AirTran booked w/SW seat experiences

[Disneylvr]

When airlines merge, only one airline continues and that airline is going to be Southwest, which bought AirTran. The integration should be complete by the end of 2014.

What I was trying to explain to the poster i quoted in my reply is that Southwest is phasing out AirTran's policies; assigned seating etc....but allowing customers on the SWA web site to book AirTran flights during this transition period but NOT allowing them purchased assigned seating is confusing and unfair, in my opinion. I am well aware that Southwest is the airline that is going to continue, much to my disappointment. We love AirTran!

 

[LBIJim]

Just the other night my wife tried to book an Airtran trip on SW's site, mainly to avoid baggage fees and any change fees if necessary. When she put in her itinerary (Philadelphia to Memphis via Atlanta; the reverse coming back), SW automatically rerouted her to AirTran's web site. So she booked there.

Today we noticed that her itinerary is available on SW's site, as well as AT's. SW has the flights for $60 higher than AT, which remain the same as when she booked. Hmmm, wonder if that's SW's way of getting AT's baggage fees but still claiming they're "free."

Jim

Maybe I should try a few fake bookings and see if this happens elsewhere.

 

[taymorel]

Because to some families, like mine, pre-assigned seats are important. Until the merger is completed, we will happily book through the AirTran site, the extra fees are worth it to us.

I feel the same. We chose to book our flight through the AT site and got to pick our seats.

 

[Kathy C]

Because to some families, like mine, pre-assigned seats are important. Until the merger is completed, we will happily book through the AirTran site, the extra fees are worth it to us.

For us too - not to mention that SWA out of Houston has gotten so expensive to fly any place! We are flying Air Tran there and SWA home.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I completely understand the pre-assigned seats. The way they are handling this merger seems like they are trying to phase out airtran. I know the airtran employees feel this way too! Its like they are enticing people to book on the SWA site with the free baggage and no change fees. They are obviously still taking advantage of the extra fees airtran charged by not merging that perk with SWA.

They are phasing out AirTran. doesn't mean they're getting rid of the employees. I know (based on, granted, conversations with only one person) the AirTran pilots are happy about the takeover.

 

[mousey]

I'm sure the merger won't affect the pilots and flight attendants, however, I'm sure its going to wreck havoc on the reservationists. They encourage you to book online, so they won't need all those people handling the phone calls,etc...

 

[Madzac]

And now I have had the reverse happen... I booked months ago on AT and was on all AT flights because to us, with four children, sitting together is very important. I paid to select seats. I got an email today that our flight down was changed to a SWA flight. Now we no longer have assigned seating and are being told the only option is to check in right at 24 hrs but still, we get what we get. Very frustrating when I didnt book SW to avoid this situation! I am hoping we will still be ok and can get at least one parent with a couple kids!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Did you try cling Southwest to see if they can offer a resolution? Maybe apply your seat selection fee toward EBCI? Or if they'll refund your (now-pointless) fees? Even if they say no/can't, you can spend some of what you'll save on checked luggage, on EBCI instead.

 

[Disneylover99]

And now I have had the reverse happen... I booked months ago on AT and was on all AT flights because to us, with four children, sitting together is very important. I paid to select seats. I got an email today that our flight down was changed to a SWA flight. Now we no longer have assigned seating and are being told the only option is to check in right at 24 hrs but still, we get what we get. Very frustrating when I didnt book SW to avoid this situation! I am hoping we will still be ok and can get at least one parent with a couple kids!

That is terrible! I hope that AirTran is at least going to reimburse you the money you paid for seats. If you got this email today, then I should be expecting one as well. The only reason we booked through AirTran is to guarantee seating. We have an August trip and an October trip booked through AirTran.

 

[nhmommy]

I have a thread started on this topic also. I will probably just book airtran because I have a 2 and 5 y.o. and don't want to leave our seating to chance.

SWA will pre-board you with the baby so you can sit together regardless. You may end up in the back of the plane but you will sit together, you can call SWA and confirm that all 4 of you be able to pre-board but I'm sure they don't want a 5yo sitting alone any more then you do.

 

[jennbunn]

I just booked airtran today through swa for our upcoming trip. the flights here out of msp are crazy high and this was my best option. Will see how it goes come May.

 

[kaytieeldr]

SWA will pre-board you with the baby so you can sit together regardless. You may end up in the back of the plane but you will sit together, you can call SWA and confirm that all 4 of you be able to pre-board but I'm sure they don't want a 5yo sitting alone any more then you do.

Southwest doesn't allow passengers with two year olds to preboard. They do usually offer family boarding between the A and B boarding assignment groups. Given that their Unaccompanied Minors category encompasses ages five through 11, SWA is probably okay with a five year old sitting apart from parents on the same plane.

 

[nhmommy]

Southwest doesn't allow passengers with two year olds to preboard. They do usually offer family boarding between the A and B boarding assignment groups. Given that their Unaccompanied Minors category encompasses ages five through 11, SWA is probably okay with a five year old sitting apart from parents on the same plane.

Sorry family boarding was what I was referring to.It does appear that family boarding is for families with children under 5 though so maybe it will be a problem but maybe not with the 2 yo you could call or do the EBCI for 2 of you and family board with the 2yo for the other.

 

[dj2]

i just adjusted a standard award booked on southwest with one stop to a non-stop flight operated by airtran. our flights are on different conf. numbers so there's no way we'll be seated together.

i'm so excited.. i switched yet again and we're back on a southwest flight, so no more seating issues for us!