Airtran booked with SW, recent experience with seats?

[aubriee]

Thought I'd update. I just checked in for tomorrow's flight and the SW agent did apparently take care of us. We got seats A&C in rows 11&12.

Just reading through this thread, it appears those booking AirTran through Southwest are all getting seats in Zone 8, which as already posted, is the last boarding zone. As someone who almost never checks bags and does carry-on only, I wouldn't be happy about that.

I agree. Air Tan doesn't fly out of DFW anymore, but back when they did, I flew them alot, using carry on only. I always paid for those $15.00-$25.00 seats up close to the front that guaranteed boarding zone 1, (usually through row 13) just so I knew I had a space over my seat for my carryon and so I could guarantee the aisle seat that I like. Also I hate flying, have claustrophobia, and refuse to fly in the back of the plane, where I'd have to look up that long narrow aisle. If any of those seats up front were still available at the 24 hour mark, people could pick them for free, but they'd get Boarding zone 7 (I don't think there was a boarding zone 8 at that time). It never failed that every single time I was solo, somebody in that last boarding zone would be sitting next to me and would ask me to switch seats with someone in their party. Yeah, like I was going to trade the $15.00-$25.00 aisle seat in the front of the plane that I paid for, in exchange for their middle seat in the back of the plane. I don't think so.

 

[stitchlovestink]

So this is basically the first chance I have had to post our experience flying AT booked thru SW. Our flight was BWI to MCO on 10/9 and the flight was sold out.
I checked in right at the 24hr mark and we were assigned seats somewhere around row 22 (an isle seat and a middle seat). We got to the airport way ahead of time as neither of these seats were going to 'work' for me as I need a seat next to the window with my right right leg next to the window to 'protect it'. We were fine with splitting up if that is what we had to do, but I clearly needed to be reseated due to my disability. Well, I checked in at the desk like I was told to do by both SW & AT WAY Ahead of Time...but apparently the gate agents didn't want to deal with 'shuffling people around' and gave me stories about how they can't make people move....YET both AT & SW agts told me the SAME EXACT INFO over the phone (about rows 10 & 11 were for disabled passengers and people could be bumped from those seats because they are not assigned until the end.) Anyway, I wasn't rude and spoke very nicely but I did inform them that they were obligated to assist me under the ACAA (I am legally declared disabled! Not self declared! And had proof with me.) So I asked them how could they assist me in helping me to protect my leg. She said, 'How about if we put the two of you in business class? We have two seats left there.' Needless to say we found that most acceptable! LOL!!!! I said Thank You several times for being so kind to work with! Talking Politely but letting them know my needs worked out Great for us!!

 

[pooh4evr]

Both of our flights were great no problems. We were all together on the flight down- zone 8 boarders- PLENTY of overhead room- especially since one side seats 2 people- flight back we were all separated, talked to the lady at the gate and she moved things around so I could be by our 6 yr old. No problems what so ever.

 

[pemberly]

Had been reading this thread with interest prior to our trip so thought I would I would post our results.

Checked in at the 24 hour mark (actually was about 3 minutes late checking in.) We had 5 in our party all under the reservation number and they gave us all the same row on our flight - yay! Seat map was updated immediately on the air tran site after we checked in with our row being shown as "taken".

Interesting item to note - they assigned our seats in the row alphabetically as per name on the reservation. So even though my name is first on the reservation, my DD whose name begins with "B" got the first seat (24A) and this followed alphabetically down the row.

So, there was good luck for us. Hopefully for others too!

 

[supersuperwendy]

Just returned yesterday and had a good experience. I forgot to check in at 24 so when I did our seat assigments were scattered all over the plane. Two were together so at least I could sit with my 3 year old. Then while sitting at the gate I was called up to the desk...she said she noticed how scattered we were and put us together 3 & 3..rows 26 & 30

 

[airplanegod]

Just wanted to say I am travelling alone, so this might change if you have more than one person. I am flying tomorrow on an Airtran flight booked through Southwest using points and I got seat 18F with Zone 6 boarding.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I checked in right at the 24 hr mark for our flights tomorrow night. We had 4 different confirmation numbers, so I was nervous we would be scattered all over the place. It's not too bad though. Our first flight, DH is in row 12 and the kids and I are in 16A,D,F. This means there is someone in between each of us, but at least the kids aren't completely alone. (And maybe whoever is between DD and I would rather have the window or aisle instead of the middle.)
On the 2nd leg, DH is in row 11 and the kids and I are 15C,D,E ( 2 next to each other and 1 across the aisle)

The odd thing is that we are in 3 different boarding zones, so not sure how that will go.

All in all, things seem to have turned out ok. I was just worried about DD being completely alone, so am thrilled with our seats.

Now to get some sleep. (Yeah, right! I'm headed to Disney tomorrow and I expect to sleep???)

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

?........

The odd thing is that we are in 3 different boarding zones, so not sure how that will go.

......

You can still board together. Just board with the person with the last boarding zone.