Air Tran

[SandrainNC]

Can I get some opinions on Air Tran? I am not a flyer. Swore I would never do it again in 1998. And yet here I am researching flights for February. I have never heard of Air Tran so just would like some opinions. It looks like it has to be that or US Airways for me to have a non-stop flight.

Thanks!!

Sandra

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Air Tran is my carrier of choice to MCO. I've never had any problems with them. I fly them out of ATL and don't normally book my flights until 60 days from when I'll be flying.

Some folks have had their times changed but if you don't like the new times, you can do some minor research, find a time that works better for you, call up the Airtran customer service line and have them change you to that flight at no charge.

I forgot to add that if you are flying with your family, you will probably want to pay to book seats together. Sometimes there are no seats together if you wait to get your seat assignments until check in and you would have to sit apart. I pay for my seat because I like to be near the front of the plane to get on and off quickly.

 

[SandrainNC]

Thank you so much! It is just going to be me and my boyfriend this trip. I definitely would need to sit beside him for fear of flying support!

So you are saying the rates I am seeing there would be an extra fee to go ahead and get seats assigned?

 

[kaffinito]

There is an extra fee to get seats assigned. I get the seats up front too - so I think mine are the $12 seats. I think.

I have an absolute fear of flying too, but am relatively relaxed on AirTran. I like them for some reason and will be bummed when southwest completes their takeover.

I also bring headphones for the free satellite radio, and take Ativan (Lorazapam) so I am more relaxed on the flight.

 

[SandrainNC]

Thank you!

Is that a prescription? I need to write that down.

 

[Christine9125]

We just flew them from Dayton to MCO, we are hoping Southwest keeps the flights here when they complete the take over.

Anyway, we love them, it was the first time we flew since 1999. The seats range from $6 a seat to $14 a seat depending on where you want to sit.

 

[SandrainNC]

Ok, I see what you are saying about the seats. Thank you so much!

 

[mkoerner]

You can also choose your seats on AirTran when you preboard once you're within the 24 hour flight window for no charge. For me, I'd rather pay the $6 per seat ahead of time and know we are sitting together.

 

[quirty30]

Airtran is my favorite airline, so much so that I fly them even though they don't serve O'Hare Airport, which is just a couple of miles from my house. We either drive to Midway or Milwaukee, which is bit inconvenient, but once there, it's so much smoother than dealing with security & the sheer size of O'Hare.

I find their staff to be very friendly & helpful; I love that if business class is still available when it's time for online check-in, that you can upgrade for $69 a person. The upgrade includes 2 free checked bags (a $45 value) and free drinks. And if you've already paid for a seat, they apply that towards the cost. I think it's a no-brainer and do it every chance I get. At MKE, it also gives you access to the priority security line, which saved me once; I never would have made my flight otherwise.

I, too, worry about the changes that will be implemented once the Southwest merger is complete. But for now I will continue to book & fly Airtran.

P.S. I hear a lot that flight times are changed. I've never seen them vary more than 10-15 minutes, which doesn't bother me.

 

[buckirj1]

I like AirTran, but they tend to change flight times. I don't know if this is on all routings from all cities, but it's happened to me more often than not. This probably won't matter if you can stay pretty flexible and aren't on a strict timetable.

 

[SandrainNC]

Thanks everybody!

Using AirTran would save us about $110.00 total over US Airways and that is with a $150 US Airways voucher my boyfriend got the other week when he got bumped from a flight. The bad thing is there is only one flight going nonstop and one coming back nonstop on our dates of travel. Going is 10:20 a.m. and coming back is 5:13 p.m. So not much to choose from timewise. I will have to see what BF says about the times. And a layover is not happening.

 

[daaasmith]

We do like to fly Airtran, and have had no problems thus far with this carrier. As others have stated, I would recommend pre purchasing the seats in order to sit together. I like it just for peace of mind, cannot imagine not sitting with my children. They do charge for checked luggage-even the 1st bag. Not sure how this compares to others as we usually fly Airtran or Southwest. It is a big shock comparing SW, as they allow 2 free checked bags before charging. Hope you have a great flight and trip!

 

[SandrainNC]

Thanks! I would definitely pay the fee to go ahead and get the seats together. And as far as paying for checked luggage, the only other one I have checked is US Airways and it is like $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second. So they do it too. I am used to packing whatever I want in the car, so this is going to be very hard for me!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

AirTran used to be ValuJet, whose accident rate (1996) was fourteen times that of legacy carriers. Do a Google search for flight 592.

As AirTran, their safety record is pretty good; only 2 major incidents, no fatalities, both in 1998.

 

[plutolovr]

Thanks everybody!

Using AirTran would save us about $110.00 total over US Airways and that is with a $150 US Airways voucher my boyfriend got the other week when he got bumped from a flight. The bad thing is there is only one flight going nonstop and one coming back nonstop on our dates of travel. Going is 10:20 a.m. and coming back is 5:13 p.m. So not much to choose from timewise. I will have to see what BF says about the times. And a layover is not happening.

If you were looking at US Airways over the weekend, that would be a big No-No. NEVER look at legacy carriers flight prices over a weekend. That flight will most likely be lower on Tuesday/Wednesday.

 

[SandrainNC]

Do you mean traveling on a Tuesday or just looking at it on a Tuesday?

 

[ccgirl]

I just wanted to add that they will give you a ticketless travel credit if your price goes down. Our flight went down in price and we used the credit to pay for our baggage fee. I loved them. I was hesitant at first as I have only flown SW. They were great. They served drinks a few times with snacks and they have satellite radio so I brought my own headphones. We paid the $6 and I LOVED that as opposed to trying to find seats together once we boarded. Even with the seat and luggage fees they were a good deal cheaper than SW. So sad SW and AIrTran merged.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

Do you have to purchase your seat assignments right when you buy your ticket, or can you do it anytime between purchase and flight date? TIA!

 

[ccgirl]

Do you have to purchase your seat assignments right when you buy your ticket, or can you do it anytime between purchase and flight date? TIA!

You can purchase at any time. The availability will probably decrease in that time though. In addition, you can book seats free of charge 24 hours in advance if you want to take the chance and wait. When I am travelling myself I just do that and usually get stuck with a middle seat.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

You can purchase at any time. The availability will probably decrease in that time though. In addition, you can book seats free of charge 24 hours in advance if you want to take the chance and wait. When I am travelling myself I just do that and usually get stuck with a middle seat.

Thanks, we're thinking of trying AirTran for the first time. With 2 kids and some of the stories I've read, I think we should spring for the assigned seats. But, I'm also kind of hoping rates might go down before we'd travel, so it would be nice to apply any savings toward seat and/or baggage fees later on.