Airtran - where to sit?

[kjpotter]

I am reserving seats for my trip on airtran. It will be myself and my DDs age 6 and 2. It will be their first flight. I'm debating about where to select a seat. Is there one section that is quieter? Should I sit near the back so that we are close to the bathroom? (DD2 is potty trained).

Thoughts?

 

[ancestry]

It really is your choice on where you think you would be comfortable. What I have found with my children is that it helps to be closer to a restroom for any flight over an hour because they will definitely have to use the restroom. I have also found that my children like to sit near the window and will often argue with each other to get the window seat.

I personally like the aisle seat because I am tall and have really long legs. Having the isle helps me to be able to stretch from time to time.

However if you sit near the front of the plane you will get off much quicker when you land. If you are at the back you have to wait until everyone else exits the plane which can seem like a very long time if you are anxious or excited. For kids this wait can seem like an eternity.

Different airplanes have different configurations. You didn't indicate what type of plane you are flying on or out of which airport so I'm not sure if you will have two seats together in a row or three (or some other configuration). From my home airport (PWM - Portland, ME) most of the planes only have two seats together.

There really isn't a quieter spot in my opinion on a plane. It all seems the same to me especially after take off.

 

[dawnmommy]

I recommend checking out seatguru.com - they describe the best seats on pretty much every airplane. you can also see the layout to see where bathrooms are, etc. I tend to think the back of the plane is louder.

as the other poster said, some routes are 737s (with 3 seats on each side) and others are 717s (2 seats on one side and 3 on the other). airtran should list which plane you'll have (although they'll switch between the two depending on how full the flight is)

 

[skiingfast]

Like PP says check www.setguru.com.

Also the rear of the plane is definitly louder from hearing the engine exhaust. Generally infront of the wing is best. Airtran also has some planes with engines on the rear of the plane which are extra loud because of being right out the windows. I wouldn't say these are less comfortable but really annoying to sit by.

I would make sure they have a full window by the seat for the kids, seatguru will tell you this. There is also a bathroom in the front of airtran plains as well.

If you have to change plains I would sit close to the front just so you can get off and to the next gate easily.

 

[Flipper]

I like sitting towards the front of the plane. With little ones, you will want to get off as soon as you land. We sat in row 12 on the way to MCO and row 24 on the way home. The kids could not wait to get off the plane, especially when arriving in Orlando!

 

[Jillpie]

I just got back from flying Airtran from Bos to MCO. Ended up with 2 free RT tickets from being bumped on the way home, very nice. Anyway, I agree, sit at the front in zone 1. We were zone 3, and ended up having to check our carry on, on the way down. Big bummer. Turns out other people hogged the space up above, and there was none left for zone 3 people. Otherwise, loved the airline!

 

[Missytara]

I just got back from flying Airtran from Bos to MCO. We were zone 3, and ended up having to check our carry on, on the way down. Big bummer. Turns out other people hogged the space up above, and there was none left for zone 3 people. Otherwise, loved the airline!

This is happening on every airline that charges for checked baggage, not just Airtran. The nice part is that you don't get charged for having to gate check a bag, but the person who took up the space also got away without paying for a checked bag as well.

Unfortunately, people are now trying to bring everything on the plane they think they can get away with.

 

[kjpotter]

Ok, another question. If you sit in Zone 1, do you use the restrooms in the back of the plane? I"m guessing that business class doesn't want you using their restroom.

I have this fear of there being twenty rows and a drink cart between a two year old and the bathroom.

We are flying non-stop on a plane with the 3-2 configuration.

 

[dioxide45]

Ok, another question. If you sit in Zone 1, do you use the restrooms in the back of the plane? I"m guessing that business class doesn't want you using their restroom.

You use the restroom that you can get to at that given time. 80% of the flight the isle will be blocked by the service cart. Use whichever restroom is not blocked. There is no restriction on this on AT flights.

 

[dioxide45]

I am reserving seats for my trip on airtran. It will be myself and my DDs age 6 and 2. It will be their first flight. I'm debating about where to select a seat. Is there one section that is quieter? Should I sit near the back so that we are close to the bathroom? (DD2 is potty trained).

Thoughts?

Be aware that seats at the front of the plane will cost more to pre-select than those at the back. AirTran has three tiers of pricing, $15, $13, and $6.