Airtran????

[ShootingStarMom2]

I called AirTran today to ask them about seating and the lady told me that I shouldn't have a problem finding at least Pairs of seats together at the 24 hour mark and that they make sure young children are not stuck sitting alone. If this is true then I could probably just wait as there are two adults and two children in my party. Is Airtran telling me the truth here or is that not very likely on a late May flight?

As far as the my luggage issue, my large piece measures exactly 61" when empty. I am so afraid they are going to tell me it is oversized even though everytime I have flown on other airlines it was just accepted and never measured.

If you really want to sit together I would pay for your seats. Yes, they will split you up into pairs (parent and child) at opposite ends of the plane if need be. Especially if it's a full flight or oversold. They tried that before with me as they sat us in the exit row. No one under a certain age can fly there so they said my husband would have to sit in the back and I'd have to sit with the kids. Needless to say, they moved a different family without young children that didn't mind moving.

The only time I've seen them split a parent from a child was on our flight that was oversold where there were only 3 seats left. The woman, her daughter, and her grandma were split with the young daughter in business class, mom in the middle, and grandma in the back of the plane.

We've never had our bags measured only weighed.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

I flew with them from Indianapolis non stop in October of last year and had a great experience all around. I did get online at the 24 hour mark and picked my seat. There were probably 50 to 60 seats still available to do so out of 110 total at that time. Same on the return flight as well, although I did get to the airport quite early for my return and they offered to let me get on an earlier flight with no charge. I didn't get to pick my seat for that but it was worth it getting out of the airport and home 5 hours sooner.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I love Air Tran. Even when they are the same price as American I will choose Air Tran. I think their customer service is better. Now having said that it does seem that they have slipped just a little in the past year and have become really picky about suitcase size. I can understand this since so many people are doing carryon only. Just remember when you measure your suitcase it when full and to measure the longest parts, even if it is wheels or wheel stops (legs) or whatever!

I like to support the lower priced carrier. I feel that these guys staying in business also helps to keep prices lower on the "major" carriers as well.

I have never flow SW, just because in my area they are cost prohibitive and have no direct flights to where I go.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I called AirTran today to ask them about seating and the lady told me that I shouldn't have a problem finding at least Pairs of seats together at the 24 hour mark and that they make sure young children are not stuck sitting alone. If this is true then I could probably just wait as there are two adults and two children in my party. Is Airtran telling me the truth here or is that not very likely on a late May flight?

As far as the my luggage issue, my large piece measures exactly 61" when empty. I am so afraid they are going to tell me it is oversized even though every time I have flown on other airlines it was just accepted and never measured.

Keep in mind that the 61 inch rule is a set limit on length, width and height, not just a general 61 inch total. What they seem to be doing is wanting the luggage to go into the overhead so that the length of the case is front to back in the hold of the aircraft. If the suitcase is too tall, then the door on the hold will not close. ( when you open the overhead door the handle of your suitcase will be facing you.) My suitcase had the wheels sticking just a tiny bit further than the case part, but that was enough to not allow the hold to close. They had to turn my suitcase cross ways in the hold. I am assuming that this is less efficient use of space and well as making it a bit slower for people to remove their luggage. Hey, I can understand this. The more efficient they can be with the space the less expensive they can be in the ticket price.

 

[lllGurulll]

Keep in mind that the 61 inch rule is a set limit on length, width and height, not just a general 61 inch total. What they seem to be doing is wanting the luggage to go into the overhead so that the length of the case is front to back in the hold of the aircraft. If the suitcase is too tall, then the door on the hold will not close. ( when you open the overhead door the handle of your suitcase will be facing you.) My suitcase had the wheels sticking just a tiny bit further than the case part, but that was enough to not allow the hold to close. They had to turn my suitcase cross ways in the hold. I am assuming that this is less efficient use of space and well as making it a bit slower for people to remove their luggage. Hey, I can understand this. The more efficient they can be with the space the less expensive they can be in the ticket price.

I'm talking about checked luggage not carry on. There is no way my 61" would ever fit in an overhead. heh

Nah, their checked luggage has a limit of 61" and my large luggage is exactly 61" when empty. Heck, even when empty they could argue it is larger if they really wanted to be nit picky, which it sounds like they do.

 

[Kathi OD]

I called AirTran today to ask them about seating and the lady told me that I shouldn't have a problem finding at least Pairs of seats together at the 24 hour mark and that they make sure young children are not stuck sitting alone. If this is true then I could probably just wait as there are two adults and two children in my party. Is Airtran telling me the truth here or is that not very likely on a late May flight?

As far as the my luggage issue, my large piece measures exactly 61" when empty. I am so afraid they are going to tell me it is oversized even though everytime I have flown on other airlines it was just accepted and never measured.

We use AirTran most of the time. I can tell you that if you are traveling with children, pay for your seats. Their flights are usually full, and in all honestly, you will probably not get seats together at 24 hours out and those people who have paid are under no obligation to change their seat so you can sit with your child. Seriously, why would you take a chance that someone would give up their seat so you can sit with your child?

I've also seen a family that hadn't guaranteed their seats be split up in such a way that the father could not get on the same flight. The flight was oversold and they were the last to board. 4 people, 3 seats. They were told that one of them would have to wait for the next flight. Talk about a crazy scene!

Pay the extra $24 and be sure.

 

[Inkmahm]

I'm talking about checked luggage not carry on. There is no way my 61" would ever fit in an overhead. heh

Nah, their checked luggage has a limit of 61" and my large luggage is exactly 61" when empty. Heck, even when empty they could argue it is larger if they really wanted to be nit picky, which it sounds like they do.

I've never had Airtran measure my bags, only weigh them. I've seen some HUGE bags get checked and they were so obviously oversized. But as long as the weight was okay, I've never seen anyone charged extra for an oversized bag. Doesn't mean it can't happen, I've just never seen it. I fly Airtran to Orlando 4 or 5 times each year.

 

[Inkmahm]

I called AirTran today to ask them about seating and the lady told me that I shouldn't have a problem finding at least Pairs of seats together at the 24 hour mark and that they make sure young children are not stuck sitting alone. If this is true then I could probably just wait as there are two adults and two children in my party. Is Airtran telling me the truth here or is that not very likely on a late May flight?

As far as the my luggage issue, my large piece measures exactly 61" when empty. I am so afraid they are going to tell me it is oversized even though everytime I have flown on other airlines it was just accepted and never measured.

What you were told is incorrect. There are many threads here telling about families that did not pay for seats and were split up on Airtran. I have seen it myself and know that Airtran won't move people for you so that you can sit with a child. At least not one that is 3 or 4 years old.

 

[lllGurulll]

We use AirTran most of the time. I can tell you that if you are traveling with children, pay for your seats. Their flights are usually full, and in all honestly, you will probably not get seats together at 24 hours out and those people who have paid are under no obligation to change their seat so you can sit with your child. Seriously, why would you take a chance that someone would give up their seat so you can sit with your child?

I've also seen a family that hadn't guaranteed their seats be split up in such a way that the father could not get on the same flight. The flight was oversold and they were the last to board. 4 people, 3 seats. They were told that one of them would have to wait for the next flight. Talk about a crazy scene!

Pay the extra $24 and be sure.

Wow. another flight huh? Thats not right.

I've never had Airtran measure my bags, only weigh them. I've seen some HUGE bags get checked and they were so obviously oversized. But as long as the weight was okay, I've never seen anyone charged extra for an oversized bag. Doesn't mean it can't happen, I've just never seen it. I fly Airtran to Orlando 4 or 5 times each year.

That makes me feel a little bit better about the luggage situation. That is really the way it should be.

What you were told is incorrect. There are many threads here telling about families that did not pay for seats and were split up on Airtran. I have seen it myself and know that Airtran won't move people for you so that you can sit with a child. At least not one that is 3 or 4 years old.

Understandable.

Thanks you, all three of you. That was exactly the info I was needing in this thread.

 

[ccgirl]

I called AirTran today to ask them about seating and the lady told me that I shouldn't have a problem finding at least Pairs of seats together at the 24 hour mark and that they make sure young children are not stuck sitting alone. If this is true then I could probably just wait as there are two adults and two children in my party. Is Airtran telling me the truth here or is that not very likely on a late May flight?

As far as the my luggage issue, my large piece measures exactly 61" when empty. I am so afraid they are going to tell me it is oversized even though everytime I have flown on other airlines it was just accepted and never measured.

As I said in my post, my bag was actually measured when we went in December. Mine was either 60 or 61 inches empty. I just made sure I didn't overstuff it. It was BOS that measured my bag. There have been other reports at other airports of bags being measured as well.

As others said, the customer support rep unfortunately gave you incorrect information. They will not make others move so a parent and child can sit together. Look at your flight now and see how many seats are available. When I booked my flight there were very few entire rows open. At the 24 hour mark there were only middle seats left scattered around the plane. Just wasn't worth it for me to take the chance.

 

[dudspizza]

And did someone say free WiFi???

Did I miss something? Wifi is on all Airtran flights, but it is at a cost. THey did offer free wifi over the holidays, but not any more.

Duds

 

[RainbowsMist]

Did I miss something? Wifi is on all Airtran flights, but it is at a cost. THey did offer free wifi over the holidays, but not any more.

Duds

I "assumed" (you know what they say about assume ) Wifi was free too where they don't have the TV's in the seats Any idea how much Wifi is? I've got 2 teenagers to try to keep happy! My 8 year old will be fine however.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I "assumed" (you know what they say about assume ) Wifi was free too where they don't have the TV's in the seats Any idea how much Wifi is? I've got 2 teenagers to try to keep happy! My 8 year old will be fine however.

The Wifi was only free over Christmas. It normally costs around $10.

Jetblue is the one with the TV's in the seat backs. AT and SW never had them.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

I haven't flown them (and won't...these alleged "low cost" airlines drive me batty and rarely save me ANY money over the "big boys"), but...

My sister and two of her friends flew them this weekend to Ohio. Late leaving, later getting in, etc. Then one of her friends got sick and (granted stupidly on sis and pals' parts) they opted to delay their flight home. To today. (clearly they pay NO attention to weather forecasts)

Now, how long has this storm been being called for? And yet the idiots at the AirTran desk ALLOWED THEM TO CHANGE THEIR FLIGHT TO TODAY. Knowing what was predicted.

Yeah... It's stupidity on all sides, but I give very little credence to an airline that allows people to knowingly rebook onto a day when in all likelihood they'll be cancelling every flight.

I'm sorry, the CM's at AirTran aren't meteorolgists and it's not their job to predict whether or not the flight will be cancelled or not. I think this falls squarely on your sister and her friend.

As for AirTran itself, fees or no fees, every flight I have ever booked on AirTran from PHL to MCO has ALWAYS been cheaper than SW or USAir. That includes the fees. And although I have had minor ajustments in a couple of my flight times, their customer service has always been first class. They have allowed me to book a different flight and a different airport on 2 separate occassions.

My only complaint with AirTran is that they will soon be taken over by SW. Yeah, I won't pay "fees" but my fare will likely be higher that I could have gotten on AirTran.

 

[lllGurulll]

Does Airtran really not give you any free snacks at all other than just a drink?

Not a big deal as I will have some snacks for my kids anyway but I have never heard of a flight not having any snacks.

 

[dudspizza]

I "assumed" (you know what they say about assume ) Wifi was free too where they don't have the TV's in the seats Any idea how much Wifi is? I've got 2 teenagers to try to keep happy! My 8 year old will be fine however.

https://www.gogoinflight.com/gogo/purchase.do?execution=e1s1

If you have 2 kids, that would be x2 for the cost. An account is only allowed to log in with 1 device, so if they both want to log in, they will both need to pay for the service.

 

[ccgirl]

Does Airtran really not give you any free snacks at all other than just a drink?

Not a big deal as I will have some snacks for my kids anyway but I have never heard of a flight not having any snacks.

No. You get a drink and snack (cookies/pretzels etc) twice. When I have flown on SW then have only provided one snack/drink but AirTran comes around twice.

 

[dancin Disney style]

No. You get a drink and snack (cookies/pretzels etc) twice. When I have flown on SW then have only provided one snack/drink but AirTran comes around twice.

Ya...the drinks and snacks were pretty free flowing with AT. Last year we had a divorced husband and wife duo of flight attendants. We thought the guy was just joking around but they really were divorced. Anyway, they continually came around asking if anyone wanted any refills and when my DD asked for another cookie the guy gave her a big handful of them.

 

[RainbowsMist]

I've been all over Air Trans website trying to find weight limits for carry ons and I can't seem to see it I see the weight for checked bags but nothing for carry ons. Does anyone know what they are?

Thank you

 

[ccgirl]

I've been all over Air Trans website trying to find weight limits for carry ons and I can't seem to see it I see the weight for checked bags but nothing for carry ons. Does anyone know what they are?

Thank you

There is no weight limit for a carryon - it is only a size limit for a carryon. Hope that helps.