Airtran or SW?

[PoohBear]

We usually fly SW but now we are considering Airtran. The rate for Airtran will work out to be about $100 less for us (after we pay for the first bags and all). But I am not familiar with their seating or schedules at all.

We have five people and it is important for us to all sit together. I thought I had some idea of the seating on Airtran. But when I tried to select our seats ahead of time, only two were available. Obviously, more than two should be available since I was trying to buy five seats.

It is also important to DH that we fly non-stop. From what I have been reading here, Airtran sometimes changes flight times and changes non-stops into layovers?? Is this true? Can some one fill me in on Airtran?
Thanks for the help

 

[a1tinkfans]

My experience with Airtran is somewhat limited. My dad uses it. I much prefer SW.

SO far he has been bumped, delayed and had his luggage broken. I don't like the changes especially when it comes to Disney time. They did not even notify him, saw change on website, which is crazy.

I believe he PAID Airtran extra to be sure he got to sit together with his friend, another thing I think is nuts.

By the way, he complained about his luggage and though it took like 2 mos to resolve, they felt terrible after the run around they gave him and sent him a voucher for a free flight anywhere in US they flew, he was surprised and happy but personally I still would not use them.

 

[Goofy4]

I just booked on one of the first days available and several consecutive rows in a couple sections of the plane were 'unavailable'. I believe they withhold several rows right up until check-in to help keep parties together.

I don't like that they don't make it clear that you have a reasonable chance (if indeed that is the case) to keep your family together if you don't pay-up for the seat assignments. Just like the SW commercials say...

More here:
http://www.airtran.com/faq/q/how_can_i_reserve_my_seat_before_the_flight.aspx

 

[bookwormde]

Unless you are traveling around a holiday SW almost always matches or beats other airlines rates at about the 2-3 month time frame especially if you have any flexibility in your flight times.

bookwormde

 

[jessily]

I've flown Airtran and didn't have any issues. That was about 4 years ago though before all the extra charges and things started. Personally I always try to fly Southwest now when I can. If there was a huge different in price I might consider otherwise, but to me it's worth a little extra money for the peace of mind. I think Southwest runs a great business. It's so easy to change flights and get credit for future flights. Every experience I've had with them has been a positive one.

 

[disney's daughter]

I don't have the option of using Southwest....(I go out of Saginaw or Flint, Michigan and Southwest is in neither airport) so, I use Air Tran all the time....and have never had any of those issues either, yet. However, you do have to pay for your seats if you want to sit together.

 

[cdrn1]

I have never had any problems with Airtran other than minor changes in my flight times. If the times pose a problem they will change you to a different flight for free. Also, right now they are having a promo where if you buy gift certs you get 1 reward credit for every $100 you buy; I was going to book anyway for my family for April so I will buy the certs and then book the flights with the certs and I will earn a free RT flight.
I have flown AT Indy to Orlando three times in the last year or so with absolutely no problems. I am not happy about the bag fee but even so it's still cheaper for me than SW and better times.
I also like SW a lot; if all other factors were equal I would probably choose them.

 

[atigeg]

usually fly SW, but AirTran for my December flights was way cheaper the SW

in the four months time frame from booking:

the return flight changed from a non stop to a 2 hour layover in Atlanta with the first flight leaving 1 hour earlier. (with no email notification) Needless to say, paid the bucks to convert to SW nonstop

the departure flight changed three times (thankfully staying a nonstop), the only email was for the last 5 minute change, no emails for the previous changes of 30 minutes each.

in 4 years of flying southwest, the scheduled flight times have never changed. Except for weather related and that's going to happen with any airline.

 

[dburg30]

usually fly SW, but AirTran for my December flights was way cheaper the SW

in the four months time frame from booking:

the return flight changed from a non stop to a 2 hour layover in Atlanta with the first flight leaving 1 hour earlier. (with no email notification) Needless to say, paid the bucks to convert to SW nonstop

the departure flight changed three times (thankfully staying a nonstop), the only email was for the last 5 minute change, no emails for the previous changes of 30 minutes each.

in 4 years of flying southwest, the scheduled flight times have never changed. Except for weather related and that's going to happen with any airline.

IMO, reading posts here, this is the biggest issue that people seem to have. Airtran is very apt it seems to change flights from NS to layovers in ATL. There are even some people that basically came back and posted 'got the infamous change from airtran' like they really were expecting it. Other then that, I really dont hear many bag things about them.. Have never flown them, always fly SW and will continue to do so unless they screw up and piss me off

 

[bobbiwoz]

Airtran is now the only direct flight we have from Dayton to Orlando, so that's what we use, and it's been fine for us.

Bobbi

PS. It's a 90 minute drive to Columbus, where SW flies to, and costs more to park there, so even if we do have a stop, it's just a nicer trip when we fly out of Dayton.

 

[kristenrice]

AirTran is known for changing their flights. The only suggestion I have is to check their schedules for the months before your trip. We fly from DTW-MCO and there seems to always be 2 nonstops every day. Now, the actual times of those flights are all over the board. If I have my heart set on non-stop, then I have to prepare for anything. At least there is 2 flights to choose from.

They do allow you to change flights if they change the flight times. From what I've heard, you can pick any flight that day, the day before or the day after, with no fees to change. I booked a $64 one-way return from MCO to DTW. Right now, it is scheduled for a 2:55pm departure....perfect...but, if it changes to an earlier time, I have the option of picking any flight that day. I also do not have to pay any difference in airfare. My $64 price is "locked in". Of course, that policy is subject to change at any time. When this happened in October, the flight moved from 2:30pm to 10:00am. I called and requested that I be put on the flight that left at 7:30pm. It had a 40 minute layover in Atlanta (which was fine because we got off the plane and then got back on the same one !) and I got 5 extra hours at Disney out of it. The phone call to make the change took all of about 5 minutes. They have very good customer service, IMO.

I really wanted to book another round-trip with them for our June vacation. I am glad (so far) that I chose Spirit for our trip down. I booked one-way on Spirit for $49.50/person and the return on AirTran was $64. I checked the flights today and the Spirit flight is now $94 and the Airtran flight is $129! So far, they are both non-stops, but I expect the AirTran flight to change. Hopefully, it will move later, rather than earlier.

 

[jobie61]

I've used both SW and Airtran out of PHL, and I can honestly say I would rather book with Airtran.

I can't stand the cattle call and the A pass B pass C pass crap that SW puts everyone through at the Gate.

Given all the options I'd even pay more to fly Airtran, although not much more. But Airtran and Southwest rates are usually competive.

Anyway those are my thoughts on it.

If the rates close go with Airtran.

 

[TDC Nala]

My December flights were also far cheaper on Airtran (although they were booked back in March and nothing is that cheap anymore). I did originally have flights to and from Dulles and those were changed to flights with layovers and inconvenient times a few months ago. To get the times back on track and get back on a nonstop I was required to switch my flights from Dulles to BWI.

 

[twinklebug]

If this is for a trip to Disney and if you plan on using ME, know that with Airtran allows you to check your luggage for return at the resort. With Southwest you bring the luggage to the waiting coach and check it in at the airport on your own.

That said, between the two airlines, I prefer Southwest. I've found the 2" difference in legroom to be a pain. The "cattle call" is no longer. Now days, in addition to receiving an A, B or C loading zone on your pass when you check in online, they also assign a number - when the plane is ready they ask you to line up according to that number and voila, your in.

Also know that Airtran now charges for all checked bags, the fees vary, whereas southwest still has the first checked bag is free policy. If checking 3 bags on airtran, your savings starts to look a bit thinner.

 

[pamjb]

Also know that Airtran now charges for all checked bags, the fees vary, whereas southwest still has the first checked bag is free policy. If checking 3 bags on airtran, your savings starts to look a bit thinner.

SW actually allows the first 2 checked bags for free.

 

[twinklebug]

SW actually allows the first 2 checked bags for free.

Oh I didn't need to know *that*. Now I'll be more tempted to bring home all those little extras Thanks!

 

[karendvc07]

Thanks for this great thread! I've always flown SW, but was considering going with Airtran for our DCL vacation. It would be convenient to fly with a participating airline. But, after reading the posts about all the Airtran flight changes, I think I'm staying with SW. Also, am I correct in thinking that Airtran charges for any changes to flights that I might make? I love that SW does not charge for changes/cancellations/checked bags/etc!!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes. You will pay a $75 fee to Airtran if you change or cancel your flights.

If you need to change them because of a schedule change made by Airtran, they waive the fee.