Airtran discontinuing service at ABE August 12th UPDATE: Frontier coming 5/26!!

[bookwormde]

I hope they are going to add flights at BWI, PHL and Newark, since the flights are allways packed already, although I do know when they are going to be able to get slots at any of these airports unless they are going to start doing red eye flights (I for one would love to have flights that left in the middle of the night and arrived MCO before dawn)

bookwormde

 

[DonnaL]

Just wanted to let everyone know I did receive a response late this afternoon re my email to SWA about pulling out of ABE. Very nice email explaining the SWA/AT position in "the current economic climate with rising fuel prices" and "difficult decisions regarding the stoppage of service to airports currently being served by AT". I encourage everyone who flies on AT from ABE to make the effort and send an email to SWA customer service voicing your opinion and disappointment......nothing nasty needed......simply stating your thoughts. Also, get your family and friends who have flown from ABE (some of whom may not be Dis'ers) to do the same.....the more public sentiment the better....

 

[Dizney73]

Sad about this too. At least our summer vacation is June/july this year. Can't stand the thought of going back to ewr or phl

 

[bobrex]

I've got a feeling that the ABE - MCO flights were probably AT's only profitable flights. Profitable enough to create a second daily flight. Every time we've taken the filght (2 or 3 times a year) it was booked full, so I can't imagine them not making a profit. I also doubt that SW will be willing to maintain a presence for one destination, so it's probably the other destinations that have ruined it for us.

There have been other non-stops to MCO over the years. USAIR used to fly non-stop, but they dropped that back in the 20th century. Those flights used to always be full too!

We tried Allegiant once (during that short period when they flew to MCO), the MCO gate crew was horrible, they nickel and dimed us, and they no longer fly into MCO. Perhaps with AT gone, someone could convince Allegiant's management to reconsider flying into MCO.

United through DWI is terrible. That tiny SAAB is claustrophobic and noisy; I pity anyone with a window seat on that plane. That leaves Delta through Atlanta or US through Charlotte (I REFUSE to fly North or West to end up South!)

What was really convenient with the AT flight was the time. I could work most of the day and then fly out over dinner time, arriving at MCO by 8:00. What more could you ask for?

 

[mkoerner]

That stinks! We were gonna fly out on August 15th. They were the most affordable and certainly a lot closer than Newark or Philly, with cheaper parking, too. Bummer.

 

[wdwmaw]

Just read this info today that Airtran service out of LEX will stop August 12. This is such bad news and guess we will again have to drive 12 hours. Cheap airfare, close to home was good while it lasted.

 

[nascargirl]

We also live 15min from ABE and are very disappointed that AT is leaving. We do fly Allegiant but the times are not very flexible. We don't mind flying into Sanford as we always rent a car. The head of ABE says the airport is courting other carriers for another non-stop flight and service should not be interruped. I also remember when Hooters flew out of ABE.

 

[kar0066]

I also live just a couple hundred feet from the runway. We have flown from ABE to Disney 5 times and last year was the first year we used Airtran. It was the first time we were able to fly direct to MCO and it was absolutely wonderful. I would hate to go back to dealing with a layover and extending our travel time by another three hours. I am really hoping ABE can find another carrier to fill the void.

Yes, I know we could fly direct out of Philly or Newark, but it is great to get off the plane and know you will be home in just a few minutes.

We have a trip booked for this December. Now I am torn between booking early to get the best price, or waiting to see if ABE can fine another airline to fly direct.

 

[TaraPA]

Hey I think we need to have an ABE DIS Meet with all these people so close by!!

I've already emailed SW, AT and LVIA. I've gotten the standard replies from all, but at least I let them know how I felt! I was very nice, but did let them all know that they would be losing any future business from me & the group of people I travel with, since I now need to look elsewhere (other airlines, other airports) to fulfill my needs.

Get the emails going!

 

[It'sWDW4me]

We also live 15min from ABE and are very disappointed that AT is leaving. We do fly Allegiant but the times are not very flexible. We don't mind flying into Sanford as we always rent a car. The head of ABE says the airport is courting other carriers for another non-stop flight and service should not be interruped. I also remember when Hooters flew out of ABE.

I certainly hope this is true.

Hmmmm, I wonder if Allegiant could be persuaded to fly to MCO again? I believe that they moved from Sanford to MCO not long after AirTran came to LVIA (and wasn't Sanford airport undergoing an extensive refurb or expansion or something?) but their prices went up a bit. This makes me wonder if the MCO fees were just too much for Allegiant and they just couldn't compete with AT's prices. Maybe, with AT out of LVIA and a lot of other smaller airports, Allegiant wouldn't be priced out if they went to MCO?

And I have to say... it's nice to be able to leave my car in my driveway and get a cab from home to the airport & back again. Less than10 minutes/$10 each way for transportation!

 

[AStamm]

Just heard the news today and am NOT happy! We fly down to MCO about four times a year and choose either HIA or LVIA depending on which is cheapest or has the most convenient times. Seeing BOTH non-stop flights disappear will certainly impact the number of times we head to see the mouse.

I posted my displeasure in the decision on the Facebook page of both companies and will be sending an e-mail to both shortly. Let's bombard their inboxes with complaints about this lousy decision!

 

[TaraPA]

Hmmmm, I wonder if Allegiant could be persuaded to fly to MCO again? I believe that they moved from Sanford to MCO not long after AirTran came to LVIA (and wasn't Sanford airport undergoing an extensive refurb or expansion or something?) but their prices went up a bit. This makes me wonder if the MCO fees were just too much for Allegiant and they just couldn't compete with AT's prices. Maybe, with AT out of LVIA and a lot of other smaller airports, Allegiant wouldn't be priced out if they went to MCO?

I forget the reason why, but Allegiant going back to MCO was non-negotiable. I'm sure someone on the Transporation Board will come along soon & remind us why they no longer fly to MCO. It was discussed for awhile on here when Allegiant announced they were going back to Sanford, but I just can't remember the reason!

 

[TaraPA]

Just heard the news today and am NOT happy! We fly down to MCO about four times a year and choose either HIA or LVIA depending on which is cheapest or has the most convenient times. Seeing BOTH non-stop flights disappear will certainly impact the number of times we head to see the mouse.

I posted my displeasure in the decision on the Facebook page of both companies and will be sending an e-mail to both shortly. Let's bombard their inboxes with complaints about this lousy decision!

I just "liked" your comment on FB & added my own 2 cents!

 

[pamjb]

Awww Tarapa, you could always hitch a ride with me to PHL. I pay less less to park at on offsite airport lot than I would at ABE.
Wouldn't it be worth the 75 minute drive to be in WDW at 2.5 hrs??

I haven't flown from ABE in many, many years. The Airtran schedule never meshed with mine, and sometimes the fares were higher than I could get with SW out of PHL.

When I heard of the merger, i was hopeful that SW would come to ABE, but I doubted it because of the proximity to PHL.

 

[nascargirl]

TaraPA -That would be something to have a DIS meet. We could use the new CAFE ABE is sporting! LOL! I believe Allegiant went back to Sanford because of it they had cheaper gates fees. It would be nice if they could add have 2 flights going down there. We are heading back to Disney in April and Allegiant leaves to early from Sanford. Who wants to leave Disney at 6am. Hopefully the LVIA officials won't keep us hanging too long and make an announcement soon.

 

[TaraPA]

Awww Tarapa, you could always hitch a ride with me to PHL. I pay less less to park at on offsite airport lot than I would at ABE.
Wouldn't it be worth the 75 minute drive to be in WDW at 2.5 hrs??

I haven't flown from ABE in many, many years. The Airtran schedule never meshed with mine, and sometimes the fares were higher than I could get with SW out of PHL.

When I heard of the merger, i was hopeful that SW would come to ABE, but I doubted it because of the proximity to PHL.

Pam I gotta say it - I'm calling ******!!!!! They can transport me to PHL!!!!

I HATE driving to Philly, and especially on the way home, I don't want the hour plus drive, knowing from ABE it would only be 15 min.

Ok next girls trip YOU'RE coming along & being the driver to PHL!! We're tossing around October...pencil it in!

 

[pamjb]

Since I work for "that which must not be named" I could give you a discount.

I already am potentially going in Oct......11th-15th.....Shhhh, it's a secret.

 

[TaraPA]

Pam I think that's about when we're going. You'll have to keep me posted on your secret trip!

There certainly are a lot of Lehigh Valley DIS-ers. There used to be a PA thread over on the Community Board (Pam - that's where we met!) - that's where I met the 4 ladies I take girls trips with twice a year. We've become such good friends over the years, and it all started on The DIS!

Maybe there will be a new group - ex-ABE DIS-ers!

 

[kar0066]

I also hate to drive to Philly. Does anyone know of a reasonable airport transport service to Philly or Newark?

 

[NLD]

Awww Tarapa, you could always hitch a ride with me to PHL. I pay less less to park at on offsite airport lot than I would at ABE.
Wouldn't it be worth the 75 minute drive to be in WDW at 2.5 hrs??

I haven't flown from ABE in many, many years. The Airtran schedule never meshed with mine, and sometimes the fares were higher than I could get with SW out of PHL.

When I heard of the merger, i was hopeful that SW would come to ABE, but I doubted it because of the proximity to PHL.

I could have written this exact post, except about MDT (Harrisburg) and BWI.

When AirTran started with direct flights to MCO out of Harrisburg, I was excited. Thought we wouldn't have to drive to BWI.

But the SW fares out of BWI were always better, and the times were always MUCH better. And yup, ironically enough parking fares were also cheaper at BWI.

So three years in a row I have happily driven to BWI and paid low prices and no baggage fees with a variety of flight times to choose from. It's about a 75 mile trip rather than 25 miles to get the airport... but worth it for all the above benefits.

I'd love to think SW might pick up the MDT-MCO route Airtran had, and bring no baggage fees with them, but guess it won't happen. Oh well... the BWI route has been good to me anyway.


Making the BWI drive in four days.