 

[ginnibobb]

AirTran Airways, which uses Atlanta as its main hub, a day earlier reported a $35 million quarterly loss, or 38 cents a share.


Cordle said he thinks the big carriers, like Delta and Northwest, will weather the storm. But many of the low-cost airlines -- the guys who tout $69 trips to Florida -- could soon be gone, he said.

Compared to Delta's $6.39 Billion 1st quarter losses or Nortwest's $4.1 Billion losses $35 million doesn't sound so bad. All the airlines are taking a hit with rising fuel cost.

 

[CarolA]

Compared to Delta's $6.39 Billion 1st quarter losses or Nortwest's $4.1 Billion losses $35 million doesn't sound so bad. All the airlines are taking a hit with rising fuel cost.

Well, keep in mind that HUGE chunk of DL's and NW's loss was related to "non cash" issues. (I don't know how much of AirTrans was) So the losses SOUND bad, but in terms of "cash" flow they aren't quite as horrid as they sound LOL!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I'm one of the ones that got "excited" about a good fare on AirTran for the end of this year. My feeling is there is a certain amount of uncertaintly with any of the airlines that are my choices right now. Delta has said that they might be cutting routes--so if I booked on them who knows, maybe my nice nonstop flight would be cut. It could happen on delta, it could happen on AirTran. I figured for half the price I'd take my chances. Some folks here love to quote the bad press about AirTran. I've read other articles that said they are in okay shape to weather this bad time--b/c of their low cost structure. I've heard other "experts" quoted as saying they don't believe another airline will go belly up this year. Who knows what to believe?? I'll just keep my eye on things and that's about all I can do.

 

[mickey2000]

Compared to Delta's $6.39 Billion 1st quarter losses or Nortwest's $4.1 Billion losses $35 million doesn't sound so bad. All the airlines are taking a hit with rising fuel cost.

I think they cant afford even 35 million!
Look at thier stock...........

52-wk Range 3.18-12.65

 

[ginnibobb]

Air Tran stock has fallen hard but was actually a bit better than wall street predicted so it's no surprise.

 

[mickey2000]

Air Tran stock has fallen hard but was actually a bit better than wall street predicted so it's no surprise.

Yes, this is what they are saying :

AirTran hastened to assure investors that the quarter's loss was just a bump caused by rising fuel prices, the company's decision to issues shares and stall expansion plans indicates there's more than a little turbulence ahead for the airline.

 

[mickey2000]

.The most recent quarterly earnings report was significantly lower than analysts' consensus forecast. Negative

The price-to-earnings multiple is higher than the average for all stocks in the StockScouter universe. Negative

The StockScouter measure of relative price change and consistency is very low. Very negative

 

[ginnibobb]

If i were an Air Tran stockholder i would be worriedAs for whether or not Air tran will be in business for my flight in Sept., i am not worried at all.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

If i were an Air Tran stockholder i would be worriedAs for whether or not Air tran will be in business for my flight in Sept., i am not worried at all.

That's a good point. Seems like some folks are just bent on making those of us with AirTran tickets feel terrible