Airtran and non stop flights

[pjstevens]

We are using Airtran for our flights next month, got non stop for $49 each way. A great deal for our family. For our trip in December, I was able to get a non stop for $49, but we like to return later in the day (this will be a trip to visit DD who is part of the WDW CP and won't be home for Christmas), don't want to take the 7am non stop flight home. Only options for cheap flights right now (oh, btw, we are flying to Philly), are non stops through Atlanta. Most of the layovers for later in the day are short, getting us home around 10pm.

My question is how is Airtran with connecting flights? How about missed flights if your first leg is delayed? I have NOT booked our return flight yet as I keep hoping that there will be another deal for cheap non stop. There are five of us flying so money is important, PLUS we do NOT take vacations twice a year, but we have to see our daughter, as she won't be home until after the holidays are done and everything is put away

 

[Traveliz]

I always take the last flight back with a layover in Atlanta and have found they typically wait for any straggling flights - although I personally have found them to be running on time.

I do know a few times they said they were waiting for a flight from wherever and then we would leave.

My daughter is doing the CP this fall too - and I am doing some running back and forth to FL as well l

Liz

 

[pjstevens]

I always take the last flight back with a layover in Atlanta and have found they typically wait for any straggling flights - although I personally have found them to be running on time.

I do know a few times they said they were waiting for a flight from wherever and then we would leave.

My daughter is doing the CP this fall too - and I am doing some running back and forth to FL as well l

Liz

Thanks so much for the info Liz, this is exactly what I needed to hear. I think I am going to book the flight out of mco for 5 something, stopping in atlanta for an hour (this way if fist flight is a little late, we still have time to get to the next flight) and home to philly around 10. a lot longer than our 2 hour 20 minute flight, but for more than $200 less it will have to work.

I am so excited about getting to go to disney in December and if it work for the CP, it wouldn't be happening. What is your daughter working in at disney and when is she arriving. My daughter will be in quick foods and is arriving the last day (September 5th).

 

[Traveliz]

Thanks so much for the info Liz, this is exactly what I needed to hear. I think I am going to book the flight out of mco for 5 something, stopping in atlanta for an hour (this way if fist flight is a little late, we still have time to get to the next flight) and home to philly around 10. a lot longer than our 2 hour 20 minute flight, but for more than $200 less it will have to work.

I am so excited about getting to go to disney in December and if it work for the CP, it wouldn't be happening. What is your daughter working in at disney and when is she arriving. My daughter will be in quick foods and is arriving the last day (September 5th).

I book connecting flights all the time too because I get to spend more time in FL -- the nonstop are great for in the air but you lose alot of the day since the times are usually mid day.

My daughter starts August 15 and is in operations. She is very excited about it and so am I! I am taking her down and then actually spending a couple of weeks in my inlawas condo in St Pete - then my husband is flying down for a Disney visit and we are driving back so I am getting alot of Disney time this fall!

My friend and I are going for a LONG weekend in November because I have gone with her to visit her son who is in school in Michigan so she kept saying when Chloe did this we would do a Disney trip.

And finally my brothers and all their kids and my husband and I are going after Christmas for a big family trip and to bring Chloe home.

I feel like I am running through the money tree to fund this all but its going to be so much fun.

In the meantime I start taking of a family friend's baby when I get back from my first trip!!! So we are trying to get the house ready for the baby now.

Oh well it will all happen and it should be a great Fall!

Liz

 

[JanB]

I think I am going to book the flight out of mco for 5 something, stopping in atlanta for an hour (this way if fist flight is a little late, we still have time to get to the next flight) and home to philly around 10. a lot longer than our 2 hour 20 minute flight, but for more than $200 less it will have to work.

This is a smart way to schedule your flight. A one-hour layover should be a comfortable length of time, even if your MCO-ATL flight ends up being late for some reason. And even if it is on time, you'll find that the one-hour layover passes pretty quickly. Anything less than an hour, and you'll be on shaky ground if your first leg is late. And having the additional flight later in the evening is a good backup.

Also, the Atlanta airport has quite a few places where you can pick up something to eat while you're waiting.

 

[Up2late4clay]

My sister and I aren't taking the non-stop flight back home. I don't like the thought of leaving so late, then having to drive home from the airport in the dark, tired, after a long day and since I'm going to be the one driving... I'd like a non-stop flight cuz it's quicker, but I'd much prefer being refreshed and awake on the way home.

I can't understand why AirTran (and Delta) have one non-stop flight and it's at night. So we're leaving first thing in the morning. I booked the airfare on special about 5 months ago and have received 3 emails so far where they have changed the flight schedule. (The flight out of Orlando leaves earlier and the layover in Atlanta keeps getting longer, but thankfully only by a few minutes per email.)

I've always flown Delta to WDW, this will be a first for AirTran. I've actually never heard of them before so I'm a little nervous about not being able to prechoose seats.

 

[Traveliz]

My sister and I aren't taking the non-stop flight back home. I don't like the thought of leaving so late, then having to drive home from the airport in the dark, tired, after a long day and since I'm going to be the one driving... I'd like a non-stop flight cuz it's quicker, but I'd much prefer being refreshed and awake on the way home.

I can't understand why AirTran (and Delta) have one non-stop flight and it's at night. So we're leaving first thing in the morning. I booked the airfare on special about 5 months ago and have received 3 emails so far where they have changed the flight schedule. (The flight out of Orlando leaves earlier and the layover in Atlanta keeps getting longer, but thankfully only by a few minutes per email.)

I've always flown Delta to WDW, this will be a first for AirTran. I've actually never heard of them before so I'm a little nervous about not being able to prechoose seats.

You can pay 5.00 to choose your seats now.

Liz

 

[pjstevens]

Oh well it will all happen and it should be a great Fall!
Liz

Liz,

sounds like you have a lot going on. hope you have a great trip down next month. thanks for the info on airtran, i am going to book now especially since is't only $5 per person, not per flight on the connecting flights.

thanks again

 

[Traveliz]

Liz,

sounds like you have a lot going on. hope you have a great trip down next month. thanks for the info on airtran, i am going to book now especially since is't only $5 per person, not per flight on the connecting flights.

thanks again

Yep I was pleasantly surprised that I was charged only the 5 each way - I think they consider it per itinerary down and back!

Good luck!
Liz

 

[Callalily6]

I was just through Atlanta last month with a connection on AirTran. The flight was held, took off about 30 mins late, and arrived about 10 mins behind schedule. Not bad. But not the AirTran I used to fly. They made some major changes over the past year. They used to board so fast - like 10 mins and we'd take off. Didnt matter if it was from LAX, DFW, or LGA in NY. They totally rocked. Im not so impressed anymore. Oversold flights, and late departures was what I saw last month...

 

[Tess'smom]

Did you look at SpiritAir? They fly from MCO to Atlantic City direct. We got three RT direct flights for $297.00 It is a little further from PHL but not too bad. Good Luck.

 

[Up2late4clay]

Liz,

I saw some other posts about choosing seats on AirTran, so I went to their site and didn't see anything. Is it on their site, or do you have to call them to pick your seat?

 

[Callalily6]

Liz,

I saw some other posts about choosing seats on AirTran, so I went to their site and didn't see anything. Is it on their site, or do you have to call them to pick your seat?

It's on their site. That was one of the changes they made recently that I wasn't thrilled about. You can pre-select seats for a $5 or $15 charge per seat prior to your trip. Within the 24 hour window B4 your departure, the fee is waived. Sign into your account and click SELECT SEATS and it shows up there with fees listed.

 

[pjstevens]

Did you look at SpiritAir? They fly from MCO to Atlantic City direct. We got three RT direct flights for $297.00 It is a little further from PHL but not too bad. Good Luck.

We are less than 15 miles from the philly airport (actually made it there in 13 minutes one year due to unforseen circumstances ) We flew out of BWI once due to such a good rate, but this was a LARGE group of gymnasts going to a competition. Atlantic City is probably two hours from us (without traffic problems that seem to have 295 or the parkway always backed up). Thanks for the suggestion, it's not one I ever thought of, but someday, I may have to do that.