Air Tran Good / Bad / other

[disneydave]

We usually fly Midwest, and might still for our upcoming trip; however, the flight times on Air Tran are just better.

Please help with any recent Air Tran experience.

We will be flying from Kansas City to Orlando on July 21 and looking for a Non-stop flight. The options are Midwest, Air Tran, and Southwest; however Southwest is about $155 per ticket higher than Midwest. Air Tran is only about $20 per ticket less than Midwest but the travel times are better with Air Tran... Thinking about booking Air Tran but not sure about their service.

Thanks for your help.

 

[traderneal]

Never had a problem with them. They are NOT a rinky-dink little airline, but are considered a good stable company. They operate all over country.


Ironcially, I usually fly them coach, however, the one time I flew biz class, I thought the seats were kind of hard. But again, never had a problem. They have a relatively new fleet of planes.

 

[zulaya]

I haven't flown AirTran to MCO, but have from MSP to Chicago. But I am aware of how they operate, at least out of MSP.

Very friendly, on-time service. No complaints about that. One thing you should be aware of if you aren't is if you buy a coach ticket, you can't select your seat assignments until 24 hours out from the flight.

My only issue with them is that they like to switch their times around a lot more than I like. I understand some changes can happen, but they seem to be a bit more radical about it.

Case in point...I've seen the single non-stop flight MSP-MCO move from a 9am departure to a 2pm departure over several months. That's significant to me. Other people don't care, or most people don't book so far in advance to have their schedule affected.

Where you are, it may be totally and completely different.

 

[Tottwo]

My husband and I flew with AirTran from BOS to MIA two weeks ago. I was a bit leary about them because it was our first time with them and I was unsure of their history.

We had no problems at all. We found them to be just like any other airline, (i.e. Delta, American, United) in the way they did things except for the lack of advanced seat assignments. As a previous poster mentioned, you can log onto their web site within 24 hours of your flight to check in and get your seat assignment then.

We also upgraded to business class on our flight to Miami. I'm not sure it was really worth it. We had the same hard seats as mentioned earlier. The only advantage I saw was that you had more legroom, got to first right after families with small children, bathroom access at the front of the plane and free beer/wine/alcohol. We dealt with much of the same stuff as in coach, no food to speak of, kids running around, kicking the back of your seat etc.

Overall, I'd rate AirTran as average just like Delta, American, United, etc. I would definately consider them again if their flights were cheaper than others but I would not put them over other airlines if their prices were the same or higher.

 

[disneydave]

Thanks all.... your help is appreciated. I really prefer Midwest but not really interested in getting into Orlando at 11 PM and then hoping to have the kids ready to hit the parks for EE the next morning.

Looks like we will be giving Air Tran a shot.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

We fly Airtran from MSP to MCO and find them to be fine. I would recommend them.

 

[disneydave]

Well I decided to sleep on the decision. Got up this AM and was going to book Air Tran....got online and they had the flight on sale. Booked with Air Tran for 188.80 round trip per ticket non-stop. $55 les per ticket than Midwest, $246 less per ticket than Southwest...and I hate to say it but Air Tran had the flight time that worked best with our schedule.

Thanks everyone.... now I just have to hope that they keep the flight as listed.