Airtran or southwest?

[Lancer]

I am ready to book a flight from IND to MCO on Feb 4th. Got it narrowed down to either Airtran or Southwest. Airtran departs Ind, nonstop, at 7:20am (which means getting up at 2:00am) arriving 9:25am for $222. On Southwest, I can sleep in for a 10:20am nonstop flight, arriving 12:30pm for $232. The early morning wakeup doesnt bother me and the differance in cost is neglegible so I was wondering if anyone has an opinion on choosing between either airline as far as problems,service,luggage etc..

Thanks,
Lancer

 

[PrincessAlways]

I've used both airlines, thankfully, no problems with either.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

One thing to consider...

Chances are your Airtran flight time will change... but the Southwest flight time will remain the same.

 

[MM1102]

I've flown both from IND to MCO. As Tyler says, AirTran's schedule does move around a bit, which can be a bit nerve-wracking if you're keeping to a tight itinerary. I'm not crazy about Southwest's boarding system, so I'd go AirTran (if the schedule adjustments don't scare you off). AirTran offers fairly cheap upgrades, too.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I haven't had a problem with either one. In fact, they are the only 2 airlines I take to WDW. I make my choice based on whichever one is cheaper or has a better flight time. I have flown Airtran at least 10 times and it sounds like I have gotten lucky....I never had a flight time changed. I would go with the Southwest flight this time. If I had gotten up at 2am that day in WDW would be wasted because I would be so dead.

 

[TDC Nala]

I will use Southwest almost exclusively since they came to Dulles.

If you book one way flights, you can change them if a lower fare is offered and get a credit. (you can do this with a round trip, too, but it's easier to have one-ways if one leg of the trip is discounted and the other isn't, or one of your flights is not available later). They don't charge a fee for flight changes or cancellations. Most of the time, they will not change your flight on you. I have had Airtran change on me before...they didn't notify me, I found the change when checking my online reservation. They had moved me from a nonstop to a flight with a 3 hour layover in Atlanta. And on SW you can check in online 24 hours prior to your flight and be practically guaranteed the coveted A group boarding pass. I have snagged the exit row on my last three flights with them because of that, and I'm not even the first in the A line. (Kids under 15 can't sit in the exit row, and most of the A boarders prefer to sit in the very front of the plane).

 

[TMEF23]

I prefer AirTran over southwest. I like to be able to select my seats prior to getting on the plane!

 

[Lancer]

Thanks for the input everyone, I do appreciate it! I think I am going to go with southwest. The fact that they do not change your flights is the proverbial clincher. The fact that they will refund some of your money if a cheaper fare comes out for your flight, will be a bonus. And I get to sleep in(til 5:00am)! what a deal!

Lancer

 

[TDC Nala]

Thanks for the input everyone, I do appreciate it! I think I am going to go with southwest. The fact that they do not change your flights is the proverbial clincher. The fact that they will refund some of your money if a cheaper fare comes out for your flight, will be a bonus. And I get to sleep in(til 5:00am)! what a deal!

Lancer

Don't assume they will refund your money if you change the flight to a cheaper one. I've heard of that happening but the official line is that you get a credit on Southwest to use within a year of your original booking.

 

[Lancer]

Don't assume they will refund your money if you change the flight to a cheaper one. I've heard of that happening but the official line is that you get a credit on Southwest to use within a year of your original booking.

Thanks for the clarification.

Lancer

 

[erikthewise]

Airtran or Southwest?
The answer is yes. They are both among the best US airlines, though of course neither is perfect.

With due respect to Tyler, the time change thing with Airtran seems to depends on the airport you fly out of. We fly Airtran nonstop out of Dayton and have occasionally had time changes but never more than 90 minutes and it has never disrupted our plans. This year the flights have not changed a single minute (and since we leave in less than three weeks I don't think they will). I don't know how it is in Indianapolis, but I suspect nonstops have less time change problems than connecting flights.

But any nonstop is great! Enjoy your flight and your trip!

 

[bsmandi]

We are using Airtran out of Indy for our December trip. My decision was made because of flight prices, ($546 for 3 people! ) I'm hoping they don't change our times too much. We have always done southwest in the past and have never had any problems. Have a great trip!

 

[NancyIL]

A week after buying my Oct. 2006 tickets on AirTran, on the only non-stop per day between Bloomington, IL and Orlando - AirTran dropped the non-stop flights except on Saturdays. Fortunately, I had enough credits to be able to upgrade my outbound flights to their business class - which was very nice. Bloomington, IL is an hour closer to me than Indy, plus it has free parking, so I will probably continue using AirTran far more than Southwest.

 

[mamamary]

We just flew on Air Tran for the first time. I didn't realize they change their flight times until I joined this board. Luckily neither of our flight times changed (we booked I think about 3 mo. in advance). We flew out of BWI.