AirTran question

[BuzzLiteyear]

If you purchase the advance seating ($6) option, can you attempt to select the "first to board ($13/$15) seats" at the 24 hour mark if they are still available?

 

[aubriee]

If you prepay for those $13.00/$15.00 seats, you will be guaranteed Boarding Zone 1. However, if you wait until the 24 hour mark and go in and get them for free you will be in Boarding Zone 7. I've seen this many times. I always paid for those $13.00/$15.00 seats as soon as I booked my flight, because it is important to me to have an aisle seat close to the front and overhead space for my carry on. Due to Air Tran pulling out of Dallas last Nov, I can no longer fly them, but when I did, every single flight I'd hear someone arguing with the gate agent that they should be in Boarding Zone 1, because they were in those first fourteen rows or so. I can't count the number of times I've heard the gate agent explaining that you get Boarding Zone 1 only if you prepay for those front seats. If you wait until the 24 hour mark, you get them for free, but the trade off is, you get Boarding zone 7 and more than likely will have to gate check your carry on, because everyone fills those front bins first. In fact, the last time I flew Air Tran (last fall) I was sitting/talking to a lady next to me in the terminal. I boarded with my Boarding Zone 1 pass and was surprised a little while later when she sat down right next to me. She told me she changed her seat at the 24 hour mark, hoping for Boarding Zone 1 and didn't realize you didn't get it unless you actually paid for those seats. Instead if you choose for free at the 24 hour mark, you get stuck in the very last boarding zone.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Thanks, that's good to know. Another question...Do all "pre-payers" board before free seats?

 

[aubriee]

Thanks, that's good to know. Another question...Do all "pre-payers" board before free seats?

No, just the people who prepay for those $13.00/$15.00 seats close to the front.

 

[CanadianPaco]

No preloading unfortunately. But we do love Air Tran!

 

[mickeyinjune]

When you book the $6 pre paid seats and you get a seat number is that the actual seat you will get? When do you gt to board?

 

[KrazeeK120]

When you book the $6 pre paid seats and you get a seat number is that the actual seat you will get? When do you gt to board?

If you pay the $6 to pick your seat, you are picking the seat you will actually have on the plane.

Boarding zone depends on where your seat is (unless you've bought the $13/$15 seats as described in the prior posts).

 

[jm106]

I came here for Airtran seats question so this was helpful.

If I dont book any seats and wait, at 24 hours its free to choose seats? I have not picked seats but regularly check to see a lot still open. We dont care where we sit, only that Dh and I each get a seat with kids (so he with 1 and me with other but not necessarily together.) Is it too risky to wait, we are less then a month. Should I expect it to start filling or can I wait it out? Just seems so silly to pay for this but of course we cant leave our 4 year old to sit alone either.
TIA

 

[jennyjinx3]

I came here for Airtran seats question so this was helpful.

If I dont book any seats and wait, at 24 hours its free to choose seats? I have not picked seats but regularly check to see a lot still open. We dont care where we sit, only that Dh and I each get a seat with kids (so he with 1 and me with other but not necessarily together.) Is it too risky to wait, we are less then a month. Should I expect it to start filling or can I wait it out? Just seems so silly to pay for this but of course we cant leave our 4 year old to sit alone either.
TIA

Not sure about your question but I pre paid for the seats, with 3 DD, we can't leave it to chance. I say for the small fee if it gives you peace of mind do it now.

 

[aubriee]

I came here for Airtran seats question so this was helpful.

If I dont book any seats and wait, at 24 hours its free to choose seats? I have not picked seats but regularly check to see a lot still open. We dont care where we sit, only that Dh and I each get a seat with kids (so he with 1 and me with other but not necessarily together.) Is it too risky to wait, we are less then a month. Should I expect it to start filling or can I wait it out? Just seems so silly to pay for this but of course we cant leave our 4 year old to sit alone either.
TIA

I would prepay now. Those planes usually fly full now. There may be alot of other people doing the same thing you are (waiting until the 24 hour mark). Every single Air Tran flight I flew the last couple of years, I saw some family arguing with the gate agent that they had to move people around so they could sit with their kids. Every single time the parent would be arguing they didn't pay for their seats because they didn't think Air Tran would seperate them from their kids. Every single time the GA would tell them Air Tran did not seperate them from their kids, they made that choice when they chose not to pay for their seats. Most people on that plane probably chose to pay for their seats and now days are not as likely to give them up for a family who chose not to pay. Do a search here on the DIS and you will find lots of posts about families being seperated. Here's a few:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2624648&highlight=air+tran+seating

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2574014&highlight=air+tran+seating

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2535237&highlight=air+tran+seating

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2413982&highlight=air+tran+seating[/QUOTE]

 

[goofy4tink]

I've been flying AirTran a lot this past winter/spring. I have to agree..if you want to be seated together, pay for advance seating!! I usually pay for my seat, in advance (the $6 fee) and then choose a seat about 3/4 rows from the rear of the plane. I sit and watch as those who have prepaid board, find their seats and get settled. Then, on come the families that decided to wait until the last minute. And guess what??? On a lot of those flights there was an issue finding two seats together!!! Don't get me wrong..I had flights that weren't close to full..but those didn't seem to have a lot of family groups on them. Not as popular with families I suppose. But...those flights that had families??? Very crowded.

 

[jm106]

Ok thanks. I will pre pay.Dont care where we sit, just that I have yds close(although it would be more relaxing if he was far) I trust that it happens but thanks for the links anyway. Helpful info.
So is there a "good" place to sit? I really have no preference, never really thought much about where we sat on flights.