AirTran or United... Which would you choose??

[purplevalentine]

Trying to book a flight to my other favorite destination Las Vegas. I have 2 choices, both cost exactly the same. I could fly Airtran from BWI which connects in ATL and arrives at 9:10pm or I can fly United from BWI and connect in Denver and arrives at 7:42pm. Either arrival time is fine with me. I've fly AirTran every now and again (just last weekend and 2 weeks from now to MCO) and don't really mind them at all but HATE connecting in ATL. I could do it but it's not my favorite airport to hang out in for an hour or too. On the other hand I've flown United before but it's been a LONG time since my last flight with them so I'm not so familar with them anymore. And i've never been to Denver so it would be a new airport to experience (a cool thing not a bad thing for me). Both will have that $15 checked baggage fee. Although the United flight will allow me to choose my seats where I would have to pay the $6 fee to choose my seat with Airtran. I like window seats and actually get a bit air sick if i sit on the aisle or not close to a window.

Which would you choose and why?


Karen

 

[nkkilala]

From my experiences I would choose AirTran. I have just not had good service from United lately.

I have found the United staff to be unfriendly and I get the feeling they hate their job.

The AirTran flights have always had GREAT customer service.

That is just my limited experience but maybe it will be helpful. I also like the upgrades to 1st class with AirTran. You get free drinks, and don't have to pay to check your luggage. They are normally around 50, which for the low-fares I tend to book is still cheaper than flying out on a competitor.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[kevgraub]

I've never had any problems with United or Airtran, they are kind of a wash for me. Personally, I'd much rather connect in Denver than Atlanta.

What are the layovers like? As long as I had a 1 hour layover at either airport, the trip that had the shortest layover might win out for me.

 

[purplevalentine]

I've never had any problems with United or Airtran, they are kind of a wash for me. Personally, I'd much rather connect in Denver than Atlanta.

What are the layovers like? As long as I had a 1 hour layover at either airport, the trip that had the shortest layover might win out for me.

United's layover in Denver is 2 hrs 5 mins

AirTran's layover in Atlanta is 2 hrs 15 mins.


United has Airtran by 10 mins layover time.

Does United have any type of in flight entertainment that's free?

 

[princessjane]

I would pick United only because over the layover location. I hate Atlanta (I normally don't have a choice though) because of airport navigation and finding my terminal always seems a nightmare.

As for customer service. Airtran is a bit better but not by much. United will movies, but you pay for headphones. Airtran has free XM satellite radio. As for other free entertainment...airlines don't have free anything anymore it seems.

 

[kevgraub]

I would probably go United just based on being able to fly through Denver rather than Atlanta. Plus I would like getting into Vegas a little earlier, although it is not a huge difference - especially considering the fact it is Vegas.

 

[the.leonhardts]

Have you checked out Frontier out of Reagan National? I have staff in Denver, and really love that airline. They have 3 flights a day out of DC - 8:50, 1:45, and 6:00 pm. There seems to be multiple connections to Las Vegas out of Denver using those flights. Also -- all the Frontier gates are really close to each other in Denver, making the switch easier. I've been thinking about using them the next time I go to Vegas.

Haven't done Airtran - but have been a frequent flyer on United for a long time. They're great out of Reagan and O'Hare -- I find the Dulles trips to be a bit wearing, but that might just be the airport.

Judy

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you choose AirTran (JetBlue doesn't do that route, huh?), start your booking through www.kayak.com. By linking to AirTran through this travel search engine*, you should be able to select your seats without paying the $6 per seat, per direction fee.

*As opposed to a travel agency; purchases are not made FROM Kayak. Customers link through that site and make the purchase directly from the service provider - or, in some cases, yes, travel agencies.

 

[purplevalentine]

I would pick United only because over the layover location. I hate Atlanta (I normally don't have a choice though) because of airport navigation and finding my terminal always seems a nightmare.

As for customer service. Airtran is a bit better but not by much. United will movies, but you pay for headphones. Airtran has free XM satellite radio. As for other free entertainment...airlines don't have free anything anymore it seems.

Thank you, I decided to do the United flight. It gets into Vegas earlier and has the slightly shorter connection time. Plus I won't have to connect in ATL. I hate Atlanta's airport too, I usually don't have a choice either!



Thanks for the comments!


Karen