Airtrans changed my flight times, can anything be done about it?

[Disney Dukers]

Hi

In February I booked flights from Detroit to Orlando with Airtrans. My flight times when I booked were 11:34am - 2:05pm & 3:39pm - 6:19pm. I just checked today and my flight times have changed, 11:27am - 1:51pm & 3:58pm -6:35pm. Not a huge amount but it still kinda sucks, I'm worried it will keep getting later. I'm more concerned about the flight home. I've got little ones and I'm not too happy. At what point can I change my flight for free because they have changed my flight times?

Thank you!!!

 

[OhMari]

Technically they have changed your flights and you can call. But do you want to leave earlier in the day? There may be no more direct flights, just connecting flights left.

This is why it is best to keep watching. Most times the pilot can make up the times while in the air. Sometimes there can be a mechanical problem. We sat on the runway once for 2 hours, while they fixed a sensor that went off. Your chances are almost 50/50 to have a perfect flight.

 

[GAGirlInVA]

Am I reading this wrong? They changed by just a few minutes right?

 

[Disney Dukers]

Yes that's right, only 16 minutes thus far. I was watching earlier when I booked and they changed it by a few minutes and today they did it again. All those minutes can add up. I'm worried by the time August comes that my 6:00pm flight is now 8:00pm.

 

[readytogotodisney]

You can always call and switch your flight for free if the airline changed your flight times on you. Just call and say they don't work for you anymore.
If there is an earlier flight times that work better for you, call. But really I would leave it alone for now.
That's just me.

 

[deakam]

Airtran just turned everything over to Southwest. They swear that nothing will change for now. My guess is that by the time Aug and Sept for me rolls around---a lot of things are going to change.

Because this trip is already booked I am going through with it but I will not fly this airline again after this. I choose Airtran over Southwest for a reason. Now there is no difference.

 

[Disney Dukers]

Okay thanks!

 

[Disney Dukers]

Airtran just turned everything over to Southwest. They swear that nothing will change for now. My guess is that by the time Aug and Sept for me rolls around---a lot of things are going to change.

Because this trip is already booked I am going through with it but I will not fly this airline again after this. I choose Airtran over Southwest for a reason. Now there is no difference.

Oh I had no idea. I wonder how this will affect things. hmm...

 

[bpesch]

To be honest, you should be glad it only changed by less than 30 minutes. The last time they changed my flights I got in 6 hours later!

 

[mom2brooke76]

Oh I had no idea. I wonder how this will affect things. hmm...

I imagine that it will be like Southwest's other flights and no assigned seating. The good thing is that I've personally never seen SW change an itinerary once it's put out and I fly them at least 10 times a year.

 

[dudspizza]

Oh I had no idea. I wonder how this will affect things. hmm...

People won't see any changes until first quarter 2012. That is when the two airlines will be integrated together and the Airtran paint scheme will be phased out. Until then it is business as usual.

OP, did the flight times not work for you when you booked. Airtran is very good at moving you to any flight that works, now that they have made a change. If you are simply worried that it will continue to change, then simply watch the flights and if they are changed to something that is not acceptable, call and ask to be moved to another flight.

My last Airtran flights ended up moving back and forth 5-6 times but ended within an hour of the original times.

Duds

 

[seashoreCM]

While there are no noticeable immediate changes planned now that Southwest acquired Airtran, over time the number of "Airtran" flights can dwindle and the number of "Southwest" flights can increase.

It is possible for some cities to stop being served if Southwest doesn't like the negotiations for renewing gate contracts at those airports.