Air Tran

[krislati]

Anyone fly airtran? This is our first time, we usually use southwest but they were way cheaper this time. Anything you didn't like about them? I will be traveling with a 1 yr old, 7yr old and hubby.

 

[JessRabbit]

We have flown them a few times with our 7 yr old and have had no problems.
We are flying Air Tran again in June. This trip will also include an infant.
The attendants were very friendly and helpful.

 

[juliebean]

Not sure if it is Airtran or the Philadelphia airport, but last year and our trip last week - both times Airtran and the flight out of PHL - our bags have ended up with multiple rips in the backs. First time, old bag - I didn't bother letting them know. This time, new bag I liked and paid a lot for, and it got destroyed the first time I used it. The only thing they would do was offer a $50 travel voucher. It's going to cost way more than that to replace it.

Also, I hate to pay for seat assignments, but it might be necessary on a full flight. Going to MCO we had seats together, on the way back the best I could find at check in was 2/2/1 throughout the plane. It was okay because our oldest can sit by himself, but with young kids I'd probably pay to know they are next to me in the future.

I'm not planning on flying Airtran again because of the luggage and paying for seat assignment. But, if it was a LOT less I probably would, just financially with 5 tickets I have to be realistic about that.

 

[Minnesota!]

We like them. They messed up big time about 16 months ago and comped us 6 free round trip flights...so that redeemed them in my eyes.

We have flown them 4 times roundtrip with kids...and that part has been great. But I WOULD pay for assigned seating for at least one adult with the child.

 

[krislati]

Thanks. I am flying from Allentown, so hopefully the baggage will not be an issue. I paid for the assigned seating for all four of us. I don't want to be separated, I still found it cheaper than any other airline, even southwest.

 

[disny_luvr]

Friends of ours flew AirTran out of Allentown in December and had a great experience. They didn't pay extra to choose their seats but wished they had. We usually fly Southwest too but are thinking of flying out of Allentown for some of our upcoming trips.

 

[andymattmom]

Anyone fly airtran? This is our first time, we usually use southwest but they were way cheaper this time. Anything you didn't like about them? I will be traveling with a 1 yr old, 7yr old and hubby.

We flew them IND to MCO 3 years ago and loved them. No issues. Flight times changed BUT that worked out for our benefit and they are great about changing you to flight of your choice when they make changes. I would check regularly for flight changes---on this and any airline. You will probably catch sooner than they email you change.

IF it is important to sit with your children PAY AHEAD FOR ASSIGNED SEATS. There is an older thread in transportation area on this subject. There are SEVERAL reports of people being separated from kids---or having to switch flights because flight attendants won't move people to accommodate those who didn't pay for their seats and are separated from their kids. It is Russian roulette to chance the seats being available at the 24 hour mark...MCO is a popular destination for families and people don't want to be apart from their kids.

Have a fun trip......plan the seat assignment fee in the price of the plane tickets when comparing with other airlines.

 

[brookmey]

I had some clients fly AirTran from Detroit to MCO with their 3 kids, one of them being a 13 month old lap infant. They said the flight attendants were great with the infant. She was fussy and restless before takeoff and the attendants played with her and entertained her to help her relax. While in the air, they paid special attention to the family and the baby. The family appreciated all the help and now only wants to fly AirTran. They did have to pay extra for seat assignments, but as a PP said, you pretty much have to if you want to sit with your kids. BTW, they got an awesome price, about $160 pp, so paying the baggage fees and seat assignments were no big deal.

 

[ZeroMyHero]

We flew AirTran the last time we went to WDW and it was fine. No problems. FWIW, Southwest Airlines purchased AirTran last fall, so I would assume that AirTran's service will be a lot like Southwest's now.

 

[amylevan]

Have flown Airtran out of Allentown twice now - both time I purchased seat assignments because I was flying with a lap child by myself so I wanted aisle and as close to the front as possible. (I wanted to be off that plane ASAP!) No problems, complaints or anything really to note.

But I do LOVE flying out of Allentown after years of Philly and Newark. Security is a cinch, parking is beyond easy, and getting in and out of the airport is easy as pie. Love it!

 

[krislati]

Have flown Airtran out of Allentown twice now - both time I purchased seat assignments because I was flying with a lap child by myself so I wanted aisle and as close to the front as possible. (I wanted to be off that plane ASAP!) No problems, complaints or anything really to note.

But I do LOVE flying out of Allentown after years of Philly and Newark. Security is a cinch, parking is beyond easy, and getting in and out of the airport is easy as pie. Love it!

That is what I am looking forward to. The Philly airport is madness when it comes to parking, at least every time we flew from there. We got out tix for 187.50 with assigned seating in row 12 (the closest coach row to the front) so we can all be together. I purchased both aisle seats so we can pass the baby back and forth. DD with sit in the middle seat and hopefully no one will chose the seat next her for more room...lol. Just like you I wanted to be as close to the front as possible so I can get off asap. Also air tran from allentown was cheaper than philly...not sure why.

 

[dragonfly08]

We flew AirTran for our visit earlier this month. No major problems. Both flights to Orlando (we had a connection in Atlanta) were delayed for maintenance checks. On the first leg I don't know what the issue was, but it only took 10 minutes so no big deal. The second wait was almost an hour but that was in no way AirTran's fault...a plastic baggie apparently flew through one of our engines as we were approaching the runway so for safety reasons they returned us to the gate and fully inspected the engine (there were pieces still left in there according to the captain, so as tough as the delay was I'm still glad they put safety first).

Our return trip was uneventful. I've flown them before and would fly them again if they offered the best fare.

 

[luckyfin]

We fly Airtran frequently and have never had any problems. I am annoyed that we have to pay for all checked bags now, but I try to factor that into the big picture. It was super easy to prepay for the checked bags over the phone from WDW for our return flight. I never prepay for seat assignments. Our return flight from MCO had DH and I split up on both legs but the attendant at the gate was able to change the seat assignments no problem for both legs of the flight and didn't even blink when I asked even though both legs were completely booked.

 

[NewlyDisneyCrazed]

My DH and 2 kids and I are flying AirTran for the first time in August (Detroit to Orlando) so I was drawn to this thread. Now I'm scared...I have never heard of paying for assigned seats so we won't be separated from our kids. Would they actually give a 5 year old a seat somewhere without at least one parent?????? Does anyone know how much extra it costs to make sure that doesn't happen? Thanks!

 

[annacali]

This is our second year flying with them and I love, love, love their customer service. Yes, they have changed our flight times multiple times but really, they have changed it about 6 times since January and at this point we are within an hour of where we started from (though we have strayed a lot farther than that!). But even when I have accepted a change and then they added something that worked better, they change me with no problem.

I do prepay for seats though...single mom with two young kids that I don't want sitting alone. They have transferred the seats thru each flight change no problem too---something I had no end of trouble with on Delta, where we eventually ended up with no assigned seats at all!

 

[The Hendies]

We have flown Airtran a dozen or more times and have been mostly satisfied. Usually on time, and no baggage issues. The only time we ran into trouble was our trip last with both DS's. During our Atlanta to MCO leg, an engine blew and we were diverted back to Atlanta. Emergency landing complete with runway lined with fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. I could be wrong, but I don't remember breathing during the rest of the flight!!! It was pretty scary, but a pilot friend says it was not as dangerous as we thought! In any case, our trip was comped at just $100. per person. Somehow, I thought it should be more! DH and I are headed to WDW again in November, mostly compliments of Airtran.

 

[andymattmom]

My DH and 2 kids and I are flying AirTran for the first time in August (Detroit to Orlando) so I was drawn to this thread. Now I'm scared...I have never heard of paying for assigned seats so we won't be separated from our kids. Would they actually give a 5 year old a seat somewhere without at least one parent?????? Does anyone know how much extra it costs to make sure that doesn't happen? Thanks!

Here is a link to a thread where people have seen what happens to those who choose NOT to pay for seat assignments.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2624648&highlight=airtran+seats
Yes, they can separate you if you choose not to pay for seats. Go to the Airtran website and it will list the fees...simple as that. Think of it this way...you and family are in MCO for your return flight. You chose NOT to purchase seats. Everyone else DID pay for their seats because it is important for them to sit together. At the 24 hour mark you found middle seats scattered throughout the plane. You check-in and ask to be seated together--the gate agent says there are no more seats. You are getting upset now...how can kids NOT be sitting with their parents (well everyone elses kid is sitting by them). So you start to get demanding...saying they HAVE to move people around so you can sit with your child (even if it is only 1 parent and 1 child by each other). Gate agent won't budge. You get on the plane and just sit in the seat next to your kid figuring the person who had that seat won't mind switching. WRONG...that person had paid the fee for that seat and the seat you are offering is in back of plane by bathroom in the window---you want their aisle up front seat. Do you think they will switch---NOPE. Do they have to NOPE. Can the flight attendant force them to move---NOPE.

Pay for the seats. I would not take the chance because someone here had luck at the 24 hour mark. You don't know how many others are checking in at the 24 hour mark. If it is important to sit with your family PAY FOR THE SEATS AHEAD OF TIME. If it comes down to money cut costs elsewhere on your vacation. Don't gamble if it is important because they don't have to move people so you can sit together. We flew Airtran. My kids were 12 and 13 at the time. We prepaid for seats so we could sit together. I wouldn't have moved for anyone. We flew Delta 3 weeks ago. Someone was sitting in an aisle seat I had reserved for my 15.5 year old 6'1'' son. He thought it was his and the middle was my sons. NOPE ...even though we didn't pay I made sure I kept on top of the plane/flight changes so we all had aisles across from each other in 2 rows. I want my family together and we would pay if we had to. My son took his aisle seat---this man didn't want to be by the almost 2 year old child on mom's lap near window. Mom was pooh-size so they were hanging in the middle seat.

Pay for seats...read through that thread I linked if you doubt they separate people or if people won't move.

I REMOVED THE LINE WHICH HAD OFFENDED SOME AND APOLOGIZE ONCE AGAIN FOR SAYING SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY WERE SPECIAL AND DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR SEATS.

 

[luckyfin]

It seems kind of harsh to say that people who choose not to pay for the seat assignments think that they are special. I think that the majority of people who choose not to pay understand the risk that they are taking.

 

[andymattmom]

Maybe I shouldn't have worded it as they think they are special. I apologize for offending....

Although we all know some people do think they are special and don't need to do stuff the majority of us have to do>

 

[KBW]

Personally, I much prefer Southwest. We don't fly frequently, but I normally choose SW if possible, mainly because of the no checked baggage fees. My 2 DDs and I went to WDW in December without my DH...he had to work It was the first time we travelled without him (two of them, one of me), and also the first time on AirTran.

We flew out of PHL. Trip down was easy and uneventful. Trip back was an absolute nightmare. First, looooong lines for security (about 45 min when we left out of MCO). I don't blame AirTran for that one, but it was the start of the trouble. We got our seat assignments and they had us all sitting in separate rows (my DDs were 9 and 5, so yes that was a problem!). I told them that when I purchased the tix, I chose specific seats. They basically shrugged and told me I was mistaken and there was no way to choose seats when you purchased tix UNLESS you chose the preferred seats and paid the fee. Well, I happened to be traveling back from Orlando with my sister, BIL, Niece, Nephew, BIL's mom, and friends of theirs--a family of 7. They ALL chose their seats and none of them paid any extra fees. When I told the gate agent about my sister being on teh flight with seats all together, all I got was "Well, it's a full flight, and I can't move anyone who has an assigned seat. But you can board once everyone else is already on the plane and ask people next to you to change seats with you." Really?? WHO is going to want to exchange their aisle or window seat for one of the middle seats that you assigned the three of us? And I assume there will be no room left in the overhead bins for my carry-on bags, which means you'll probably want to charge me the checked bag fee? I again reminded the gate agent of the ages of my children. He finally agreed to upgrade someone sitting next to me, so I could get 2 seats together. (Hello gate agent?? Did I mention that I have TWO children under age 10???) In the end my BIL sat by himself (which I knew he would), and one of my DDs sat with my Sis. But who knows what would have happened if I didn't know other people on the flight?

So, all the seat drama is settled, and we arrive in PHL at about 9:00 on a Thursday night. Of course, we were all sitting in the back of the plane (me, my sis, her friends)....So we waited for everyone to get off so we wouldn't need to fight the crowd. I went to go get my bags, and wouldn't you know? someone else had walked off with one of them!! I immediately talked to the flight attendants and a gate agent. They basically told me "Oh, yeah, that happens all the time. If they left THEIR bag, make sure YOU take that one. Otherwise you'll probably never see yours again. Good luck with that." HUH? So, I quickly opened and searched the other bag and got a phone #. Was it a cell phone # for the person? Of course not!! Had to leave a message at their home. Luckily, the woman's son heard the message as I was leaving it, called his dad i a panic, who called the woman, who called me on my cell, while we were both still at the airport. We made a quick exchange of bags. It was an honest mistake on the other passenger's part, but AirTran people did NOTHING to help.

So, my advice, pay a bit extra for the preferred seating if you really want it and don't carry on a black wheeled suitcase!