Air Tran

[emma'smom]

MY DH flies Airtran weekly with few issues. However, we flew as a family from Pittsburg to LAX through Atlanta for our last DCL cruise and it was a DISASTER.

We checked our bags...and when we got to LAX at 11pm, one bag was missing. Checked in with the baggage attendant who located it noting it was in Jacksonville, FL (code: JAX).So-- this is clear incompetence on the part of Airtran. Nothing the could do-- maybe it would come in time for the cruise the next day...maybe not. Couldn't really....

We asked if they could at least tell us when it was on the first plane (from JAX to ATL) and could we call back to know whether it was on the 2nd plane (ATL to LAX) to know whether we should try to shop for clothes on a Sunday morning when we were trying to get to the port.

Couldn't do that...they don't track bags. What do you mean? You don't know what bags you have on your flights? Aren't they supposed to match the passenger manifest? No...we don't really know. Can't track them until they turn up unclaimed---but then they aren't actually tracked ON to planes.

We called Atlanta Baggage Dept-- and they were incredibly rude.

The Jacksonville folks were actually great. The person at their lost baggage area actually called my cell phone and left a message that she has put it on the right trolley to get it on the ATL plane. They couldn't officially track it, but she wanted me to know.

We ended up find the only thing open on a Sunday morning-- a Target and buying 300.00 worth of cheap clothing (for a family ) to get us through-- just in case the bag didn't show up. It did (and I later returned all the clothes)...but we made it to the port very late and paid a fortune in cab fair to get to Target and back.

Next time-- I taking everything carry-on!

 

[KBW]

As for people who don't pay the fee thinking they are "special." That's a pretty big assumption. When you buy tix online thru Air Tran, they show you all seats available on the plane and it is presented as, these seats (ie, those in a better spot...closer to front, bulkhead, etc.) have an extra fee associated with them; these less ideal ones (ie, back of plane, etc) do NOT have a fee...

 

[jessica52877]

I've flown airtran since they were valujet and never had a real problem. I really like them! I always pay for our seats and am never on a flight that isn't full no matter where I fly to, but I fly out of Atlanta and that probably explains it.

I do hope with Southwest buying them out that they continue to have great service and not much changes unless it is better for me. Their prices can't be beat, even factoring in paying for my seat.

 

[jessica52877]

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!

It's very cheap for what you are getting, I think $6 each way per person. I know it adds up for a family, but having peace of my that my child is next to me is well worth the extra $. They have other seats that cost more (emergency exit, etc) .

 

[jmddcj]

We are traveling next week from MSP to MCO and I logged on to look at the flights...I was mortified to see there were no blocks of seats open we are a family of 6 me, DH, DS16,DS13,DS4,DS2. I cannot imagine not being seated at least with my younger boys! I called the Airtran number and they were able to open up some seats (for a price) and confirm our seats together. What an awful start or end to a vacation having petrified children on a plane with strangers!

 

[ttigger81]

I flew from Allentown to MCO at the end of February! Everything went perfectly. I just enjoy flying from Allentown instead of PHL...much less hassle! I'm not sure about purchasing an assigned seat...I had bought a last minute ticket and when I checked in on-line they let me choose an open seat (I picked an aisle seat close to the front) and did not pay. However; since it was last minute and I was traveling solo I figured as long as I had a seat on the plane I would be happy Enjoy your trip!

 

[NYEmomma]

Ohhhhh crap.

My parents bought our plane tix & I don't think any of us knew about the ability & NEED to purchase specific seats. This will be DD's first flight and I absolutely HAVE to have at least 2 seats (preferably 3) together.

Is there any way at all that I can purchase seats now, even though we've already bought tickets? I'm more than willing to pay the fees to ensure that we can sit together.

 

[andymattmom]

I edited the original post of mine where I stated some people thought they were special and didn't need to pay. I apologize once again for offending anyone.

 

[andymattmom]

Ohhhhh crap.

My parents bought our plane tix & I don't think any of us knew about the ability & NEED to purchase specific seats. This will be DD's first flight and I absolutely HAVE to have at least 2 seats (preferably 3) together.

Is there any way at all that I can purchase seats now, even though we've already bought tickets? I'm more than willing to pay the fees to ensure that we can sit together.

Call Airtran and talk to representative NOW!

 

[annacali]

Don't panic...you can just pull up your reservation online and select and pay for your seats at anytime. If your flight is still a few weeks or months away you won't have any problem at all. If it is within the 24 hour period before you leave, you won't have to pay for seats but you might not have much to select from either. Have a great trip!

 

[CandleontheWater]

We flew Airtran from Regan in DC to MCO last year, and really didn't have any problems. The only thing that bothered me is that I booked a non-stop flight, and a few months before my trip they canceled the non-stop and booked us through Atlanta. I really wanted a non-stop flying with a small child, but it all worked out in the end. Just be wary that your non-stop may not end up that way.

 

[NewlyDisneyCrazed]

Wow! I was totally naive about flights in general I think! I had no idea that 1) booking four tickets at the same time does not equal four seats together, 2) flight times could be changed or 3) they could make a non-stop flight have a layover! It sort of blows my mind! (I don't fly much, can you tell?) Is this one of those "get what you pay for" type things when you search cheap flights on the internet? Or do all airlines do these types of things?

Thanks to all of you for the heads-up! I will be sure to call and pay whatever I have to to make sure my 5 and 7 year old sit with a parent on their first airplane ride ever! Wow, I would of been furious had I not found out about "preferred seats" in time!

 

[TeaForTulips]

We booked AirTran a few days ago. SO glad I came across the AirTran threads on here. I went back and paid for reserved seats for our party of 7 flying in including a 3 and 5 year old. ($84)

I have flown a lot, but not on too many different airlines and never AirTran. I am used to family boarding where after people who paid for their seats board, they allow people with small children to board giving them the ability to claim remaining seats so they can sit together.

We booked round trip non-stop flights from Dallas to MCO for about $260 per person. I am now praying they don't change the flight after reading everything!

Thanks for all the sharing!

 

[ccgirl]

Wow! I was totally naive about flights in general I think! I had no idea that 1) booking four tickets at the same time does not equal four seats together, 2) flight times could be changed or 3) they could make a non-stop flight have a layover! It sort of blows my mind! (I don't fly much, can you tell?) Is this one of those "get what you pay for" type things when you search cheap flights on the internet? Or do all airlines do these types of things?

Thanks to all of you for the heads-up! I will be sure to call and pay whatever I have to to make sure my 5 and 7 year old sit with a parent on their first airplane ride ever! Wow, I would of been furious had I not found out about "preferred seats" in time!

Yes, as you have read 4 tickets is just that 4 tickets, it is not the actual seats. All airlines change flight times and will also make a non-stop have a layover if they need to. They can also change the size of planes. Again, this is all airlines not just Airtran.

I used to fly frequently for work and had more issues with the $$$ legacy carriers than the "inexpensive" ones. We flew Airtran and loved them. Their seats felt a bit more crowded but, other than that, they were wonderful.

You can't really fault an airline for rude passengers. I saw a lot of folks trying to carry on a carry on that was obviously too large hoping to avoid the baggage fee. This held up boarding. Also, people that didn't know they had to purchase seats. I can see not knowing if you have never flown. But, I have also read many threads where parents said, they can't separate me from my child so I am not going to pay, I don't care what you say.

Now, everyone reading this thread knows you have to pay for the seats if you really want to seat next to someone. When you book on airtran, and other carriers, you can click the little seat icon and it will tell you what seats are open. If the seat configuration is not available that I need, I move on to another flight. I don't just go ahead and book it and assume they will move people around to accommodate me (not saying anyone on this thread would do that, I have just seen it happen MANY times). On Airtran after you put in the names of the passengers, it prompts you to continue without seats or select seats. There is even nice pictures and one of the choices is sit together. If you click that, a picture of the seats comes up and you can hover over the seats to see what the $$ associated to them is. I believe they are $15 - $6 depending on the location. The $6 is still better than the $10 people pay at SW for a chance at a better boarding position, not even an actual seat.

BTW, if the airfare goes down they will give you a credit toward a future flight just like SW does. That happened on our last flight and I used the credit for our baggage fee and our bags flew free!

 

[Vowelmommy]

I just read this and I am SO glad I did! I booked 3 seats together for myself and the 2 youngest kids (4&2) . DH and the older boys are on their own. (10&13) If we manage to get seats together, great. If not they will be fine, as long as I am with the little kids.

 

[tripletmommiesrock]

DH and I fly them all the time. I don't think we've ever flown to Orlando and not flown them (we have family that lives there). We've never had a problem with them. They are usually on time, and we've never lost luggage or anything. Have fun.

 

[Native NYer]

We flew Airtran last summer and had no problems. Luckily, our flights never changed.

 

[NewlyDisneyCrazed]

Thanks so much for all the advice! I went online and for $48 I now have peace of mind that the four of us will be together and my kids each have window seats with a parent beside them. And because it's a smaller plane with one aisle, my DH and I both have aisle seats! I'm so happy I found this out ahead of time! And here's hoping the fare goes down and we can use the credit for baggage. Thanks again everyone!

 

[KBW]

One other thing that I discovered....If you book a non-refundable ticket and they change the time of the flight, they do allow you to cancel your ticket and will give you a refund. I'm guessing there are still some restrictions, e.g., it has to be more than a few minutes difference in either takeoff or landing time. This happened to my sister on our trip in December....they moved her flight up (maybe by about an hour?...don't know for sure). The new time didn't work for her, and they allowed her to cancel all 5 tickets. She ended up rebooking on SW and actually got a better deal.