Air Tran vs. Southwest

[Jaylie]

Is there any difference in the flying experience on Air Tran? I'm very used to Southwest. Are the planes the same size? First part of the trip would be AT, then the connection in Baltimore would be on a Southwest plane.

I've never flown on any plane but Southwest.

 

[DebbieB]

Is there any difference in the flying experience on Air Tran? I'm very used to Southwest. Are the planes the same size? First part of the trip would be AT, then the connection in Baltimore would be on a Southwest plane.

I've never flown on any plane but Southwest.

Southwest only flies 737's. AirTran has 737's and 717's. The 717's are 2 x 3 seating, 737's are 3 x 3.

AirTran does not have open seating, all seats are assigned. If you want seats assigned in advance, there is a fee. Or you can wait until check-in and get assignments for free, keeping in mind your party may not be seated together.

If you book through the Southwest website, you get 2 free checked bags. If you book through the AirTran website, there is a fee.

AirTran is being phased out, they will be gone at the end of the year.

 

[bcbmommy]

Our trip home was like this. First half was SW, second half Airtran. My dh and I agreed that we definitely like SW better. Nicer planes, nicer flight attendants, and bigger bathroom. Oh, and better in-flight entertainment!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Air Tran SUCKS! Last July, they cancelled our 8 am, nonstop flight from Chicago to MCO, because they didn't have sufficient ground crews (how does that happen). Then, they had 1 person re booking 150+ passengers into new flights for a half hour before a second person from the airlines came to help.
We ended up having a lay over in Atlanta. The plane we took down there was falling apart. 4 of our 6 seats didn't lock in the upright position and the arm rests were held together with duct tape, I kid you not. We took pictures.
The flight home, we come to find that 3 of our 6 seats were roped off as unavailable when we boarded the plane. How did they not know this when we checked in??? A family of 3 was kind enough to take a later flight, so my family could be on the same flight home.
We land in Chicago to find that Air Tran lost all 6 of our suitcases. We ended up getting them back the next day, but it was VERY stressful.
Air Tran did give us a $175. per person credit for our problems (we had to fight for it, it wasn't offered).
Customer service was horrible. We aren't even going to use the vouchers, because I'm afraid to fly with Air Tran again. It was that bad of an experience.

 

[TeachTink]

Air Tran SUCKS! Last July, they cancelled our 8 am, nonstop flight from Chicago to MCO, because they didn't have sufficient ground crews (how does that happen). Then, they had 1 person re booking 150+ passengers into new flights for a half hour before a second person from the airlines came to help.
We ended up having a lay over in Atlanta. The plane we took down there was falling apart. 4 of our 6 seats didn't lock in the upright position and the arm rests were held together with duct tape, I kid you not. We took pictures.
The flight home, we come to find that 3 of our 6 seats were roped off as unavailable when we boarded the plane. How did they not know this when we checked in??? A family of 3 was kind enough to take a later flight, so my family could be on the same flight home.
We land in Chicago to find that Air Tran lost all 6 of our suitcases. We ended up getting them back the next day, but it was VERY stressful.
Air Tran did give us a $175. per person credit for our problems (we had to fight for it, it wasn't offered).
Customer service was horrible. We aren't even going to use the vouchers, because I'm afraid to fly with Air Tran again. It was that bad of an experience.

Ugh! What an experience for you!

See me, personally, I prefer Airtran to Southwest. I've flown both airlines several times and have experienced rude flight attendants on 2 of my Southwest flights. I've had nothing but good things to say about Airtran. I guess it just depends on the day and flight.

 

[tlh]

I have flown AirTran, and it was fine. 2 by 3 seating and was a very cheap fare. We did not have any issues with the plane like the previous poster. Sounds like they got the worst plane they had.

 

[jimandami]

One thing to be aware of is that if part of your trip is Air-Tran and part SW, there is sometimes a problem with RAC. On our December trip, we were unable to use RAC simply because DH and kids had flown AT (via SW) down but we were all flying SW home. It was kinda painful!