Airtran in General?

[caaber01]

So I got lots of replies and help regarding how to ensure sitting together with my family on Airtran. Now, I'm curious about how those of you who have chosen Airtran have liked it. I heard that they give kids little "wing pins" to wear? I'm not sure if this is true or not. Is there anything else you liked/disliked about them. We are quite close to booking (possibly tonight) so any insight would be great!

 

[jagafen]

Please consider my opinion to be very biased. I hate them, and we will never fly with them again. There were SOOO many flight changes (we orgionally booked a non-stop, and they changed times numerous times, and then cancelled the non-stop all together). We were never notified, I only found out abou tthe changes because I was checking our flights about every 2 weeks. They charge $6 for seat selections, which they will tell you you need to do to have your children sit next to you. IMO, that should just be bundled into the cost of the ticket. Their customer service is the rudest that I have encountered. We last flew with them shortly after airlines started imposing baggage fees (i think August of 2008). They tried to charge us fees for flights that were booked prior to their new policy, which violated FAA rules. I had to file a complaint with the FAA (I think it was them, if not, some other governmental oversight agency) and report them. They insisted that they could do whatever they wanted with their fee structure after I booked the flights, and I was "stuck" paying it. I even had govenrmnetal policy that I was qouting them over the phone, and they basically told me to shove it.....that's when the letter got written.

The only positive thing that happened, is that AFTER i filed the complaint, an upper level manager got involved, gave me her number, and made notations on our reservation so that we wouldn't be charged baggage fees at the gates. If I had any issues, I was to call her, directly, and she would take care of it.

In the end, they lost my business. and that of the other 8 people we were traveling with. IT was a HUGE nightmare.

 

[Nancy F]

We've never had a problem. Or I should say that the few times we've had a problem... it wasn't Airtran's fault. Bad weather can't be blamed on the airline. LOL. I'll probably always use Airtran.
Nancy

 

[bjscheel]

We had no trouble last November. Flights never changed, though we booked only 5 weeks out. Our return flight was about a half hour late departing I guess. Our only nonstop options were Airtran and Southwest and Airtran's times were so much nicer. Now that they are flying nonstop out of Des Moines I am eager to use them again...previously we were driving 3 hours to KC.

I didn't have to pay for the seating assignments since I started at kayak.com when booking, but I hear they have since closed that loophole.

I don't remember getting any wing pins. They did their job, though, we got there and back, and with all our luggage! Recently they were rated #2 airline in an article I saw online.

 

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

So I got lots of replies and help regarding how to ensure sitting together with my family on Airtran. Now, I'm curious about how those of you who have chosen Airtran have liked it. I heard that they give kids little "wing pins" to wear? I'm not sure if this is true or not. Is there anything else you liked/disliked about them. We are quite close to booking (possibly tonight) so any insight would be great!

We have never had a problem with them, so in my experience I have liked them. I do not like that you have to pay for checked baggage now We have always had polite service from the employees and our flights never changed times. I will probably fly with them for our upcoming flight too.

Our kids have never been given little 'wing pins' , and they would be the right ages?? I think that that is probably a thing of the past. All good things come to an end...

I am not sure where you are flying from, but usually if you book flights on Tues or Wed morning that is when they offer the cheapest seat deals.... Just a thought

good luck!

 

[iheartdisney]

I've only flown them twice, but you could not pay me to fly airtran again!
Rude customers, rude customer service.
Notoriusly overbook their flights.
Gate checked my carseats, and both of them didn't make it off the plane. But the stroller did.
Once our flight was delayed...you would think they would make an announcement at the gate or change the sign or something...nope. Over an hour and a half, and the board at the gate was still flashing "on time" After 45 minnutes I had to go up and ask because my DD was having a potty emergency, but I didn't want to leave the gate for fear of getting left behind.

 

[d's do disney]

Like every other topic on this board, opinions will really vary.

My family has flown airtran MANY times and I have been extremely happy with the service they have provided. Our flight is a nonstop and has never been changed other than once last year (by about 1/2 an hour.)

We really like the airline and it's my first choice for booking. I consider ourselves lucky to have had such great service and I'm an eternal optimist that it will continue. And if not, that's ok too. Good luck with your choice.

 

[Pastamom]

We've flown with them before - but not again if I can help it. The last time we flew with them they changed are flight 6 times total - sometimes they didn't even notify us. And we're not just talking a few minutes different. They took us off a non stop and put us on a 1 stop leaving 2 hours earlier. My girlfriend had booked an AM nonstop and they changed her flight to an afternoon flight.

Their seating system is horrible - They had my 2 sons (ages 6 & 8) sitting by themselves and "couldn't" change it.

They put DS 6 on stand-by (on an overbooked flight) because he has the same name as DH coming home from Orlando. When I called about it a little concerned - they told me there was nothing they could do and that I should get to the airport early to get a seat for him....luckily he got a seat but I was worried he wouldn't and not sure what I would do if he didn't get a seat...

Not to mention the checked bag fee

I feel kind of like Pete with this rant....

 

[ZeroMyHero]

We flew AirTran in '08 and didn't have any problems. They were cheaper than Southwest so that's why we chose them. I'd fly them again, though a PP mentioned they now charge for checked luggage, which might outweigh the extra cost of a Southwest flight.

 

[goofyisinphilly]

I haven't had any major problems with Airtran. They are usually on time. They did cancel 2 different 6 am flights from CLT to ATL. I was rebooked on the 8:20 am flight. But those were cancelled after I was at the airport already. So yes, I would fly them again.

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

Airtran is one of the worst airlines I have EVER dealt with. I booked our flight for last year in August and thought we were all fine....however, first they changed our flight (from nonstop to a lay over flight)and didn't let us know. Then they decided to up and pull out of the airport we were flying from and again didn't not let us know. A family member read in the paper they were leaving so I called and they said well be can rebook out of another airport 3 hours away. I of course said NO!! and they proceed to give me a hard time about refunding our money!!!!!! After several calls we were finally refunded our money!!!! I WOULD NEVER EVER FLY AIRTRAN EVER AGAIN THEY ARE THE WORST AIRLINE.....We only fly Southwest. We never have any trouble with them they a great!!!!

 

[Daytona99]

We have flown Air Tran many, many times. Never had any problems.

 

[peemagg]

We also have flown Airtran several times and had no problems. I even have to fly with medical equipment and they have been nothing but professional and helpful. Sometimes the levels of helpfulness is different, but it was more the flight crews attitude.

 

[Greenfield1984]

We used Airtran for the first time on our last trip and we really liked them. They changed our flight time, but only by 2minutes, so no big deal. And their customer service was fantastic. Going down to Orlando we had a layover, and after I had booked I realized there was an earlier flight out of the 2nd airport, so the day of our flight we asked at the airport when checking in if we could get on standby for the earlier flight. Well they just issued us tickets for it instead and made sure we all sat together. We thought that was really nice of them and gave us an extra couple of hours with the Mouse

 

[bear_mom]

We have flown AT several times to DW and other places and have never had any problems with them.

Our flights times have changed less then 30 minutes for each flight, if they changed at all. Customer service has always been helpful when I have called them. Have had more problems with Northwest/Delta changing flight times and not notifying us.

Flights always seem to be on time and we have had good service from they flight crews.

I think all airlines except Southwest charge for luggage now. Even with paying for the seat assignments, the flights are still cheaper than other airlines we could fly.

With all things, I'm sure there are going to be mixed reviews and mixed levels of happiness.

Emily

 

[RMulieri]

We use them all the time since they are the only direct air carrier from where we are.We love them and have NEVER had a problem or an issue.

 

[maxiesmom]

I like Airtran. Their flights were on schedule, and they were great at dealing with a few jerks we had on the plane.

All the complains I have read here could be said about any airline. Most charge for seats and baggage. Most do change their schedules around a bit. It just doesn't make sense to fly 2 half full planes when 1 full plane will do.

 

[yellowfish78]

I agree with just about everyone here - I've had good flights on Airtran, I've had bad flights. But even on the bad flights I get to where I need to be.

I book with a travel agent though - seats are assigned at time of booking free of charge when booking with an agent so I've never had to pay for seats.

 

[djp0630]

They suck! Never again! They changed our flights and never notified me. There was no food to buy on the plane. And when we landed after a lot of diversions because of weather (had to land at a different airport to refuel), it was 11PM, and they had broken our stroller (we gate checked it). So I mentioned it to the guy working at the airtran luggage gate and he was SOOO rude! He told me that I would have to leave my stroller there (my kids were asleep in it) or else I couldn't file a claim. He's like "What did you expect me to just hand you a check?" Ugh! I thought USAirways was bad, but I won't be flying Airtran again!

 

[jessica52877]

I have flown airtran several times in the past 7 years with my son and he has never received any wings. No biggie though. Their service has always been exceptional and I will continue to fly with them. I started when they were valujet and haven't flown another airline since!

I just got notice today of changed flight times for our trip in October from ATL to LAX. The times weren't changed more then 30 minutes and not a big deal.

Paying for seats and luggage for the most part seems normal now a days.

We were offered snack packs to purchase on the last several long flights we took. I just make sure we eat once at the airport or grab something to take on.