AirTran/SW

[Jedi]

anyone have a guess on what will happen with pre-existing Airtran reservations once the SW takeover fully happens? I'm concerned about my May vacation, that I've already booked my seats on...also concerned about the "of size" policy a bit(i travel with smaller people so its never been an issue)....and I've been on the phone with Airtran and Southwest and noone has any answers...

 

[gmeh1]

anyone have a guess on what will happen with pre-existing Airtran reservations once the SW takeover fully happens? I'm concerned about my May vacation, that I've already booked my seats on...also concerned about the "of size" policy a bit(i travel with smaller people so its never been an issue)....and I've been on the phone with Airtran and Southwest and noone has any answers...

My best guess is that SWA's policies will be in full effect with the takeover.
From what little I have heard from SWA's employees, there will not be any seat assignments, it will be open boarding and the "size" policy will be identical to SWA's existing policy, which btw, most airlines have in their "rules" but, never enforced.

 

[Jestocost]

My best guess is that SWA's policies will be in full effect with the takeover.
From what little I have heard from SWA's employees, there will not be any seat assignments, it will be open boarding and the "size" policy will be identical to SWA's existing policy, which btw, most airlines have in their "rules" but, never enforced.

The goal is to merge the two under the existing SWA system and policies. As I understand it, the only potential obstacle right now is whether or not the SWA pilots' union approves the proposed plan for integrating the AirTran pilots into the seniority system. If the pilots don't approve the plan, SWA has said that they will hold off on merging operations and continue to operate AirTran as a separate brand. Not sure if that's just posturing for negotiation purposes or what the chances are of the plan passing or not passing. I guess if it plays out that AirTran is operating as a separate brand, then it's anyone's guess if there will be changes to align policies with SWA's or not.

 

[Brer Chump]

Unless they do something drastically different than what was done in the past, your flight will be the same and on Airtran's equipment if the merger is finalized before May. There should be no changes in scheduled flights.

 

[lylone]

I wonder about the "people of size" issue also. I didn't even know that the armrests in between the seats could even be raised so I guess that means I wouldn't be bothered. It does make me worry and wonder though.

 

[DebbieB]

I read that there may not be a full integration until 2014. I don't think you have to worry about May 2012. I doubt there will be a conversion of existing reservations,they are too different. At some point when they release schedules, more flights will be Southwest and less will be AirTran until AirTran is no longer released.

 

[Jedi]

where did you read the 2014 date from? everything I've been seeing is saying March 2012

 

[DebbieB]

where did you read the 2014 date from? everything I've been seeing is saying March 2012

http://www.businessweek.com/news/20...-stand-alone-airtran-if-pilot-vote-fails.html

Southwest has said it expects that full integration of the airlines would take about two years after receiving regulatory approval to operate as a single carrier in 2012’s first quarter. Pilots’ failure to agree on an integration plan can scuttle mergers or keep airlines from operating as a single carrier after a tie-up.

 

[Jedi]

thanks, less worried now

 

[dioxide45]

Good News: If you book an AirTran flight, you will fly on an AirTran branded aircraft and AirTran policies will be in place.

Bad News: Effective March 1, 2012, AirTran is adopting a customer of size policy that is pretty much the same as that of Southwest. Caused us to book a return flight with Delta for May instead of on AirTran.

http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2011/10/airtran-southwest-customer-of-size/553197/1

 

[dioxide45]

My best guess is that SWA's policies will be in full effect with the takeover.
From what little I have heard from SWA's employees, there will not be any seat assignments, it will be open boarding and the "size" policy will be identical to SWA's existing policy, which btw, most airlines have in their "rules" but, never enforced.

Actually most airlines don't have a customer of size policy in their contracts of carriage. It is just not really mentioned and they hope it isn't much of an issue. It can be delt with on a case by case basis if needed.

 

[vacationclub]

[Bad News: Effective March 1, 2012, AirTran is adopting a customer of size policy that is pretty much the same as that of Southwest. http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2011/10/airtran-southwest-customer-of-size/553197/1

Why is that bad news? I think it depends on your perspective. Some might say it's good news.

As far as contract of carriage, airlines can refuse to fly you for any reason. They can't possibly think of everything that might cause them to refuse service and then put it in a contract. People have been kicked off for talking too loud, saying certain words, wearing certain clothes.

As I understand it, the only potential obstacle right now is whether or not the SWA pilots' union approves the proposed plan for integrating the AirTran pilots into the seniority system. If the pilots don't approve the plan, SWA has said that they will hold off on merging operations and continue to operate AirTran as a separate brand. .

If this happens, will the Airtran brand still have the open seating or will everything stay as it is now as Airtran?

 

[dioxide45]

Why is that bad news? I think it depends on your perspective. Some might say it's good news.

Bad news for the OP since they were concerned about Southwest's customer of size policy.

 

[gmeh1]

Actually most airlines don't have a customer of size policy in their contracts of carriage. It is just not really mentioned and they hope it isn't much of an issue. It can be delt with on a case by case basis if needed.

Continental, United, Southwest, Delta, Jet Blue, Air France and Alaska do have rules about this.

The FAA has a rule: If you cannot close the seatbelt after you get an extension for the seat belt, you cannot fly, which airlines can invoke in lieu of an official policy.

I have nothing against passengers of size, but, I can honestly tell you I do not wish to fly "cheek to cheek" with someone I do not know.

 

[dioxide45]

Continental, United, Southwest, Delta, Jet Blue, Air France and Alaska do have rules about this.

The FAA has a rule: If you cannot close the seatbelt after you get an extension for the seat belt, you cannot fly, which airlines can invoke in lieu of an official policy.

Merely being able to fasten a seat belt with an extension doesn't mean a lot when it comes to this policy. There are many people that would be considered a customer of size that can easily fasten a belt without an extension. Extension are huge and could likely fit around someone that weights up to 600lbs.

I have nothing against passengers of size, but, I can honestly tell you I do not wish to fly "cheek to cheek" with someone I do not know.

Trust me, those customers of size really don't wish to sit cheek to cheek with you either. Given the size of airplane seats, it is pretty much unavoidable to not sit close to someone you don't know. Regardless of anyone's size.

 

[gmeh1]

Merely being able to fasten a seat belt with an extension doesn't mean a lot when it comes to this policy. There are many people that would be considered a customer of size that can easily fasten a belt without an extension. Extension are huge and could likely fit around someone that weights up to 600lbs.



Trust me, those customers of size really don't wish to sit cheek to cheek with you either. Given the size of airplane seats, it is pretty much unavoidable to not sit close to someone you don't know. Regardless of anyone's size.

Interesting information. Thanks.