AirTran is pulling out of Bloomington, IL June 3rd!

[wed100105]

Well I am not doing anything until after June 3rd and then I guess I will reevaluate my options. Will probably ending up piecing flights together and not doing nonstop. I just don't think the drive to St Louis or Chicago and paying for parking for that amount of time is worth...but then its just me and my husband and we are not towing kids along.

Are you on the Peoria side of the river or the other side?

Liz

Hanna City

 

[SueM in MN]

You are nicer than me - I want Airtran back for good.

Liz

I wish they had not been taken over by Southwest.

Airtran was our favorite out of Minneapolis.
Southwest came into the Minneapolis/St. Paul market a few years ago, advertising their low fairs. But, Airtran consistently beat them, even figuring in Airtran charging for seat prechoice and bags. Delta was even cheaper a lot of the times we checked.

So, I am not looking forward to Southwest taking over Airtran.

 

[sskem96]

The prices for Airtran out of BMI went up so much when Southwest first announced the merger, we figured something like this was probably coming. We started driving to MDW because we could get a direct flight for so much cheaper and fly any day of the week instead of having to make our plans around which days of the week offered direct flights to/from BMI.

I highly recommend the Park N Fly lot at MDW. It's only a few dollars/day, great shuttle service, and indoor parking for just a few dollars more if you're afraid your car might be buried in snow when you return! They pick you up and drop you off right at your car. We have used them at least 4 times and have never had a problem. Be sure to make a reservation as they do fill to capacity.

 

[peabody58]

Change happens, we move on. Although I'd like AirTran to stay at BMI, DW and I stopped flying to MCO a year ago. Call us crazy, but we really like the 18 hr with 1 night hotel road trip to WDW and having our convertible with us during the vacation. Our next trip in in Oct '12 for 10 days. We have already planned on driving, which with today's prices, is always cheaper for us. The only down side is the lack of instant gratification of a 3 hour flight to WDW.

Other options will reveal themselves, and 5 years from now, it will all change again.

 

[Shagley]

I am also just sick about Airtran leaving Bloomington. I guess I will just have to plan on having a layover the next time I fly to Orlando. It looks like the only option for a direct flight would require a 2.5 hour drive to either St. Louis or Chicago, and I would rather deal with a layover than a long drive to the airport. Hopefully another airline will step up and add a direct flight from either BMI or PIA to MCO.

 

[NancyIL]

The prices for Airtran out of BMI went up so much when Southwest first announced the merger, we figured something like this was probably coming.

AirTran has had some really great sale fares since that time. In mid-October I bought a ticket from BMI to Orlando @ $69 + tax each way for late January. The following week the fares were $65 each way!

 

[Traveliz]

So who wants to have a Central IL meet - we could meet at CJs at the old airport in Bloomington...every time I drive past the old airport I can't believe that was actually the old airport! It is soooo small!

Liz

 

[Traveliz]

Change happens, we move on. Although I'd like AirTran to stay at BMI, DW and I stopped flying to MCO a year ago. Call us crazy, but we really like the 18 hr with 1 night hotel road trip to WDW and having our convertible with us during the vacation. Our next trip in in Oct '12 for 10 days. We have already planned on driving, which with today's prices, is always cheaper for us. The only down side is the lack of instant gratification of a 3 hour flight to WDW.

Other options will reveal themselves, and 5 years from now, it will all change again.

I like to drive too on occasion but we have a condo and a daughter in Orlando and go more frequently than once a year or two. Sure things change...sometimes I am ok with the change; other times not...this is a not time for me.

Liz

 

[wed100105]

Anyone have info if Allegiant will pick up a flight to Sanford? I saw that they did in Moline. They seem to have some pretty high fares and lots of fees though. We decided that we'd wait to see what options we have in the next few months and drive if necessary.

It's a real PITA for me because if we fly I'll need a rental car for either the second half if we fly and take ME or for the whole trip if we fly into Tampa via Allegiant from Peoria.

 

[peabody58]

So who wants to have a Central IL meet - we could meet at CJs at the old airport in Bloomington...every time I drive past the old airport I can't believe that was actually the old airport! It is soooo small!

Liz

Great idea Liz. Lets have a planning meet at Bonkers 12/17 8PM - 12AM!! I'll hire the band - Hindsight!

Ok, so this is a shameless plug for my band, but I do like your idea. Seems there's a lot of DISsers in the central IL area, and a meet and greet wouldn't be out of the question.

 

[WeLuvTink!]

We will also miss Airtran from Bloomington, but to be honest, we've been flying Airtran out of Indianapolis for the last 4 years. Sure, it's a 2 hour drive from Champaign instead of 1 hour (to Bloomington), but they offer several nonstop flights a day to Orlando. We like to fly down at 6 am and back at 4 pm. That means 2 more days at the Parks for my family.

 

[WeLuvTink!]

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