AirTran from DTW?

[SuzyQue]

Anybody fly AirTran from Detroit to Orlando? Any problems with delays, changes to flight times, changing from nonstop to 1 stop etc.? TIA ~~

 

[ColinCodyMom]

We are wondering the same thing. I have heard many things about flight changes with AirTran. We have always flown Spirit to MCO and Northwest a time or two but AirTran seems to have decent prices. We're in Dearborn Heights by the way . I'll be interested in seeing the replies.

 

[SuzyQue]

Same here, we're in Westland and have always flown Spirit or Northwest. Spirits baggage charge is up to $19 a bag one way now, and their fares aren't that great.

 

[ColinCodyMom]

I hear that. We use the $9 fare club and flew in September for $15 each way per person!! When you add on baggage and seat assignment per person each way, it's HUGE!! We are looking into Southwest because of the free baggage which would save us a ton! My husband grew up in Westland and went to school there. Small world!!

 

[kristenrice]

Sorry, I am on the wrong side of the mitten (10 minutes from the Grand Rapids airport), but I will tell you....I GLADLY drive two and a half hours to fly AirTran out of Detroit. Although I have only flown with them three times, I do not even consider another carrier anymore.

First, when I was travelling alone with my DD's (ages 3 and 5), the ground crew in Atlanta refused to bring me my stroller for DD3 (which had been gate checked) because it was in a travel bag. As I stood there, near tears, because I did not know how I was going to get my carryon, car seat (in a backpack) and both of my kids and their bag to my next gate, the PILOT of our flight intervened on my behalf. When the ground crew STILL refused to bring my stroller to me, the PILOT grabbed my bag in one hand and my DD5 in the other and personally escorted me to my next gate!

Second, AirTran allows you to upgrade to Business Class (DTW-MCO) for only $69 each way. This gives you two checked bags (a value of $40), free alcohol on the plane (at $6 each, that's another $30 value for me!), free, better quality snacks and the ability to board first. I love this perk, mostly on our flight TO MCO since I don't have to drive when we get there, thanks to DME.

Third, AirTran's rates from DTW-MCO are consistently lower than most. I've noticed that NWA had comparable fares (eventually) but they didn't come out until about a month before our trips and that is cutting it too close for me. This past October, I had a total of 8 A+ credits (4 were mine and 4 were my DD's) that were going to expire. They let me redeem them and use them towards upgrading both legs of my round trip flight to Business Class. On top of that, I booked as two one-way flights....$54 down and $44 back. I also used the $25 coupon codes that they'd sent out for flights to/from Florida. Bottom Line: I flew business class, round-trip for a GRAND TOTAL of $69.20!

Many folks have complained about AirTran moving their flights around. Yes, they do that....so do most all airlines, it is not just AirTran. If you book with them, check your flight times frequently. IF they move you or your flight, they will be more than accommodating. Simply call them and tell them that they changed the schedule and they will put you on any open flight you choose....that day, the day before or the day after, some have even been able to switch airports.....for no additional charge. I've noticed that there is almost always at least one non-stop DTW-MCO flight every day, sometimes two. You should not have a problem getting a non-stop. Obviously, if there is only one, you don't have a choice in flight times. You'd be stuck with the times that they give you or you'd need to choose a connecting flight. If that is not acceptable, they will refund your money. Overall, I have found their customer service to be outstanding. They allowed me to switch my family from a 6pm flight ($59) to an 11am flight ($129) because my original time of departure changed by 13 minutes! I got an additional 7 hours in Florida at no extra charge because my flight time changed from 6:02pm to 6:15pm.

As far as their fees are concerned, they charge $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second. They also charge $6 to preselect your seats. These fees are all waived if you do the $69 upgrade to business class. Also, if you go to kayak.com first, find your flight, and click thru to the AirTran site to complete your booking, you will not be charged the $6 seat fee. If you are travelling with a party that cannot be separated (i.e. with small children), PRESELECT YOUR SEATS! There are numerous discussions here about people who wanted to save the $6 each and then were upset that they were separated on the plane. If someone chose to pay for their seat, they will not be forced to give it up so that someone who chose NOT to pay can sit with their family member, whatever the age.

I would not hesitate for a moment to fly AirTran. I am not a frequent traveller by any means, but I don't think you can beat it for the price.

Good Luck!

 

[wezee]

I always check Airtran...flew with them lat Oct. with no problems or significant time changes. I would use them again this March, but their non-stop flights don't work for us and have been a bit pricey. We are also on the Spirit $9 club, and I locked in our March air for $77 each way ( per person). Even with fees, it was the best deal I could find for non-stop, for our dates in March. Time was ticking away and I got nervous when I saw a bunch of the airfares rising...so I booked Spirit last week.

 

[TAKitty]

We are flying with Airtran again this February. We haven't had a problem with them changing flights/times. I think our flight changed by ten minutes or so. We have never had them change a nonstop flight to a flight with a stop.

I usually book Spirit, Northwest, or Airtran to MCO because it is nonstop. Northwest has had no deals lately and Spirit has been a bit pricey too.

 

[Brian Noble]

I generally fly NWA, because I have access to their lounges and status on NW/DL, but would not hesitate to book AT. My uncle flies them all the time from FNT, and has been very happy with them.

 

[SuzyQue]

Wow kristenrice, you're a regular walking/talking advertisement for them. Thanks for all the info. We drive through your area all summer long on the way to the Silver Lake Sand dunes (that's what my picture is). I hear that side of the state has been bombarded with snow so far this winter.

 

[budbeerlady]

We have used Airtran out of Detroit for several trips with no issue. They did once move a flight on me but I was able to get it changed with no fees involved. I think every airline has done that to me by now... sign of the times and I was buying far in advance!

The staff was so friendly and they are out first pick for carriers, followed by northwest, southwest and then spirit....

 

[kristenrice]

Wow kristenrice, you're a regular walking/talking advertisement for them. Thanks for all the info. We drive through your area all summer long on the way to the Silver Lake Sand dunes (that's what my picture is). I hear that side of the state has been bombarded with snow so far this winter.

That is an interesting observation...

We live in GR so we are about 30 miles from the lakeshore. Holland frequently gets hit hard with the lake effect snow, but we haven't had it too bad here in the "big" city. I was actually thinking that it has been a very mild winter so far. We had that one big storm, but that has pretty much been it. DH has only gotten the snowblower out three times this year. If this keeps up, I won't complain one bit! But, I would rather have the snow now than in April.

And about AirTran, I really do love them, but to give you a little perspective...
My flights as an adult have consisted of United (on our honeymoon in 2002) and NWA in January 2008. After that, it has been AirTran the other three times (2008 and twice in 2009). So, although I do really like them alot, I will admit that I do not have a wide range of experience with other airlines. Take my opinions with a grain of salt.