airtran vs. southwest

[2littleprincesses]

I found flights for each that are comparable. Which would you choose and why?

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

If I had a choice between the 2 - I'd go with Southwest. First checked bag is free.

I don't have a choice though. SW doesn't fly out of ATL.

 

[4Seasons]

Southwest.

TWO checked bags per person free and they don't have the tendency to change their flight times like Airtran does. The ONLY thing I like about Airtran is the option to pay a small fee to upgrade to business class during online checkin if space is available.

 

[Justsyd2]

I've flown both, and I'd be fine with either, although I personally felt like Airtran was a step above Southwest.

 

[hlkeck]

$15/bag on Airtran plus $6/ea if you want to 'assign' your seat if you're going with family. We fly airtran a lot and they do randomly change the flight times. We've never had any problems other than that, however.

 

[squirrel]

I'd go with the cheaper one (add in the cost of bags for Air Tran) and also the flight times.

I went with Delta this year as they were cheaper than both Air Tran and Southwest even with the baggage fees. I also got a direct flight, but would have given up that for a cheaper price.

 

[vsimeone]

I'd pick Southwest - because they DON'T fly through Atlanta!!!

Air Tran + Atlanta (or Laguardia) = you're not going anywhere!!!

Actually, I'm flying Air Tran to Orlando this weekend on a free roundtrip ticket that I got last year from getting stuck in Laguardia. It was a business trip. I really just like Southwest's planes, schedules, free baggage and the fact that they are ALWAYS on time MUCH better!

 

[Stumpy]

Having flown both, I can say that I found SW to be much more enjoyable. For one, I felt that SW had a little more room and found them to be much friendlier. Plus, the price on the bags and seats are correct. The last time we flew was Airtran and they split my wife and I up on both the departing and returning flight, yet there were seats available side-by-side. We did get them without having to pay the $6 simply by asking when we checked in, but if you don't want to take that risk then it can add up.

Of course, with that being said, you have to be sure to get there early to ensure you can sit together on SW.

 

[Shelby5514]

We just flew both last week and have come to the conclusion that we will always fly Southwest from now on. Actually the only reason we flew Airtran in the first place is because I had flown them last Sept for a last minute trip and ended up giving up my seat on a flight so I had a free RT. Anyhoo. I booked via phone for my free flight but when our return date changed I would have had to pay $15 to talk to someone to change the flight, PLUS the difference in flight cost for the return ($37), PLUS a $75 change fee, PLUS the baggage fee $15. It ended up cheaper for me to just buy a ticket on SW for $92 total. Airtran also changed our flight times twice, leaving us a 30 minute layover in Atlanta from an original 90 minute layover! That scared the crap out of me since we were flying on the last flight of the day and I didn't want to be stranded in ATL overnight.

We did cough up $20 for early bird check-in on SW and ended up with boarding passes A26 & 27!

Also, on SW we got peanuts AND Cheese Nips compared to the ONE measly biscuit on Airtran. Seriously, it was the size of a Club cracker!

Oh, and we both felt the SW plane had more leg room than the Airtran.

 

[fkj2]

Southwest.No charge for two bags AND...

the ability to change my flights without incurring any additional fees online.

While the flight attendants have been very nice on Airtran, they are equally as nice on SW, and the fares are generally lower on SW.

 

[ICF]

The best thing about Airtran is the free wifi and I believe they still have free Sirius radio to listen to.

The SW bags being free thing is nice though assuming the airfare cost is the same.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

We've had horrible experiences with AirTran and plan to NEVER fly with them - even if they are the cheapest carrier. DH swears that he will drive before flying with them.

SW on the other hand is amazing. GREAT customer service, GREAT flight attendants, and you just can't beat 2 free checked bags.

 

[2littleprincesses]

The difference is SW is $20 cheaper but a little more flying time on the way there, a little less on the way back. Can you sit together if you get there 2 hours early? I don't care if we are split up since there are 4 of us, but would like an adult with each child. I would think they would want us to sit that way.

 

[stacielee]

The difference is SW is $20 cheaper but a little more flying time on the way there, a little less on the way back. Can you sit together if you get there 2 hours early? I don't care if we are split up since there are 4 of us, but would like an adult with each child. I would think they would want us to sit that way.

It's not about getting there early, you have to check in online at exactly 24 hours before departure.

 

[2littleprincesses]

What about the return trip? We will not be able to check in online then.

 

[ssawka]

Southwest. Airtran has a bad habit of offering many flights, canceling those flights, and moving people around. If moving times wasn't bad enough, sometimes your direct flight will suddenly have a layover.

Also, Airtran requires you to pay to reserve a flight if you want to guarantee you all sit together. On Southwest boarding is first come, first served. So chances are you'll get to all sit together without the added fee.

The one negative about SW is that they do not allow check-in at the resort if you are using Magical Express.

 

[soonerfan2008]

I avoid Airtran when I can. ATL is a horrible airport--lots of delays. Plus, if your plans change, SW will just issue a travel voucher. Airtran charges hefty fees.

 

[2littleprincesses]

Southwest. Airtran has a bad habit of offering many flights, canceling those flights, and moving people around. If moving times wasn't bad enough, sometimes your direct flight will suddenly have a layover.

Also, Airtran requires you to pay to reserve a flight if you want to guarantee you all sit together. On Southwest boarding is first come, first served. So chances are you'll get to all sit together without the added fee.

The one negative about SW is that they do not allow check-in at the resort if you are using Magical Express.

I thought they did do ME now.
How does this work then? We are not bringing a laptop computer. How do I check in? Wait til we get to the airport?

 

[clanmcculloch]

If you won't be able to check yourselves in for your return flight then on SWA you can pay an extra $10pp for EBCI (Early Bird Check In). If you have family or friends who you can count on then they can always check you in at T-24 instead of paying the fee. I personally like EBCI but lots of people don't want to pay the fee and do just fine as long as they can get somebody else to check them in. If your reason for not being able to check yourselves in is that you won't have internet access then you can always go to the concierge at your resort or Guest Relations at a park and get a CM to check you in (you need to have your confirmation number with you). If you have a web enabled phone then you can even check yourselves in using your phone.

SWA has always participated in DME (DME really is airline independent). SWA is now also fully participating in RAC so you can even check you bags in at your resort.

ETA: My choice would be SWA hands down. With SWA you don't need to worry about your flight changing. With AT you never know how many times they'll change your flight. I'd need a HUGE savings to take a chance with AT.

 

[2littleprincesses]

THank you, thank you. I will have dh check us in the day before.