Air Tran

[GrannyEv]

I booked my Disney trip as a package except for the air fare.
I live in London, but flying out of Detroit. I have been going online searching out the best prices for the four of us. Me, DD, DGD, DGS. Air Tran seems to have the best prices so far. (we are going the middle of September)
Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with Air Tran?? I've never flown on them.

Thanks
Hugs
GrannyEv:
grouphug:

 

[bubba]

We've flown AirTran a couple times. The last time was May '06 to MCO. We had great flights - we flew Buffalo - Atlanta -Orlando and the same on the way back. Flights were on time, flight crews were wonderful, connections were smooth (and the connecting gates were right next to each other - very important as Atlanta Hartsfield is one of the busiest airports in the world) ... no complaints. And if there were any, you would hear them from me ! I used to travel about 20 days out of every 30 for business - I worked for a luxury hotel chain and performed surprise site inspections at all North American, European and Asian properties. I have flown A LOT ! We are flying AirTran again in May '08 when we go back to WDW.

 

[wee-haggis]

I booked my Disney trip as a package except for the air fare.
I live in London, but flying out of Detroit. I have been going online searching out the best prices for the four of us. Me, DD, DGD, DGS. Air Tran seems to have the best prices so far. (we are going the middle of September)
Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with Air Tran?? I've never flown on them.

Thanks
Hugs
GrannyEv:
grouphug:

I don't fly out of Detroit but I hear that Spirit Airlines has the best fares.

 

[maryliz]

Flown with them 5 times ... twice had to connect through Atlanta. Because Atlanta is their "hub", they have an entire concourse dedicated specifically to Airtran ... there are a few gates on the next concourse over, but chances are your gates will be in the same area. And if not, it's an easy tram ride to the next one.

Of the 5 flights, we only had problems with one of them, where they had an issue with a plane in Buffalo, so had to wait for mechanics to get to the airport, then they decided that the flight crew would need replacing so had to wait for them too. It ended up being a looonnnng time in Atlanta. Oh, and they changed the flight time of second leg of flight so original layover was increased by a couple of hours even before we had the other issues.

Oh, and they are famous for changing flight times, and not notifying you ... so pull up your ressie every few weeks to check the times. They did this to us several times.

Other than that, they are very friendly, clean, and good prices. We've always paid the extra to choose our seats so we're not stuck in the very back row that has NO window! It's like sitting in a closet ... done it once, will never do it again.

Try Southwest out of Detroit as well. Or even look into Airtran, Southwest or Jetblue out of Buffalo. the drive from London isn't that much further, and we LOVE the Buffalo airport.

 

[Mickeysfriend]

We've flown Air Tran a few times and have always had a good experience. Check out Flint airport as well. It's a little smaller, about the size of London, and less hectic to get to/around then Detroit. We just got back using Spirit out of Detroit and it was not so good. Customer service was lacking to say the least. That and our suitcased arrived 12 hours late.....with everything soaking wet

 

[Claud26]

Love Air Tran!! 1st time they changed our flight times a couple of times but it always remained close to what we had ... last time in December ... booked my flight in April and they never changed the times at all.
especially enjoyed the resort check in on the way back

 

[Jaymie]

I don't fly out of Detroit but I hear that Spirit Airlines has the best fares.

We always fly out of Detroit and use Spirit all the time. They have pretty decent prices. If you check their webiste on weekends and later at night, that's when I've always snagged a good deal. $55 each way...not bad.

 

[esdras]

Detroit is great for Londoners - just remember to cross at Sarnia rather than Windsor. Trust me on that.

We did AirTran in '06 - no problems, in fact BOTH flights arrived ahead of the ETA, by about 10 minutes each time.

AirTran usually has direct flights from Detroit to Orlando in September, but at the times they run expect your travel days to be write-offs in terms of "Disney" activity.

My advice is to go to all the discount airline websites and sign up for ANY and ALL of their promotional contact methods. We are currently getting e-mails from Spirit and AirTran. We also downloaded the Southwest DING - which works in Canada just fine. When it asks for a ZIP code, simply use Port Huron (48060).

 

[MikeJ]

Lots of good advice on this thread. I would emphasize a few points that were mentioned by others:

1) Cross at Sarnia. The lineup at the Bluewater Bridge tends to be shorter than at the Ambassador, and once you're through customs you pick up I94 and just take it straight through to the airport. I hate trying to pick up I75 crossing at Windsor. Travel distance is about the same and once you're past Port Huron the speed limit is 70mph until you hit Detroit.

2) Look also at Spirit from DTW or AirTran from Flint. We've done both. Spirit's customer service is OK but not great, but you can snag good airfares with them if you catch them at just the right time. DW and I have flights to Orlando booked on Spirit in June and our total for two including taxes was US$240. Air Tran has one direct flight to and from Orlando per day out of Flint and they often have web special fares of $84 each way. The Flint airport is great - it's not much larger than London's, is easy to navigate, is fairly new (and clean), and weekly parking is cheap compared to Detroit.

3) Sometimes you can get deals on Northwest and they try and match fares with the discount airlines. Given that DTW is a NWA hub you will have a much greater selection of flights than with other airlines.

4) Sign up for as many email offers as you can. Odds of getting a really cheap flight to match your itinerary are probably not great, but you never know...

- Mike


Both airlines fly newer planes - much of Spirit's fleet in now Airbuses (typically 319) and Air Tran flies the Boeing 717.

 

[maryliz]

Wow ... I'm very surprised at the whole "cross at Sarnia, not Windsor". Going INTO the US, the only problems I've ever countered were in Port Huron. they are soooo slow there ... I've never waited more than 10 minutes in Detroit. I love the Detroit crossing, although if you don't know where you're going once you get across, it can be a little nerve-wracking. I will agree that getting on 69/94 right off the bridge in Port Huron is nice.

Coming home, I say Detroit all the way. Only once did we hit a major snag in Detroit where it was 2 hours. In Port Huron, it's often a 45 minute wait, and on last Thursday night, it was 2 hours to get across. the cars were on the bridge and NOT moving at all for a good part of it. It was totally crazy, and DH and I both remarked how if we had been coming home from Florida, we would never cross here.

Oh, and they really need a Timmie's right after the bridge, like they have in Windsor. I don't know the city of Sarnia very well and there's no place to easily stop between Sarnia and London. Hmmm ... maybe a bunch of us Dis'ers should get together and open a franchise.

I guess if it works for you, great ... but I would never recommend Port Huron over Detroit based on our own personal experiences. JMHO

 

[disney's daughter]

I always try to use Air Tran...and fly out of Flint, Michigan...(to Orlando) So far, I have had no problems...I like to go on the earliest flight possible...and that is usually straight through.

 

[Pugmom25]

We flew Air Tran to Ft. Lauderdale in January and it was a good experience. There was a flight delay due to weather which they can't control but they kept us informed and everything was well organized. I liked Air Tran so much that I've booked a flight through them for our trip to Disney in October. They do have some great prices!

 

[esdras]

Wow ... I'm very surprised at the whole "cross at Sarnia, not Windsor". Going INTO the US, the only problems I've ever countered were in Port Huron. they are soooo slow there ... I've never waited more than 10 minutes in Detroit. I love the Detroit crossing, although if you don't know where you're going once you get across, it can be a little nerve-wracking. I will agree that getting on 69/94 right off the bridge in Port Huron is nice.

Coming home, I say Detroit all the way. Only once did we hit a major snag in Detroit where it was 2 hours. In Port Huron, it's often a 45 minute wait, and on last Thursday night, it was 2 hours to get across. the cars were on the bridge and NOT moving at all for a good part of it. It was totally crazy, and DH and I both remarked how if we had been coming home from Florida, we would never cross here.

Oh, and they really need a Timmie's right after the bridge, like they have in Windsor. I don't know the city of Sarnia very well and there's no place to easily stop between Sarnia and London. Hmmm ... maybe a bunch of us Dis'ers should get together and open a franchise.

I guess if it works for you, great ... but I would never recommend Port Huron over Detroit based on our own personal experiences. JMHO

There are probably a number of factors regarding where to cross. While it's true that Windsor is a busier crossing, that also means (usually) more staff on both sides. It's true that crossing at Sarnia when it's busy can be horrible.

However, when we went to Disney in '06, we planned our week long stay to leave on a Tuesday and return on a Monday - since weekday flights are often cheaper than weekend ones. Because of that, we crossed at Sarnia at about 10am on a Tuesday morning, and crossed back at about 3pm on a Monday afternoon. Neither of those are really peak crossing times. That probably helped, and we're hoping we can schudle something similar for the trip we've tentatively planned for this August.

 

[maggieb9975]

Thanks OP for asking this as I am flying AIRTRAN out of detroit in October...I live 1 1/2 hr N. of London and all these tips and reviews are great!

I was really worried about booking my flight too soon and missing out on better deals but I am glad now that I have booked. My flight times are great, early in morning going and early evening coming back and nonstop. I paid $198.00 return and that includes paying extra for our seat selection.

 

[MikeJ]

Thanks OP for asking this as I am flying AIRTRAN out of detroit in October...I live 1 1/2 hr N. of London and all these tips and reviews are great!

I was really worried about booking my flight too soon and missing out on better deals but I am glad now that I have booked. My flight times are great, early in morning going and early evening coming back and nonstop. I paid $198.00 return and that includes paying extra for our seat selection.

Maggie,

If you live that far north of London and assuming you're driving, crossing at Sarnia is really the best alternative for you (from where? Listowel? Walkerton?). There are a number of good (and some not-so-good) hotels with Sleep, Park & Fly deals near DTW. Check out the sticky thread at the top of the Canadian Board page if you haven't already done so. We've stayed at number of them and can tell you which ones to avoid.

- Mike

 

[KNovacovschi]

We flew Airtan in August...we went from Buffalo-Atlanta-Orlando and the same back as well...we loved the flight...mind you that was the first time on an airplane but my DH has been on them enough to know the difference and he enjoyed the flight very much...we didn't have that long of a wait over in Atlanta either, which I found good because my DD has very little patience for waiting...I know we will be flying with Airtran again whe we go in 2009...

 

[mastersd]

We have flown both. We have got excellent prices from both. The only thing to watch is Spirit has a luggage fee--NO FREE BAGS. You don't have to pay for your carry on, but the overhead compartments get very full. It can be a problem to get off and on the plane becuse of how full the overhead compartments are. The luggage fee is $20.00 per suitcase (must be under 50lbs). If you pay for suitcases before you go it is $10.00 each.

Air Tran charges to choose you seats before you go--$7 (I think) Spirit has no charge for choosing your seats a head of time.

Air tran provides a non alcholic drink with refills plus free ear phones for the radio. Spirit provides nothing. But you can buy drinks and snacks with you credit or debit cards.
There's my 2 cents
Deanna

 

[esdras]

I had no idea about Spirit's luggage fee. To avoid the cost, you kind of lose the benefit of Disney's Magical Express. Last trip, we each took a very small carry on (essentials in case of lost luggage) and each checked one bag. Even with advanced payment, the BEST Spirit fare is still $10 more. So, unless Spirit beats AirTran or Southwest by at least $10, they're out as an option.

Also, from what I've noticed, their schedule from Detroit to Orlando isn't as good as Southwest or AirTran.

 

[maggieb9975]

Maggie,

If you live that far north of London and assuming you're driving, crossing at Sarnia is really the best alternative for you (from where? Listowel? Walkerton?). There are a number of good (and some not-so-good) hotels with Sleep, Park & Fly deals near DTW. Check out the sticky thread at the top of the Canadian Board page if you haven't already done so. We've stayed at number of them and can tell you which ones to avoid.

- Mike

Hi Mike, I live in the booming town of Wingham

My DD age 25 and myself are going and I still haven't decided what we are doing for sure. I grew up in TO but now live in the boonies and not used to major city driving or interstate stuff...I will do it if I have to so we are mulling over a few options. Our flight leaves at 8:00 AM Friday Oct 17 and comes back at 9:30 PM Nov 2. We are gone for 18 days! We are doing WDW, Universal and a cruise!

Option 1. Drive to Detroit via Sarnia on Thursday Oct 16 and stay at a park and fly hotel. Parking will be fairly costly as we need for so long. Cost
$ 350.00 at Crowne Plaza.( for 2 nights and parking)

Option 2. Drive to Windsor, park car at Hampton Inn "for free" and get Robert Q bus to Courtyard Marriott in Detroit and then get shuttle early morning from hotel to airport. Get shuttle back to Windsor and stay overnight in Windsor at Hampton Inn.Total Cost $418.00 ( Robert Q $136 for 2, Courtyard $132 and Hampton $150).

Any advice? Also would love to hear about hotels..I have read the sticky but would appreciate your input. Have you stayed at the Crowne Plaza.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

We use both Spirit and Airtran regularly (4-5 times per year). I like both of them!
Remember when checking Airtran, look at the fares from Flint as well as Detroit.
Most importantly, if you choose to fly Spirit and also plan to use "checked bags", there is a fee for EACH checked bag (none free). If you pay ahead of time it is $10 per bag each way. If you wait to check them at the airport it is $20 per bag each way. Remember to factor that into the fare!