Airtran Experience?

[Zdog]

I'm finding I can save a few hundred bucks by traveling Airtran out of Rochester, rather than JetBlue out of Syracuse. But (isn't there always a but?) I'm wondering what I'm giving up. I love JetBlue's level of service, and the seat back TV. I also love saving a couple hundred dollars. Here's my question:

Is Airtran reliable in terms of sticking with their schedule?
Extra fee's: I know I'll pay for luggage. Is it a one time fee, or pay for trip down, and trip back (which does make sense)
Internet service in flight: I'm reading about a $5 dollar charge..hmmm...again, not a make or break, but this would seem to be an indication of nickel and dime kinda stuff.
Do WDW resorts offer bag checking service w/Airtran (can I check our bags at WL, so I don't have to lug em around the airport...the bags that is, not the kids
I value the opinions of people on the Dis-is saving a couple hundred extra worth the hour trip to Rochester (and back once we return?)

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes the luggage fee is paid once going down and once coming home.
No TV service
Yes you can check in at the resort.
They have been known to change flight times but then again so does every airline.
Soda and pretzels are free.

We have flown them many of times to save money and would do it again. We drive 1 hr 20 min to the Akron airport just to fly with them even though we live 25 min. from the Cleveland Hopkins. Just flew last week for $108 rt verses Cleveland which was close to $300 per person.

 

[Inkmahm]

Is Airtran reliable in terms of sticking with their schedule?
Extra fee's: I know I'll pay for luggage. Is it a one time fee, or pay for trip down, and trip back (which does make sense)
Internet service in flight: I'm reading about a $5 dollar charge..hmmm...again, not a make or break, but this would seem to be an indication of nickel and dime kinda stuff.
Do WDW resorts offer bag checking service w/Airtran (can I check our bags at WL, so I don't have to lug em around the airport...the bags that is, not the kids
I value the opinions of people on the Dis-is saving a couple hundred extra worth the hour trip to Rochester (and back once we return?)

1) AirTran changes their schedule quite often. I depend on that and book the lowest fare. Then I change to the flight I really want when AirTran changes the flights.
2) Luggage is paid for both ways.
3) Internet was $9.95 for me on Airtran. It depends on how long the flight is.
4) Yes, I have not used the service but bags for Airtran can be checked at your resort.

I would book with Airtran. I do, too. Quite often.

 

[Tozzie]

I'm finding I can save a few hundred bucks by traveling Airtran out of Rochester, rather than JetBlue out of Syracuse. But (isn't there always a but?) I'm wondering what I'm giving up. I love JetBlue's level of service, and the seat back TV. I also love saving a couple hundred dollars. Here's my question:

Is Airtran reliable in terms of sticking with their schedule?
Extra fee's: I know I'll pay for luggage. Is it a one time fee, or pay for trip down, and trip back (which does make sense)
Internet service in flight: I'm reading about a $5 dollar charge..hmmm...again, not a make or break, but this would seem to be an indication of nickel and dime kinda stuff.
Do WDW resorts offer bag checking service w/Airtran (can I check our bags at WL, so I don't have to lug em around the airport...the bags that is, not the kids
I value the opinions of people on the Dis-is saving a couple hundred extra worth the hour trip to Rochester (and back once we return?)

The in flight internet service is provided by an outside vendor and there is a charge based on the length of flight

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

I love Jet Blue but wouldn't hesitate to save money and fly Air Tran. In fact, I do it all the time.

The other thing about Air Tran is that although they don't have TV, they do have free satellite radio.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I flew AirTran last week for the first time MCO-BMI-MCO and both flights were on-time and pleasant. Outbound we actually departed early because all passengers had boarded. Bring your own earphones/plugs and the XM Satellite Radio is free....100+ channels. Seat back TV it's not. The only thing you're giving up (I think) is the television. Compare your total costs flying both airlines and then decide if the televisions are worth the fare difference.

BobK/Orlando

 

[npmommie]

we just flew Airtran, and it was fine, we saved quite a bit of money on the flight.
the flight on the way down to FL was not even half full, the flight home was full.
they did not change our schedule in either direction.
we did not do checked luggage, but yes you can do it at the resort, I checked us in with the resort concierge the night before our flight and got our boarding passes printed.

the staff on the flight down were extremely nice and pleasant.
the trip home, they seemed a little grumpy, very cold and brisk.
one flight attendant gave me heck when we boarded the plane, we all 4 had our carry on luggage, and I had a pocketbook, my dh had a backpack, and we had one other small backpack.........so 4 carry ons and 3 personal items for the 4 of us. and our carry on luggage is well below the measurements even allowed. anyway


I was carrying my pocketbook, and the kids backpack, because they manage with their luggage on the plane but I was helping them by carrying their extra personal bag, anyway, the FA stopped me, the kids were already halfway down the plane toward the seats, and the FA said you can't bring 2 personal items on, I said, I am not, it belongs to the kids they are up ahead going to their seats, i am helping them
she told me next time do NOT help them, they have to carry their own!!!
I had to bite my tongue, but I just did not respond and kept moving before I got into trouble.
she was very rude about it.

 

[danielle.st]

I ahve never flown JetBlue, so can not compare.
We flew on Airtran, out of ROC to Orlando, in December '08.
We booked it when the flights first came out and I stressed like crazy over schedule changes. They were always great about letting me chosse a flight I preferred if they had put me on one I didn't like. In the end, after like 7 months of changes, some by minutes and some by hours, we ended up with flights that were within a hour each way of our original flights, lol. The ROC airport is small and it was quick and painless to go through security. The flight left a few minutes ahead of schedule and arrived at MCO ahead of time (we were on an early morning, nonstop going). I recall the return flight being similar from MCO to ROC. There was free satellite radio to listen to, they provided ear buds. They gave us beverages and crackers. Everyone was friendly and we got to Orlando much cheaper than we would have with other airlines. Oh, and we did pay the $6 a person to select our seats. It was still much cheaper than anyone else would have been.
We are going again in April and have again booked with Airtran. Originally, we booked a flight with one stop because it was much cheaper than the only offered nonstop. As soon as the times changed, about a week later, we were able to switch to the nonstop with no additional charges. We are also on a nonstop coming home (a flight we originally booked, it was as cheap as the ones with stops). We have had a few minor changes. The most drastic being the flight to MCO expecting to depart about 45 minutes earlier than originally scheduled. That was a happy change and not hugely drastic.

eta: we did check on the bags at our hotel (Pop) and paperwork was slipped under our door the evening before we came home.

 

[Zdog]

Appreciate all the feedback folks! BTW, if you've yet to book, a tip I learned from fellow disers (two actually) is to check the little debbie website. They have a promotion with Airtran that'll get you a 10 dollar off coupon per booking, so depending on how you do it, you can save some cash. Also, if you book through www.kayak.com, you can forgo the charge to choose your seat. Kayak links you to Airtran, but for whatever reason, you are NOT charged a fee to pick your seat, unlike booking directly at Airtran.com. I think I'm gonna go this route (airtran over jetblue) to save a few hundred. Kids have entertainment to bring w/them, and my wife and I don't mind reading on the flight anyway!!

 

[Halle]

Definitely pay for the seat assignment, saw too many people unable to get on because the flight was overbooked and they hadn't paid for a seat assignment. I too fly out of ROC. They are also quick to cancel flights, blaming the weather and even stating that ROC airport was closed!! Airport had never closed that day. We always pay the extra money and fly Jet Blue.

 

[ancestry]

I really like Air Tran and have been pleased with them EXCEPT for their high rate of changing, cancelling, and rearranging flights. I understand that all airlines make changes but from what I have observed Air Tran is way worse than average in regards to flight time changes.

 

[huskies90]

Also, if you book through www.kayak.com, you can forgo the charge to choose your seat. Kayak links you to Airtran, but for whatever reason, you are NOT charged a fee to pick your seat, unlike booking directly at Airtran.com.

This maybe going away or gone as some folks have reported recently. I am curious if this true or just a temporary system glitch.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2390484

 

[KELLY]

We have flown airtran the last 4 times. The do change there schedules. But I just booked today for September and you can't beat the price of 805.00 for 4 on a non-stop flights. In my experience the non-stops tend to stay non-stop but they may change the times.

We once missed our connecting flight because we had to de-ice we live in Maine. But I would rather be safe. But sitting in the airport for 4 hours with 2 kids uner 3 not fun. But I didn't let that ruin our trip.

 

[Disneylvr]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but we are flying AirTran for he first time next month out of STL. I have one question....can you raise the armrests?

 

[kamanda]

Based on my experience, you can raise the ones in the middle seat. The aisle and window armrests are fixed.

 

[Disneylvr]

Based on my experience, you can raise the ones in the middle seat. The aisle and window armrests are fixed.

Thanks, those are the ones I meant. Dh, DD and I will be sharing the row and we like to raise the rests.

 

[tam626]

We have flown Airtran twice & really like it. We fly out of BWI & our flights never changed by more than a few minutes. If it's tv people are missing, I say take a portable dvd player. We take one for our 4 yr old.

 

[discott71]

We've only been to Disney twice and both times flew Airtran out of Rochester. We couldn't find a cheaper airline which drove our decision - family of 5. The direct flights are great! The staff going down has been great, but so-so coming home (both times). We don't care about t.v., but I will say they're not very clean. There's always stuff all over the floor and the trays are YUCK! I make sure to bring Clorox wipes and wipe it down before my kids touch any of that stuff.

Another big plus was on our last trip we actually checked in our baggage in at our resort - nice to not have to wait in line.

We've always paid extra to choose our seats as well - definitely worth not having to worry about where the kids will be put with out us.

Our return flight did change a couple times last trip, but they were very accomodating on letting us choose which flight would work best for us.

We have another trip down this November and I am also looking at Jet Blue - they have direct flights now too and prices are comparable to Airtran -looking at $89 one way. I would have no hesitation flying Airtran again though.

We did check in 2 pieces of luggage last trip and each had a carryon. You are charged each way for checking in luggage which is another reason why I'm looking at Jet Blue this time.