AirTran questions

[Dan Murphy]

I live 10 minutes from O'Hare but for many years have traveled about an hour north, to Milwaukee, to fly Midwest Airlines. For most of those years it has been a first class airline at coach prices. Over the past two years, and in the coming months, it has become, and will continue to be a shadow of its former self.

I still prefer Milwaukee's Mitchell Field over O'Hare, smaller, easy access. AirTran recently started flying out of there. How has your experience been with AirTran? Good, bad? Do they have anything that makes them a standout, or are they just another one of those still flying, pack the people in, charge the various fees, hope to stay in business?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[dioxide45]

Do they have anything that makes them a standout, or are they just another one of those still flying, pack the people in, charge the various fees, hope to stay in business?

Thanks,

Dan

Nothing to really make them stand out. We fly them almost exclusively when flying to Orlando. They have convenient schedules and good prices.

They pack the people in, charge extra fees, but surprisingly they posted a second quarter profit this year. So the hoping to stay in business may not be true.

 

[Missytara]

Both Southwest and Airtran are the only two airlines left that fly non-stop to Orlando from BWI.

I have done Airtran, because I prefer using the RAC when checking out of the resort. I have flown Southwest once and every other time, I have flown Airtran. I really like them; and the last two times I have flown, even with the baggage fees; the cost was lower than Southwest.

 

[Inkmahm]

I switched to AirTran out of Milwaukee when Midwest canceled or moved all my flights several years ago. I haven't flown Midwest since (although I'm trying them again next March).

AirTran has a great business class which we use each trip. We upgrade either with cash or credits from previous flights.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I live 10 minutes from O'Hare but for many years have traveled about an hour north, to Milwaukee, to fly Midwest Airlines. For most of those years it has been a first class airline at coach prices. Over the past two years, and in the coming months, it has become, and will continue to be a shadow of its former self.

I still prefer Milwaukee's Mitchell Field over O'Hare, smaller, easy access. AirTran recently started flying out of there. How has your experience been with AirTran? Good, bad? Do they have anything that makes them a standout, or are they just another one of those still flying, pack the people in, charge the various fees, hope to stay in business?

Thanks,

Dan

Hello fellow Chicagoian....

We are flying Airtran for the first time in December. We normally use AA, but we found the prices to be a lot cheaper so we booked. The only problem I am having with Airtran, right now, is that they constantly keep changing our flight times, however, it has always been in our favor....we have never dealt with flight changes when we flew AA, and since I have read many posts where they changed flights from a non-stop to a 1-stop flight (something I cannot handle) I am a bit nervous that it will happen to us. One question....why are you flying out of Milwaukee? Midway handles Airtran flights, is Milwaukee cheaper to fly out of? Just curious.

 

[pumba]

Air tran was our choice the last two visits to the House of the Mouse......last May and two weeks ago.....We were surprised at the price out of Maine (good) and even with paying for picking our seats and luggage charge....it was still cheaper........We, however, did not have to pay for our beverage or cookies....They were on time and we arrived even earlier then expected...I say give them a try.....

 

[TMB1203]

Hi there. I live in N. Illinois and normally fly from MKE using Airtran.
I prefer to drive to MKE than MDW-easier drive, closer etc.
We have never had any issues with Airtran. They are a no frills airline-but the flight staff has always been very nice and usually don't have a problem with delays.

Airtran has changed our flights before (I tend to book them early when I see a price that I like), but they are very accomodating on finding a new flight for you if the change doesn't work for you.

I also like Airtran because of the RAC option once we are at WDW.

 

[Wis2InTink]

Hello! I also prefer flying out of MKE, even though I have since moved to NW Indiana (still have family and friends there, so we get rides to the airport). Parking is so much cheaper and less congested than at Midway - have done both the past year. We flew AirTran when Midwest cancelled our flight last October (six of us)! It worked out well and we purchased the assigned seats. We are using Southwest MKE to MCO in December, but also signed up for the EB check-in. The Midwest site is now showing 2 direct flights to MCO; but using Frontier, with some good rates.

 

[DVCBELLE]

Quik tip - don't pay for your seat assigments - if you go through Kayak.com to book then your seat assigment fees are waived.

We love Airtran - their prices are very reasonable. If you wait until the 24 hour mark you can usually upgrade to business class for $49 and then they waive your baggage fees.

They do tend to change their schedule a lot but if they do - they are VERY accomodating!

 

[sln88]

Quik tip - don't pay for your seat assigments - if you go through Kayak.com to book then your seat assigment fees are waived.

We love Airtran - their prices are very reasonable. If you wait until the 24 hour mark you can usually upgrade to business class for $49 and then they waive your baggage fees.

They do tend to change their schedule a lot but if they do - they are VERY accomodating!

if you go through kayak can you use the airtran coupon?

 

[Chelley00]

if you go through kayak can you use the airtran coupon?

yes. Just go to kayak.com, check the flight then click on Airtran. It will take you directly to their site, then you can use the coupon when you check out.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Great feedback, everyone. I really appreciate it.

Hello fellow Chicagoian........One question....why are you flying out of Milwaukee? Midway handles Airtran flights, is Milwaukee cheaper to fly out of? Just curious.

I live right near O'Hare, and compared to Midway, Milwaukee is much better, distance and congestion. And, as said above, even though just a few minutes from O'Hare, I still much prefer Milwaukee. I usually have an early AM flight, so drive up the night before, stay at the Wyndham across the street overnight. In the AM< they drive me over, when i return, I call them to pick me up and drop me at my car. Works great.

Quik tip - don't pay for your seat assigments - if you go through Kayak.com to book then your seat assigment fees are waived.

We love Airtran - their prices are very reasonable. If you wait until the 24 hour mark you can usually upgrade to business class for $49 and then they waive your baggage fees....

Are you booking regular coach now and then upgrading just before flying time?

yes. Just go to kayak.com, check the flight then click on Airtran. It will take you directly to their site, then you can use the coupon when you check out.

Good tip. That would not include exit row, correct?


Again, thanks everyone.

 

[DVCBELLE]

Dan,

I have never done the upgrade since there are usually 4 of us - but yes - that is how it works. You can wait until the 24 hour mark and as long as the business class seats are available then you can pay then to upgrade. It is much cheaper than buying the business class ahead of time but there is the risk that it would not be available.

 

[dioxide45]

We love Airtran - their prices are very reasonable. If you wait until the 24 hour mark you can usually upgrade to business class for $49 and then they waive your baggage fees.

Actually the fee varies. It can be as low as $49 or as high as $99. Here is the link with the details.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks again.

Another thought/question....

If I reserved and paid additional $20 per flight for exit row seating, and then 24 hours before flight time tried for the business upgrade, can that be done? And if so, would I get a credit for the $20 and just pay the difference. The price from MKE to MCO is $69, so a net $49 more, in addition to what I already paid for the exit row?

Leg room is quite important, 6' 6" here.

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks again.

Another thought/question....

If I reserved and paid additional $20 per flight for exit row seating, and then 24 hours before flight time tried for the business upgrade, can that be done? And if so, would I get a credit for the $20 and just pay the difference. The price from MKE to MCO is $69, so a net $49 more, in addition to what I already paid for the exit row?

Leg room is quite important, 6' 6" here.

I don't think so, but you would probably have to ask AirTran about that. You don't get any type of credit when you go from preselected seats up to business class.

 

[wdwfan]

I'm flying airtran for the first time again in years. My question is, when I check in at the 24 hour mark, do I check in for the purpose of printing my boarding passes although I already paid for my seating assignment? Why do I still need to check in 24 hours before the flight? ( I usually fly Southwest.) Thank you!

 

[kristenrice]

I don't think so, but you would probably have to ask AirTran about that. You don't get any type of credit when you go from preselected seats up to business class.

Actually, when we upgraded from pre-selected coach seats to BC, we had our seat assignment fee refunded. My credit card had a charge for $276 followed by a credit for $24. It might have been something else, but it appeared to be a credit for our four pre-selected seats.

 

[dioxide45]

I'm flying airtran for the first time again in years. My question is, when I check in at the 24 hour mark, do I check in for the purpose of printing my boarding passes although I already paid for my seating assignment? Why do I still need to check in 24 hours before the flight? ( I usually fly Southwest.) Thank you!

The main purpose is to print your boarding passes since you already have preassigned seats. You can also pay for your additional checked bags when checking in online. Then when you get to the airport you just check your bag and no need to worry about payment at that time.

 

[tam626]

The main purpose is to print your boarding passes since you already have preassigned seats. You can also pay for your additional checked bags when checking in online. Then when you get to the airport you just check your bag and no need to worry about payment at that time.

Thanks, I had the same question. We leave in two days & was'nt sure whether to do the online check in.