AirTran

[ajf1007]

I'm wondering how many of you have flown AirTran and what you thought about it. I was considering driving from PA but found a great price on AirTran $225! I've never flown this airline so any feedback you have is greatly appreciated!

 

[jekjones1558]

AirTran flights are fine but they have changed flights so often that I try not to fly them if I can help it. We fly out of Mpls/St. Paul, so maybe that makes a difference, but AirTran changed morning flights to afternoon flights and non-stops to connecting flights. They do tend to have good prices, so if you are willing to live with changes you should be fine. They are a participating airline at WDW, so you can check your luggage at your Disney hotel/DVC and not have to lug it to the airport, which is great.

 

[TinkandGoofy'sMom]

My husband and I flew AirTran in January. We got a good price, however they charge for baggage ($20 per bag), which for two people both ways is $80. If we took our two kids that would be $160, which is a lot. I find it very annoying when people bring huge bags on the plane for their carry-on, but can see why when you are charged to check your bags. We were used to JetBlue which allows one free checked bag per customer. The plane itself is "no frills", not much leg room, and no tv/movie. On JetBlue each seat has its own tv (which is definitely a plus when travelling with children), more legroom, and also better snacks on JetBlue. The staff were very good, very concerned about staying on schedule. If the price was better than another airline, and the schedule was good then I would use them again.

 

[jenifred]

We flew Airtran a few years ago and thought it was fine. Clean. No frills, but I would rather a better price than a bigger bag of peanuts.

 

[PrincessJasmine53]

We fly Airtran out of Akron, OH to Orlando since we moved here in 2010. The planes are okay. We're hoping that changes with the merge with Southwest. They are much cheaper and less of a hassle than flying out of Cleveland. It's great - gets us to Orlando in under 2 hours, and it's more reasonable!
The only problem I had once was going to DesMoines - the plane was late, and I would have never made the connection. So far no major problems with Orlando.
I've had friends fly Airtran out of Allentown - they loved it - less of a hassle than Newark, and half the price. They had a late afternoon flight with no problems. On the way home they were early.
As for bags, I only take a carryon suitcase - I've learned to travel light. So I don't pay for bags.
You got a great price...book it!

 

[hakepb]

I flew down once and the direct flight on the way down was great. The scheduled stop in Atlanta on the way back.... (then only had 2 direct flights a week from my airport) was crazy we were in Atlanta for 5 hours nothing was posted about delays so you had to listen for announcements from each gate (3 hours after all restaurants were closed in the terminal) after a 2 hour delay in ORD. I think the entire country for Air Tran was messed up that day because Obama was in Atlanta earlier that day) so that enforced my idea that a direct flight would be the only way to go.

Unfortunately, Southwest decided they don't want my regional airport, so starting April our only option will be Allegiant to Sanford (and no DME)

 

[ajf1007]

Thanks for all the feedback! I did book it, at $225.60 from Philadelphia to Orlando. It's a direct flight each way - leaves at 7:25 am and gets into Orlando at 9:55am. I much prefer Southwest and I was a bit surprised that when I booked this AirTran flight that I had to pay $6/seat for advance seating. But still, in the grand scheme, it was a great price. Now I'm just hoping they don't cancel it on the way down. They can cancel it on the way back and leave me stranded if they want . Mess with me on the way back, but on the way TO WDW, you better not!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Air tran is the only line that has direct flights to MCO out of Dayton OH, so we fly them often. Their prices have gotten a lot higher recently, but we love direct flights. Also, with their FF program, you can use so many points to fly business class with free bags.

We like Air Tran.

Bobbi

 

[ajf1007]

Air tran is the only line that has direct flights to MCO out of Dayton OH, so we fly them often. Their prices have gotten a lot higher recently, but we love direct flights. Also, with their FF program, you can use so many points to fly business class with free bags.

We like Air Tran.

Bobbi

Whew - that's good to hear Bobbi! Have they ever cancelled or changed your flight after you booked it? We were going to drive but I thought $225.60 was a great deal and actually cheaper than Southwest, but I do love Southwest!

 

[333disneymom]

Whew - that's good to hear Bobbi! Have they ever cancelled or changed your flight after you booked it? We were going to drive but I thought $225.60 was a great deal and actually cheaper than Southwest, but I do love Southwest!

We've used AirTran every year for the last 5 years to Orlando and never had a flight cancelled. We only had one flight time changed and it was leaving for Orlando 5 minutes early. So, no problems. I think you will be fine flying out of Philly, since it is a larger airport.

 

[ajf1007]

We've used AirTran every year for the last 5 years to Orlando and never had a flight cancelled. We only had one flight time changed and it was leaving for Orlando 5 minutes early. So, no problems. I think you will be fine flying out of Philly, since it is a larger airport.

AWESOME!!! Thanks! Gosh, I can't wait til September!

 

[lions1995]

We flew Airtran a few years back from PHL to MCO. Only issue was the return flight but that was weather related in Philly. All planes to Philly were grounded until the storms passed. Other than that I can not complain.

Yes they charge for baggagae now ( one of the last to covert) and for advanced seating. Somehow that bothers me less that Southwest charging to get a better line to acquire a seat on the plane.

Welll, I will be booking my May flights very soon and will be using Airtran on the way down (there times are not good on the return).

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I'm with Jean on this one. They were changing the flight times so often we have decided to fly them as a last resort. We also have had flights cancelled on our return home flights. Had to wait 5 hours for the next flight. Again we won't fly them unless absolutely necessary.

 

[ajf1007]

Oh no! I just lost my warm and fuzzy feeling!

 

[jjk3]

I have flown Airtran many time. I flew them quite a bit when I lived in Baltimore.

I moved to Lexington, KY almost 4 years ago. I was mega-excited when Airtran came to LEX with nonstop service to MCO and GREAT prices.

I have always had great flights with Airtran and love flying them - mainly because of their great prices!! They also had XM radio in every seat.

And then Southwest bought them....

As expected, SWA announced recently that they were eliminating LEX later this year. Now the only direct flight from LEX to Orlando is Allegiant which flies into Sanford.

I have heard of a lot of people having issues with flights being moved all around all over the place (happened to my inlaws once). Anyhow, I would not worry about flying them if you get a great price. Just make sure you double check your flight times the day before and the day of your flight.

 

[nolanboys]

We always fly them out of Milwaukee. We take the first flight out in the morning and have never had an issue. We'll see if there is any impact since SWA took them over when flights open up for our trip this November.

 

[DizGirl20]

Thanks for posting - we just booked our flight with AirTran (PHL to MCO) for April. I booked thru Kayak and we are flying USAir down and AirTran back and I think we paid @ $238 per person (round-trip). We live much closer to Newark but the tickets are around $500 per person!

Glad I didn't know about flights being switched around before I booked. Philly is a pretty big airport, so I don't think we will have much to worry about. If my flight gets moved for some crazy reason I will try to remember to come back here and post! Fingers crossed for both of us!

 

[Kuzco]

AirTran unfortunately pulled out of my local airport recently. But prior to this, I flew with them most of my trips to Florida. I always had a great experience. Only once did they change my flight to a less convenient time. If they still flew out of my airport, I'd still be booking them.

 

[Kidanifan08]

We have two options for direct flights to MCO from Indy: Airtran or Southwest. We have used both. Airtran tends to have better flight times and usually gets to MCO earlier in the AM, so we can get started on our vacation .

Airtran's charges for seat assignments and luggage turns their great rate into an OK rate. We travel with our 5 yo and will usually go for 8-9 days, so we can't get everything we need into carry-ons. I think I prefer the Southwest open seating, since we get to board during the second seating with our son and it doesn't cost anything to sit together. They also do not have luggage fees.

We have had flight times change once or twice, but usually it is no more than an hour difference. We will be flying Airtran in June for our Disney trip!

 

[keishashadow]

Merging AT with SWA will eventually hurt those of us in small markets

Yes, AT does switch flight times frequently (I consider it a buying opportunity to gamble and book a cheap connecting flight then call & ask to switch it to NS when the flight time changes). Always check your departure times up to flight time.

However, AT does seem to be more willing to acknowledge 'issues' with things going south during a flight experience (varioius luggage related, plane diversions,etc.) and if requested they will issue compensation liberally.