airtran vs. southwest

[Evi]

I'd try southwest because last trip to disney we did airtran and had a bad experience with delays on both legs of out trip.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

Taking flights on both ... I would say Southwest!

They are cleaner and newer. The only reason we took AirTran was for the direct flight down to Disney. It was exactly what we wanted at the time.

 

[MELSMICE]

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?

You can take ME if you are flying on SW. Some resorts now have resort check in when you fly SW also. I know that the GF does, OKW does not (that's only because we stayed at those 2 resorts a few weeks ago!) I was told a few resorts are trying SW & resort check in.

I would choose SW over Air Tran. With SW you can change your flights with no fees. If the fare goes down, you get a credit (to be used within a year). I have never had SW change my flight times, but every time I have flown Air Tran my flight time gets changed.

No baggage fees with SW - there are baggage fees with Air Tran.

If you can't do it yourself or get someone else to check you in for your return flight home, then I'd pay the additional $10 each for the EBCI. Actually, I might do that next time regardless. Our flight this past Sat. was at 11:15 a.m. My check in "went through" at 11:14 & we were already in the "B" grouping. Obviously, a lot of people use the EBCI, especially when flying from Orlando!!!

 

[MELSMICE]

SWA is now also fully participating in RAC so you can even check you bags in at your resort.

Not every resort is participating yet.

 

[GreyGooseCosmo]

If you'd have asked me a month ago, I'd have said that SWA was the devil for what they did to Kevin Smith.

However, I've recently been treated to AirTran's schedule changes (and the resulting "customer service" ... note the sarcasm), and they're officially off my list. I still have $300 worth of dispute with them (they did not properly credit my card when they processed the refund when I cancelled the miserable flights they rebooked me after cancelling my initial selection).

I'd rather roll the dice with SWA than endure more BS from AirTran.

 

[amylynne01]

When I flew home from FL in January 09, CBR was not particpating in Southwest check in at the resort. But we were able to go to Guest Services at the park we went to that morning (MK I think), and they checked us in online. We were there like 24hrs 5min before our flight, and the awesome guest service lady got us A18 and A19!

So if your resort is not doing Southwest checking, definitely check with Guest Services in the parks!!

 

[MELSMICE]

If you'd have asked me a month ago, I'd have said that SWA was the devil for what they did to Kevin Smith.

However, I've recently been treated to AirTran's schedule changes (and the resulting "customer service" ... note the sarcasm), and they're officially off my list. I still have $300 worth of dispute with them (they did not properly credit my card when they processed the refund when I cancelled the miserable flights they rebooked me after cancelling my initial selection).

I'd rather roll the dice with SWA than endure more BS from AirTran.

Kind of how I feel about Air Tran.

When I flew home from FL in January 09, CBR was not particpating in Southwest check in at the resort. But we were able to go to Guest Services at the park we went to that morning (MK I think), and they checked us in online. We were there like 24hrs 5min before our flight, and the awesome guest service lady got us A18 and A19!

So if your resort is not doing Southwest checking, definitely check with Guest Services in the parks!!

Even if they don't do check in at the resort, you can go to front desk or concierge & they will check you in.

 

[sgrabin]

Airtran charges for checked bags, plus they will split up a family unless you pay extra for seat choice! Ridiculous

 

[MarilIncredible]

If you'd have asked me a month ago, I'd have said that SWA was the devil for what they did to Kevin Smith.

However, I've recently been treated to AirTran's schedule changes (and the resulting "customer service" ... note the sarcasm), and they're officially off my list. I still have $300 worth of dispute with them (they did not properly credit my card when they processed the refund when I cancelled the miserable flights they rebooked me after cancelling my initial selection).

I'd rather roll the dice with SWA than endure more BS from AirTran.

I really think about 95% of his fuss was just to get attention for the movie he directed - some cop comedy - that was about to come out in theaters.

Also, someone mentioned a "small" fee to upgrade to business class on Airtran. I guess if you consider $60 per person on a 2-hour flight from Orlando to Baltimore a "small" fee, then I'd agree, but to me, that was just ridiculous for such a short flight.