AirTran Airways

[doombuggy]

Has anyone flown this airline before? I am going to go down to WDW for the Happy haunts Ball and was going to possibly buy a r/t ticket on this airline. Any input would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[Kelly&John]

We are taking AirTran for the first time this October. I've heard good and bad things. We'll be leaving from Akron, OH with a direct flight to Orlando, FL.

I'll make up my mind in a few months.

Kelly

 

[mickey7861]

We flew Air Tran a few years ago from PVD. The flight attendants were great, the plane was in super shape, we loved it. The only reason we don't use them anymore is they no longer fly out of PVD, only BOS. One draw back, they don't issue seat assignments. When you arrive you get a pass with a number on it, those that arrive first get to board first and you sit anywhere you want.

 

[2boys'mom]

I live in Atlanta where Airtran originates from. If it weren't for Airtran, Delta would charge $ 500 for every round trip ticket. I love Airtran for being there to compete with Delta. We have flown Airtran several times over the years. We always have had good service, polite staff. They are certainly more helpful than Delta, too. They have good prices to their locations and have frequent specials, too. I would go on Airtran. We fly Delta to places Airtran doesn't go to.

 

[Lainy67]

Not to WDW, however I flew to DC once, and it was great. They did (do?) have a feature where you can pay 25$ to upgrade to first class per leg of the trip. I lucked out since my flight number was the same from DC to Dallas, even though I had to change planes and got it for 25$ for both legs. That was pretty cool.

I had no problems with them. We aren't flying them this time since I got a feal on a straight flight with American, but if not for that we definitely would have flown AirTran.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

I have never flow Air Tran. However, I just booked to round trip, non-stop tickets from BWI to MCO, $253 with taxes and fees ($126.50 per). Not a bad price.

 

[mco-missy]

I have flown AirTran many times out of and into Orlando. As a matter of fact I am flying with them tomorrow to Virginia. I have never had a problem with them. They have always been on time. And you certainly can't beat their prices!

 

[nicolep91]

We flew AirTran from Toledo, OH to Orlando last year and we would fly with them anytime. The stewards/strewardesses were very friendly and accomodating and our flights (including our 2 stop-overs) were on time and even early on occassion! The only negative part of our flight was that we were in DC9s for the majority of it and I don't care for flying in smaller jets - you can feel every little bump.

Hope that helps!
Nicole

 

[tednvon]

We Always fly ATRAN from Moline to Orlando..no frills but no problems in 20 plus trips....major positive is the Atlanta Terminal for ATran is a small area at the far end of the huge airport,so transferring planes is a breeze with no long walks through the airports to far away gates...enjoy...Ted

 

[doombuggy]

Thanks for all the input and keep 'em coming! Once I get approval from work for my vacation, I will book the flight. Can't beat the price, and the other airline that flys direct from our airport may be bankrupt by the end of the summer.

 

[Traveliz]

Airtran in all my flights with them has never issued a boarding number -- rather they don't assign seats until you arrive at the airport but then they assign them all the way through - so I just make a point to be there asap to make sure we are all seated together - so far its never been a probem.

Liz

 

[TurtleMan]

We live in Atlanta and fly via AirTran several times a year - both business and pleasure. We have never had a problem - at the most, we were delayed by an hour one time - no big deal. The prices are great and the employees are professional and friendly. Whatever you choose, have fun!

 

[Gemm01]

Just used Airtran last Friday to fly to back to Houston from the "World". I thought they were great. The planes were new. I would definately use them again.

 

[nitsak]

We flew AirTran 4 times this last year, from Pgh to Tampa. Had no problems. The planes were new and very clean. Checking into flights for this Sept.

 

[JDY]

I've never flown Airtran but my younger brother flew it to Boston not long ago. He said the trip up was fine. The trip back was another story. He thinks the pilot must have learned to fly as a Navy carrier pilot because the pilot came in fast and then "Bam, smacked the deck like he had cut the engines 50 feet up."

Just 2 cents worth. Incidently, AirTran stopped service to Knoxville so no more really cheap fares.

 

[doombuggy]

One of the flights that I was looking at last week for this airline is gone now, I think. I will have to call them, and end up rearanging my schedule. For $176 r/t, it's worth it.

I did see the notice about the $25 upgrade. I guess if their "business class" is not full you can bump up??

 

[Halle]

We flew Air Tran in March from Rochester NY to Atlanta GA. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 7:05 AM we left 5:45PM after numerous people giving us false info. Arrived in Atlanta at 9:00PM, missing 2 out of 3 pieces of luggage(my DH and mine missing), our 2 sons gave up at 2:00PM and said they didn't want to miss college classes for 36 hours in Atlanta..can't blame them. We had their clothes, not ours! My husband was there on business and had to attend meetings in casual clothing! Next morning (after he went to meeting) I happened to see our luggage sitting just inside the hotel(5 star) front door, we had never been called nor had the front desk been alerted that it was there. One piece was destroyed and we still haven't heard from Air Tran ( I have madeafter numerous phone calls). Was this an isolated incident...probably..would I fly with them again??? NEVER!! Please be careful and if you have a flight delay, get a flight on another carrier!!

 

[travelitis]

We just flew Air Tran rt Minneapolis - Miami (conx ATL of course) and have 3 flights scheduled with them from Houston. Their fares at their site are sometimes lower than orbitz reflects. I found web special for $100 pp o.w. Houston - Chicago which was just what I needed. There were days around July 4 as low as $84 for that segment.

The seating is tight, but it's not like you get much more room on Delta or any other big carrier. Make sure you don't get one of the 3 back rows whose windows feature engine view. Their service was friendly, and we particularly liked that since we got to the airport earlier than planned, they put us on earlier flights without imposing a change fee. I think the "Big Boys" need the fare competition.

 

[mm42]

Air Tran has two types of aircraft: DC-9 and 717. The 717's are all very new (2 years or less) and the DC-9's are very old (like 30 years+), so it makes a big difference what type of aircraft you are on.

I have flown many times on Air Tran, mostly Atlanta-Orlando and Atlanta-Tampa. Usually things go smoothly. When they don't, the delays can be very long because they may not have a replacement aircraft handy. Also the gate staff usually have no clue how long a delay might last.

The $25 upgrade to business class is normally only available for full price tickets (which are still much cheaper than major airline full fares), though they sometimes have promotions where you can upgrade any fare.

As others have stated, seat assignments are made when you check in, so it pays to be early.

 

[Coll0610]

We've flown AirTran several times from Bloomington IL to Orlando and we've been satisfied with it each time. Once, our flight from Orlando to Atlanta was late but they held our connecting flight to Bloomington until we got there. They've run several sales in the last few weeks and the prices were great.

When AirTran first started flying out of Bloomington, they had a direct flight to Orlando that left at 7am. The return flight left Orlando at 7pm. It was so perfect for vacations, but a few years ago they changed so we had to fly through Atlanta. The first time we flew them we got the numbers for boarding. They switched to assigning seats when you check in about 3 or 4 years ago.

We'll be flying them again when we go back in October!