Airtran OR Southwest?

[Kerlynne]

We have found the same price out of Phila to Orlando. So was wondering the pros & cons of each SouthWest as well as Airtran. We have not flown neither one, so any feed back would be great!

Would you fly
1. Southwest
or { PHY-MCO}
2. Airtran
Thanks!

 

[MAH4546]

airTran, definitley. They have more comfortable planes, in my opinion, and assigned seating. Seats also have free live XM radio. You can also upgrade to business class for $35 at the gate (pending space) if you wish to spring for it.

 

[JandD Mom]

We have found the same price out of Phila to Orlando. So was wondering the pros & cons of each SouthWest as well as Airtran. We have not flown neither one, so any feed back would be great!

Would you fly
1. Southwest
or { PHY-MCO}
2. Airtran
Thanks!

If all things are equal (price and times) I would pick Southwest without hesitation (Airtran would not be close). Here's why:

1. SW's schedules are nearly set in stone when they come out. Not so with Airtran. They moved up our flight home memorial day weekend by 3 hours (to 1 pm from 4 pm) and there was no alternative flights at that point for us to switch to. It put a major crimp in our plans. They did the same to my brother's family in January before a cruise.

2. SW will allow you to get a credit toward a future flight if rates go down. Airtran does not.

3. SW has no cancellation or change fees. Airtran has a fee.

4. SW has better seats and better service.

5. We waited over an HOUR for our luggage to come out in Philly on Memorial day because Airtran's baggage handlers called out sick, JUST LIKE USAIR. The last time we flew SW, the bags were on the carousel before we even got there.

The only negative for SW is the lack of assigned seating which some people do not like. However, for Airtran you still need computer access 24 hours in advance to get assigned seats.

As you can probably tell, I am not a huge fan of airtran.

Good luck!

 

[dphie28]

I have never flown SW but we flew AirTran home on 7/9 and we will never use them again! The plane was filthy! There were two cabin stewards on the whole flight and they were CRANKY! The flight was 30 min late, then we were delayed on the runway an entire hour. They have no pillows on any of their flights (we were told as my sleeping 19 mo old baby's head hung without support) and about 10 blankets for the entire plane. When we landed, we were told to please clean up around us to keep prices low. It was obvious that no one cleans the planes in between flights because there was trash all over the floor, in the seats and in the pouches of the seats in front of us. I was totally grossed out. They also broke the handle on my stroller that they checked at the gate and damaged other luggage that we checked at the counter. Oh, I almost forgot, worst of all....they cancelled the time of our flight that we originally booked and only because I went online did I find this out! We were supposed to leave MCO at about 6 pm and they moved us to a 2:30 flight. Luckily, they let me choose the 8:10 flight so we could still visit MK on our last day.

 

[JandD Mom]

Oh, I almost forgot, worst of all....they cancelled the time of our flight that we originally booked and only because I went online did I find this out! We were supposed to leave MCO at about 6 pm and they moved us to a 2:30 flight. Luckily, they let me choose the 8:10 flight so we could still visit MK on our last day.

That's another thing I forgot. Airtran never notifies you of a flight change (at least they have never notified me or anyone I know who flew with them). They will swear to you when you call that they "just haven't gotten to you yet" but it is not true.

 

[princess aurora]

Not sure but it looks like AirTrans (out of Buffalo anyway) does not have any direct flights. There are direct flights on SWA.

I'm holding out for SWA and hope they will soon go to the $49 fares for Oct.

 

[JustHolly]

Southwest has a 30+ year accident free history. If I remember correctly, and someone will correct me if I'm wrong, AirTran used to be ValueJet. I think they buy older planes, or at least used to. Southwest has a VERY new fleet, though they are still using older planes as well.

I just think Southwest's safety record can't be beat. I assume it is partly because the airline is thriving financially and can afford to keep up with their planes.

I fly Southwest for many reasons, but its safety record is at the top of my list of why.

 

[beccasmom]

I've never flow Airtran, but some anecdotal information from friends and business associates would cause me to avoid it if possible.

I have flown SWA and have been pleasantly surprised. The no-assigned seating situation is not all that bad. Checking in on-line if possible makes it much easier.

USAirways is PHL's dominant carrier, but waits for luggage can be horrendous in PHL. We had no problems on our trip last month, but did have an hour wait in February. Longer waits are not uncommon. There were no problems in MCO.

 

[starwood]

I've never flown Southwest but will definitely never, never, never fly Air Tran again.

We encountered weather delays flying home from Tampa through Atlanta to Newark. We arrived very late in Atlanta on Sat evening and missed our connection. We were then told the next flight they could put on to Newark was Tuesday night. DS had to be back at school Monday and DH had to go back to work. They finally got us on a flight Sunday morning to Baltimore where we had to rent a car and drive home the rest of the way. It cost us an extra $200 which they refused to reimburse.

 

[tinknme]

Hmm I just booked a flight out of Moline going to Orlando with Airtran. Will be interesting to see how our flights go. My bil & sil flew Airtran in May with no complaints, hope it's the same for me

 

[lilkitty819]

I have flown on both. Actually Air Trans has newer planes then SWA there planes are specially made 717 for them, I've flown several times with Air Trans and have only had one flight attendent that I wanted to slap. I've always have found the plane clean and 99.99% of the workers very nice, we always seem to get where were flying on time and sometimes we're early Now SWA I really have nothing bad to say nor nothing great to say about them I would use them again if it meant that they were the only one with a non-stop flight for where i was going but other wise I would pick Air Trans over them.

 

[maryliz]

Oh My ... you've scared me now about our upcoming Aug flight from Buffalo to MCO, with a stopover in Atlanta. We did already find out on-line (no notification) that they have moved up our flight coming home. Kind of disappointing as of course I wanted to get a couple of hours in at MK before leaving for the airport

We usually drive from Ontario to WDW, but flew SWA in January and loved it. I was hoping that AirTran would be the same type of experience, other than having to change planes in Atlanta.

Could use some really positive stuff on AirTran ... anyone ... anyone ???


MaryLiz

 

[MAH4546]

I think they buy older planes, or at least used to. Southwest has a VERY new fleet, though they are still using older planes as well.

airTran's fleet is the single youngest airline fleet in the United States, younger than jetBlue (who is 2nd), with an average age of less than three years old. More than half of Southwest's planes are more than ten years old.

 

[MAH4546]

Could use some really positive stuff on AirTran ... anyone ... anyone ???

Like I said, excellent airline. Great service, clean planes, modern fleet. I've only flown them in business class, but no reason to think that doesn't extend to coach as well.

I personally can't stand Southwest. I don't enjoy their "cattle herding" onto the plane, they don't allow stand-by, and they overbook like crazy.

 

[JustHolly]

airTran's fleet is the single youngest airline fleet in the United States, younger than jetBlue (who is 2nd), with an average age of less than three years old. More than half of Southwest's planes are more than ten years old.

Thank you for clarifying that. I had heard otherwise through word of mouth, but as we know, that is not always the best source of information.

Is Air Tran the former ValueJet or do I have that confused as well??

 

[puffkin]

Haven't flown Southwest yet (booked for December) so no comment there.

We had a good experience with Airtran on our June trip. We usually fly USAir out of Philly, so I am happy to find this to be a great alternative. The plane was clean and nice, the crew was fine (not spectacular, but fine), check in was easy and smooth, and baggage arrived relatively quick in both airports.

I booked in December for our June flight and the times did change early in the 2005 for our departing flight, but it actually was changed to a more favorable time for us. It didn't move more than 5 minutes from then. Return flight only changed by 5 minutes the whole time. I found it out online, but we did receive two phone calls about the departure flight about 3 weeks before our flight (on home and cell numbers).

I know this may sound trivial, but the other thing I liked about Airtran was they gave us a full can of soda on both flights, not just the little cup. Plus, two bags of pretzels. I know this is trivial, but I do love my soda......

 

[TeresaMc]

Hmm I just booked a flight out of Moline going to Orlando with Airtran. Will be interesting to see how our flights go. My bil & sil flew Airtran in May with no complaints, hope it's the same for me

I have flown AirTran out of Moline lots of times and will be doing it again in December, never had any problems. Planes are nice and new and have XM radio.

 

[tinknme]

Sorry to sound silly here but can you explain the XM radio. Do we all get headphones or do you have to request them? Glad to hear you like flying with Airtran, I'm looking forward to it!

I have flown AirTran out of Moline lots of times and will be doing it again in December, never had any problems. Planes are nice and new and have XM radio.

 

[CarolA]

Southwest has a 30+ year accident free history. If I remember correctly, and someone will correct me if I'm wrong, AirTran used to be ValueJet. I think they buy older planes, or at least used to. Southwest has a VERY new fleet, though they are still using older planes as well.

Personally I love SW, but this line of reasoning is just plain strange. Basically you can ONLY fly SW since they are the only airline that has not had an accident and once they do... I guess you drive!

AirTran and ValueJet are NOT the same company....

A few other notes.... There are not pillows on the majority of planes now. If you need them bring them!

One thing I can stay for sure from traveling a LOT... No airline is perfect. If you are looking for an airline that everyone will agree is wonderful you may look a long time. (Although Midwest Express and Singapore Airlines seem to have great reputations!)

 

[JustHolly]

Personally I love SW, but this line of reasoning is just plain strange. Basically you can ONLY fly SW since they are the only airline that has not had an accident and once they do... I guess you drive!

AirTran and ValueJet are NOT the same company....

CarolA- It is not "strange" and I'm sorry you think so. I was simply saying that that is my favorite thing about SWA. It is somewhat a reflection of how well their fleet is maintained. I have been on an older, not so maintained plane that was literally falling apart. In fact, it broke midflight and we had the emergency landing from you know where. That airline has since been shut down... I wonder why. I travel a lot too! I don't appreciate being called strange.

I did the research and answered my own question. CarolA, you're mistaken. On 6/10/97 AirTran merged with ValuJet. So yes, now they are the same company. They changed the name to Airtran on 9/24/97. What I DID learn today is that in 1999, AirTran began to update it's fleet and it does have a VERY new fleet, especially since 2003 when they ordered more than 50 new 737's and 717's.


P.S. The last time I flew SWA was last Friday, and they continue to provide both pillows and blankets. No whole cans of soda or XM though. Air Tran has its perks, I guess.