Airtran vs. SWA

[traci]

We have never flown Air Tran. How is it?

I am seeing a nonstop fare on AT for $99 each way from KC (early Sept). SWA fares aren't out for that time - this is the lowest I am finding though.

It's still early should I be patient and wait for SWA? I am hoping for even lower. $99 is high one way....

 

[rie'smom]

They are both about the same except form New Orleans,SW is nonstop.
I waited for cheap airfares from SW since Nov. SW is not offering many discounts from New Orleans. I finally used reward pts and booked through Delta-they were cheaper than either SW or AT

 

[HeatherC]

Have also flown them both and liked them both. I would go with whichever has the best deal and times that you want.

Hope this helps.
HeatherC

 

[drewc]

I agree, they are very similar in terms of aircraft, etc.

One thing I liked about Airtran is that even though they don't book your seat in advance, you can reserve seats with on-line check-in. If you stay on top of it (the 24 hour window that is), you can ensure that all your seats are together for your family. This saves you from having to do the ridiculous A,B,C queuing like you do at SW, which is one of the things I like least about SW.

 

[CarolMN]

Have flown Airtran - good service and newer aircraft.

That said, Airtran seems to make schedule changes more frequently than other airlines. If you book with them because you like the price, be prepared to have the scheduled times change - and not in your favor, either LOL.

I won't book too far in advance with them anymore because they ony have one non-stop flight between MSP & MCO and they change the schedule frequently.

 

[ptjohns]

That's exactly what we're doing. Good to know! How's Sun Country?
Thanks!!!

 

[CarolMN]

That's exactly what we're doing. Good to know! How's Sun Country?
Thanks!!!

I am a Sun Country fan - wonderful employees, clean new planes and they fly out of HHH (rather than the Main Terminal). Usually have good times for us. And I have not noticed any schedule changes after I book on them, either. (But they don't release their schedules out as far as Airtran, either, LOL).

Lately, though, SC prices haven't been all that great - I consider anything less than $250 RT for a non-stop between MSP & MCO to be a good price. Someone on these boards (might have been dudspizza, can't remember) told me about Hobbit Travel. If you book SC flights through their website, you usually can save at least $25 per RT ticket - even after you pay their $10/ticket fee. Check out their ad in the Sunday papers.

Our next trip isn't until the very end of October so I am going to wait - hoping for some SC or NWA sales.