AirTran out of Allentown??

[kretsebr]

I’m looking at flying out of Allentown on AirTran in Feb 2011 for the first time, because of price. A REALLY GREAT PRICE. I’m a Southwest person by heart, but due to Southwest prices, this does not look to be happening with them (Albany/Orlando).

Looking to the board for help and suggestions, there seems to be a number of ups and downs to AirTran overall.

One of my concerns is booking with AirTran, they seem to change their schedule time for flights. That being said, the Allentown AirTran flight to Orlando looks to be fairly new. I’m wondering if there has been any issue, like that of changed schedule times, or cancellations, for this is the only flight out of Allentown for the date I’m looking at.

This could be a big issue for we would be traveling a 4hr drive from upstate New York to take that flight, plus it being the month of February, weather is another issue.

What can you tell me, to make me fell comfortable about booking and flying out of Allentown in the middle of February with AirTran.

Thank you for any help.

 

[dkoerner27]

I’m looking at flying out of Allentown on AirTran in Feb 2011 for the first time, because of price. A REALLY GREAT PRICE. I’m a Southwest person by heart, but due to Southwest prices, this does not look to be happening with them (Albany/Orlando).

Looking to the board for help and suggestions, there seems to be a number of ups and downs to AirTran overall.

One of my concerns is booking with AirTran, they seem to change their schedule time for flights. That being said, the Allentown AirTran flight to Orlando looks to be fairly new. I’m wondering if there has been any issue, like that of changed schedule times, or cancellations, for this is the only flight out of Allentown for the date I’m looking at.

This could be a big issue for we would be traveling a 4hr drive from upstate New York to take that flight, plus it being the month of February, weather is another issue.

What can you tell me, to make me fell comfortable about booking and flying out of Allentown in the middle of February with AirTran.

Thank you for any help.

i will only fly airtran from allentown anymore. the airport is convenient, theres usually no one there, and the people arent bad at all. even in the winter when other airports have flights cancelled, allentown will still be flying. i love flying from there.

 

[shystalips]

I would have to agree with the last post. Although I have never personally flown out of allentown (always go to philly because of number of flights and pricing) I always pick people up and the airport is great. There is never anyone there and you don't have to abide by the 2 1/2 hr before flight check in thing. You will be checked in within 15 minutes. So you can easily save an hour or so of waiting. If prices and dates are right I would always pick allentown.

 

[helenk]

I had originally booked Airtran from Allentown to MCO for my trip coming up in September. The fare was $62 each way whereas SW was $100. So I booked with Airtran and figured I just take carryon since it's just me going.
When I first booked the trip the flight left at 4:50 p.m, I'd get into MCO around 7:30 which was fine with me since the MK is open until 1:00 am so I could get some park time in. Then they changed the flight to 5:15 then 5:40 and then finally 6:30. When it went to 6:30 I cancelled, this is just a short trip for me and getting to WDW after 9:00 p.m just was not what I wanted, especially since the flight back was at 1:20.
I booked with SW, even though the price was higher. I got better flight times, now I'll get to WDW in the afternoon, and I can take a checked bag instead of a carry on. My flight home with SW comes back later so I get a bit more time in WDW on my last day too.
Now if I were travelling with a group of people I'm pretty sure that the cost difference would have a bigger impact on my decision making, but since it's just me, I'd rather pay more and have better flight times.
I did notice that the flight time has since I cancelled the flight now leaves at 5:27, but I am happy with my SW flights.

 

[helenk]

I would have to agree with the last post. Although I have never personally flown out of allentown (always go to philly because of number of flights and pricing) I always pick people up and the airport is great. There is never anyone there and you don't have to abide by the 2 1/2 hr before flight check in thing. You will be checked in within 15 minutes. So you can easily save an hour or so of waiting. If prices and dates are right I would always pick allentown.

You don't need to get to Philly 2 1/2 hours prior to your flight. I've gotten there 1 1/2 hr before and still had plenty of time to get checked in and go through security and still sit and read my book at the gate well before boarding.

 

[nascargirl]

We live 15 minutes from Allentown and you definately do not need to be there 2.5 hrs ahead. We usually fly in January and thank goodness our flight going down has never been cancelled due to weather. Now coming home we had a problem due to fog in the area but they made every effort to get us home and they did. We usually arrive 1 1.5 because we leave our car there and either walk or take the bus to the terminal. We have used Air Tran now several times and had them change our flight time once to later. Have you checked out Allegiant Air out of Allentown as well. They are also non-stop and fly directly into MCO.

 

[TaraPA]

I'm 20 min. from ABE & have used both AirTran & Allegiant to/from there. No complaints, other than that I wish they offered the non-stop flights 7 days a week. It always seems that the one day I must get home, they're not running, and I have to book a connecting flight on a major carrier at a much higher fare!

 

[dkoerner27]

I'm 20 min. from ABE & have used both AirTran & Allegiant to/from there. No complaints, other than that I wish they offered the non-stop flights 7 days a week. It always seems that the one day I must get home, they're not running, and I have to book a connecting flight on a major carrier at a much higher fare!

Agreed. They also need flights earlier in the day on Airtran. I don't mind leaving at 5pm but i would much rather leave early in the morning.

I live about 40 minutes from ABE and I can my leave house an hour before my flight leaves and make it on time. Back roads all the way though, any who lives there knows to avoid that raceway called Route 22!

 

[plutospup]

ABE is a great airport. Easy access, and very convenient parking. Weather can affect any airline. As for AirTran they are no worse, or better than any major airline, except their price is MUCH better! In my experience, their flight crews tend to be nicer than some other major carriers as well.