Airtran seating ?

[MyThreeKids123]

I just purchased my families seats through airtran. SWA was so tempting with its free baggage, but I know my 2 kids would lose it if they couldn't sit with one of us. I was planning on purchasing the $6 seats, but only the back rows 25-28 are available, or I can pay $13 for rows 15 or 16. I have only ever flown in one of the rows closer to the front, and was wondering how the back rows are. Are the back rows load/uncomfortable enough that I should pay the extra and be up front? I don't care as much about the priority boarding, as this will be a nonstop flight and if our carryons were to end up below the plane I don't really think I would mind . Any opinions on this? TIA

 

[sonnyjane]

I've never noticed any difference between seats in front and seats in back. I just don't like the very last row bc it's right by the bathroom.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The actual seats in these rows are the same. You can check seatguru.com for specifications:

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/AirTran_Airways/information.php

 

[tinkermommyof3]

We flew Airtran for years and always paid for seats. We only bought the $6.00 seats (there are five of us). We did not mind back of plane. There were times $6.00 seats bought us middle of plane. I guess it just depends. I would not choose back row as you cannot recline. We just booked an Airtran Flight through SW. We will see how it goes...

 

[mrg013]

I don't think there's anything to be worried about with the back of the plane, other than the very last row, as others have mentioned. Some people feel that the back of the plane is louder, since it's closer to the engines, but I've never really noticed that on AirTran, or any other airline. I do prefer the front, but simply for the fact that you get off of the plane more quickly upon arrival.

We're flying AirTran on an upcoming trip and had a similar experience, where we wanted to reserve $6 seats, but all that was available was Row 24 and above. We took Row 24, but I've noticed that a couple of rows in the $13 section are still fully open. I'm going to keep monitoring it, because I know from past experience that at the 24 hour mark, they open up the $13 seats to everyone for free (you just don't get the benefit of boarding in Zone 1 if you get them for free at the 24 hour mark). So there is a possibility of moving yourselves closer to the front for free if those seats are still open at that point.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I don't mind the back rows, except for the very back. It is easier for me to tell when the bathroom is open!

 

[Disneylover99]

We always book the $6 seats near the back. They seem fine to me!

 

[kaytieeldr]

The back of the plane lands first.
All seats in coach are the same size on AirTran.
The pitch (distance) between all rows except exit rows in coach is the same on AirTran.

 

[delilah]

We usually travel Airtran. The only problem that I have had with Airtran (and it is not really a problem, if you plan ahead), is that they tend to not have enough space in the overhead compartment. But, the last several times we have flown on Airtran, they will offer, at the gate, to gate check your carry on for free. Usually, what I have in my carry on is my camera, purse, and clothes for the first 24 hours. So, I pack my carry on so that I can remove the purse and camera bag, which will fit in the underseat area, and then, sometimes, they let people with only items that will not go in the overhead bins board between the business class/people with small children and those who have stuff to go in the overhead bin.

 

[maxiesmom]

The last time we flew Air Tran we had seats near the back, and it did seem a bit noisy to me. I just turned my MP3 player on as soon as I could, and I was fine.

As a previous poster pointed out, Air Tran will many times offer to check bags at the gate for free. We are not talking gate checking, but checking them through. Last time I was prepared and had a yellow DME tag along with me, and had divided up my bags so that one didn't have anything valuable in it. When they announced they were checking bags I just slapped my yellow tag on and handed it over. The gate agent laughed at me for being so prepared, but it was awesome!

 

[Henlady]

We flew Airtran on Sun 5/5, in row 28. The seat size was fine. But it was pretty noisy. It was a smaller plane with a 2 seat/aisle/3 seat configuration. After a bit you got used to the noise.