Airtran Flight Transfer Question...

[speedyf]

I am new to Airtran as we have always flown Southwest in the past. I was not able to get a good rate for a flight going from New Orleans to Orlando on Southwest...so, I checked out Airtran.

I was able to book for $59 one-way from New Orleans to Tampa...so, I jumped on it.

We are now flying out at 6am on Saturday, May 26th with a connection in Atlanta and arriving in Tampa at around 10:30am. At the same time, there is a flight leaving New Orleans at 6am (same flight) connecting thru Atlanta and heading to Orlando. The problem is that the fare is $94 instead of $59.

My question is this....has anyone been able to possibly change a flight from Tampa to Orlando when arriving at the airport?

To explain further....I was hoping to get to the airport at 4am to check-in for my 6am flight and ask if it was possible to be put on the Orlando flight instead of the Tampa flight if there was room. Has anyone done this successfully?

Just curious.

Thanks,
Speed

 

[cbrfan]

I've gotten an earlier flight standby from an originating airport. When I did, they confirmed me on an earlier connection in Atlanta at that time. So I assume you could do it. I think just to be sure I'd call AirTran and ask. Then you'd know whether it's worth it to get to the airport early.

 

[drew64]

Stand by is allowed for earlier flights to the same city follwoing the same routing. Switching from Tampa to Orlando is actually booking an entirely new flight and you would be required to pay the difference in the fare available to Orlando on the day you depart.

 

[dis-happy]

Hmmmm, I've done it when the final city was the same (instead of flying San Diego-Philly-Charlotte was able to change to San Diego-Charlotte nonstop at the gate, no charge, USAir). I've also had AirTran let me take an earlier flight home while at a connecting airport, no charge, last May. But it may be diffficult to talk them into switching you from Tampa to Orlando. Personally, I'd pay to upgrade the ticket and save the extra travel time. The Orlando ticket is probably higher because it's a more popular destination and the flight is more heavily booked...just a guess, anyway. Either way, good luck!

 

[speedyf]

I figured it was improbable....but, I just wanted to see if anyone had successfully done this in the past.

I've rented a National car one way from Tampa dropping off the car at the Dolphin for $42 for the one day. We are saving about $140+ by flying into Tampa....so, I don't mind the 1 hr drive to net around $100 in savings.

We are flying Southwest out of Orlando for the return trip at $59 per ticket....so, we should be able to take advantage of Magical Express.

Speed

 

[cbrfan]

Stand by is allowed for earlier flights to the same city follwoing the same routing. Switching from Tampa to Orlando is actually booking an entirely new flight and you would be required to pay the difference in the fare available to Orlando on the day you depart.

Sorry, the part about switching arrival airports went right over my head when I replied. Never mind.