AirTran vs. Southwest?

[lorivegas]

We always use Southwest, but unfortunately, our flight home has to be on AirTran. We booked on Southwest.com, so I know there are no luggage fees, but WHAT are the differences in seat comfort or size? ( I know,... southwest seats arent comfy either), but Ive heard AirTran seats and leg room are even MORE uncomfortable!?OH NO ! I really hate to pay MORE money, just to make sure I can sit with my husband or to possibly get a roomier aisle seat.. but the flight times with NON-stops for our flight home, only worked out with AirTran. It is getting close to our trip and Im now getting nervous! Also, do we have to pay for the pop or munchies on AirTran that Southwest offers for free? Anyone who has flown with AirTran recently , please let me know what you thoughts THANKS A BUNCH!

 

[mkarizona]

We flew AirTran from Dayton to Orlando last September, also booked through Southwest. We were assigned aisle seats on different rows so when we checked in we asked it there were two seats available together. We were told apologetically that the only two seats together were in the last row. We usually fly Southwest and we prefer the back of the plane so that sounded fine. Turned out that the back row had no windows. All I could think was "there are no windows and no doors" for most of the flight. I didn't find the seats or legroom uncomfortable but that might have been because I was so focused on the lack of windows. Snacks and soda were free but the selection was more limited than on Southwest. Despite our experience I don't think there is anything to fear about AirTran but I would be cautious about accepting seats in the back row.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Aisle seats are not roomier than other seats. Did you mean exit row seats? Southwest seats have more pitch than AirTran seats, but AirTran seats are one inch wider. You can look this up on seatguru.com.

You can get information about snack/beverage service on AirTran's web site.

 

[DebbieB]

We flew AirTran from Dayton to Orlando last September, also booked through Southwest. We were assigned aisle seats on different rows so when we checked in we asked it there were two seats available together. We were told apologetically that the only two seats together were in the last row. We usually fly Southwest and we prefer the back of the plane so that sounded fine. Turned out that the back row had no windows. All I could think was "there are no windows and no doors" for most of the flight. I didn't find the seats or legroom uncomfortable but that might have been because I was so focused on the lack of windows. Snacks and soda were free but the selection was more limited than on Southwest. Despite our experience I don't think there is anything to fear about AirTran but I would be cautious about accepting seats in the back row.

The reason there were no windows was the 717 has the engines mounted in the back, right outside where those windows would be. They also fly 737's, which would have the engines on the wing.

Lorivegas, I would pay for seat assignments in advance if you want to sit together.

 

[MichaelaF]

OP, we are in the same position as you - We are flying from Indianapolis to Orlando and it just makes the most sense for us to fly nonstop with a toddler...so we're stuck with AirTran as well. Two of my good friends have flown AirTran multiple times and they have not had good experiences - but they were primarily customer service-related, not seat size or comfort. The thing about SWA, in my experience, is that even when they make mistakes, they always treat you well and try to make it up to you. (I recognize not everyone feels that way about them.) From what I've been told, AirTran hasn't caught on to the SWA way yet. I'm not sure why. At any rate, I'll just fly them and be thankful I'm not on Delta!

 

[DebbieB]

OP, we are in the same position as you - We are flying from Indianapolis to Orlando and it just makes the most sense for us to fly nonstop with a toddler...so we're stuck with AirTran as well. Two of my good friends have flown AirTran multiple times and they have not had good experiences - but they were primarily customer service-related, not seat size or comfort. The thing about SWA, in my experience, is that even when they make mistakes, they always treat you well and try to make it up to you. (I recognize not everyone feels that way about them.) From what I've been told, AirTran hasn't caught on to the SWA way yet. I'm not sure why. At any rate, I'll just fly them and be thankful I'm not on Delta!

AirTran's last flight is December 28 and will no longer exist after that.

Back to the no windows post above, they are subleasing the 717's to Delta, so that will not be an issue with Southwest. SW will remain all 737 aircraft.

 

[lorivegas]

Are you referring to the seat recline? Hmm... if seats are similar, Im not too worried, but this NOT sitting together is not cool. Why is AirTran not flying with Southwest, anymore? We are flying out of Chicago, if this makes a difference. (Although the leg I mentioned for this trip is out of Orlando). Either way, thanks to all who responded !

 

[DebbieB]

Are you referring to the seat recline? Hmm... if seats are similar, Im not too worried, but this NOT sitting together is not cool. Why is AirTran not flying with Southwest, anymore? We are flying out of Chicago, if this makes a difference. (Although the leg I mentioned for this trip is out of Orlando). Either way, thanks to all who responded !

Pitch is the distance between one seat and the one in front of it.

Southwest bought AirTran and is phasing them out. No sense running them separately. They kept what they wanted (Atlanta hub) and got rid of what was not profitable (smaller AirTran cities). Less competition means they can charge higher fares. Just like Delta bought Northwest, United bought Continental, USAirways bought America West (and now they are merging with American).

 

[minniemouse803]

Are you referring to the seat recline? Hmm... if seats are similar, Im not too worried, but this NOT sitting together is not cool. Why is AirTran not flying with Southwest, anymore? We are flying out of Chicago, if this makes a difference. (Although the leg I mentioned for this trip is out of Orlando). Either way, thanks to all who responded !

We flew from Chicago to Orlando and back just last week on AirTran (which we purchased through Southwest on points). I prefer SW to AirTran but the times and prices had us going with the AirTran flights.

We were a group of 4 adults and when we checked in at the 24 hour mark for our flight we were assigned different seats all around the airplane. For both our trip there and back, we were able to go up to the agent at the gate and all get exit row seating together with no problem. I thought the seats were roomy and I could stretch my legs out. However, I don't know what a regular seat is like.

We were offered a package of cookies as a snack and then a drink (water, coke, juice, etc). It was free and you could purchase alcohol. We had free alcoholic drink coupons from Southwest but they couldn't be used on the AirTran flights.

I was very worried about not sitting together so I bought $10 seats on the flight there for my husband and I so we would at least be together. I didn't buy return seats because I planned to do it later in the week but once I checked in for my outgoing flight I no longer had the option to purchase seats for the flight back a week later. Fortunately, we were able to get seats together on the way back and then "upgraded" to exit row for free. My thoughts would be to buy them ahead of time if you want the guarantee of sitting together but if you are willing to take the chance, you can ask at the gate and hopefully get together in the exit row for free!

 

[lorivegas]

Thank you so much for your quick reply! So the pitch will mean that the seat in front of us will be "CLOSER to my face".... yikes! Oh well, thats what we get with "cheaper " airlines... and i say that statement "loosely"... flights are NOT cheap anymore! Honestly, you answered all my ?'s... thanks again! LOVE THESE BOARDS and the AWESOME PEOPLE!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Thank you so much for your quick reply! So the pitch will mean that the seat in front of us will be "CLOSER to my face"....

Yes, especially if the person in front of you chooses to recline all the way!

 

[HarkiQuinn]

When we flew out of MDW on AirTran, we saw that each side of the carrier had a different number of seats per row. I think it was two seats on the right side and three on the left side.

One more thing to note. Our flight was oversold by two seats and they plane would not depart until it was settled.

 

[DebbieB]

When we flew out of MDW on AirTran, we saw that each side of the carrier had a different number of seats per row. I think it was two seats on the right side and three on the left side.

One more thing to note. Our flight was oversold by two seats and they plane would not depart until it was settled.

That's a 717, the model they are subleasing to Delta. Those will be gone when the merger is complete at the end of the year.

 

[HarkiQuinn]

That's a 717, the model they are subleasing to Delta. Those will be gone when the merger is complete at the end of the year.

Oh okay! And looking at your previous post, it looks like AirTran won't exist after December, so all flights will be Southwest again?

 

[DebbieB]

Oh okay! And looking at your previous post, it looks like AirTran won't exist after December, so all flights will be Southwest again?

yes

For flights 11/1/14 or after, you have to use the SW website.

 

[jimandami]

One other thing to be aware of is if you are flying a mixed SWA/AT itinerary, you probably will not be able to check your luggage at your resort. This happened to many people on this board and has something to do with the computer system. You may have to take your bags on ME with you (assuming you are using ME) and check them at the airport.

 

[ocalla]

I just realized that I am booked on AirTran as I was trying to add EArly Bird checkin to my ticket

When I noticed the "Seat Assignment" and clicked on it, I see where they charge you to pick your seats??

If I don't pick our seats, will they just seat us anywhere?

 

[ocalla]

Also: Can I use DME luggage check on departure if I am on AirTran?

 

[jimandami]

I just realized that I am booked on AirTran as I was trying to add EArly Bird checkin to my ticket

When I noticed the "Seat Assignment" and clicked on it, I see where they charge you to pick your seats??

If I don't pick our seats, will they just seat us anywhere?

When we flew AT via SW, we were assigned a seat when we checked in online at 24 hours. We were not seated together but were able to change at the gate. As far as ME, you can definitely use it on the way (obviously) and it varies whether you can check your luggage at the resort. I think if both your flights are AT, there isn't a problem. It's when one flight is SW and one is AT that the computers get messed up.