Any Canadians care to comment on AIRTRAN?

[son3disfan]

I just booked a flight in May with Airtran ( great price of $72.00 )-first time with them- out of Buffalo.
I am reading terrible things about them on the transportation board...
Thought maybe my fellows Canadians could fill me in on their personal experiences.

Most comments are about changing the flights... I'm not too concerned about "times" as long as I get to keep my non-stop, on the day I booked.
Anyone care to comment on their experiences?

Thanks!

 

[wdwchamp]

I currently live in the Indianapolis region and have used AirTran a number of times and I found my experiences to be good. They have XM satellite Radio to help pass the time away and they do have an option of upgrading to Business Class depending on the flight ranging from 49 to 99 per flight segment.

I have booked them for my trip to Sept in February, and so far they changed the time of flights twice. I'm leaving an hour earlier to Orlando and leaving 15 minutes later to Indy. This is a normal occurrance with any airline. Air Canada has done this to me numerous times, so has United, etc. Don't be overly concerned about this.

Just realize that flying in today's enviroment is completely different than when I first started using airlines in the early 90's. There are few extra seats, if a bad storm occurs expect delays and an unexpected overnight stay. I would recommend getting some travel interruption insurance since airlines no longer will house you if there is overnight delay due to weather.

 

[Jen M]

I have never had a problem with. They like you to be there 2 hrs before your flight and start boarding about 30 to 20 mins before. We got to the gate about 20 mins before our flight and were the last ones on the plane so I now see why they want you there early. We are using them again in 3 weeks.

 

[spicemom]

We took Airtran BUF to MCO this past May, non stop flight. I also had booked pretty early, in Oct I think. The time changed probably once and was a difference of about 11 min later. Flight was on time, no complaints. Would definitely fly them again.

 

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

Last time we flew with Airtran was in Sept 2006, and we really liked them. No problems at all! Our flight time did change once by like an hour or two. But the experience was altogether positive. We will be flying with them again out of BUF in September. I will let you know how it goes.

 

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

We took Airtran BUF to MCO this past May, non stop flight. I also had booked pretty early, in Oct I think. The time changed probably once and was a difference of about 11 min later. Flight was on time, no complaints. Would definitely fly them again.

Spicemom,

I was just wondering what time did your flight depart from BUF? I am hoping our flight will stay non stop. Thanks!

 

[iluvwesties]

Had a good experience with Air Tran in March, flew BUF-MCO, flight was on time and smooth and the price was excellent ($79) for March Break

 

[son3disfan]

. I will let you know how it goes.

That would be great!

It's good to know flights out of Buffalo have been good, not too many changes.
I've never bought tickets this early before, it just seemed like such a good deal. Especially with the drop in the dollar.

 

[son3disfan]

Had a good experience with Air Tran in March, flew BUF-MCO, flight was on time and smooth and the price was excellent ($79) for March Break

Just wondering...

How far in advance did you purchase your tickets to get that great price?

 

[dangler]

We flew Airtran out of Detroit in April and had no problems. It was nothing fancy, but no complaints either. I would use them again, the prices were great!

 

[Kyen]

I recently booked a flight and saved money. I fly down to Florida every year and prefer to fly Air Tran. I have had NO PROBLEMS with the airline!

A couple of years ago I was suppose to fly to Tampa on the day that Jets go went under, I was able to get a 'business class' seat for cheaper then my seat on the fallen airline

 

[iluvwesties]

Just wondering...

How far in advance did you purchase your tickets to get that great price?

I got this fare as soon as they opened up the March fares as I knew that we could only go during March Break due to son being in High School

I just checked my credit card statement and I booked it on October 3rd 2007

Hope this helps

iluvwesties (aka Carol)

 

[spicemom]

Spicemom,

I was just wondering what time did your flight depart from BUF? I am hoping our flight will stay non stop. Thanks!

I've just tried to find the exact time our flight left but I think I've erased all those emails. We definitely were to leave between 3:30-4pm. I believe they seem to have (or did) the same set non stop time flight every day to orlando.

 

[talicskai]

Air Tran is just fine ~ that's all it is ~ a way to get there ~ no frills but we arrived safe and on time.

I do have one complaint with them ~ I changed my flights and had to pay a $75 change fee and I had the outbound and return on separate confirmation numbers so I had to pay it twice! Much prefer Southwest ~ they are so much more generous with their change fees and credit allowance. In the future I will fly Southwest whenever possible.

Teresa

 

[mollyseven]

we also flew down Buf to Mco for March break and they were great. No problems. We didn't have any flight changes or time changes and we also booked in october for march break and got 4 of us for 1000 dollars!!! it was 3000 from toronto.....no question.
We are booked on airtran for christmas from Buf to Mco again and although there has been once schedule change they have changed their direct flight times and that's fine cause we now get there 3 hours earlier!!! plus we booked so far out I figured at least one change was due.
There is no difference in service between airtran and air transat or sunwing or air canada if you ask me .... all airlines are no frills anymore it seems.
relax it will be good.

 

[bubba]

We've used AirTran several times out of Buffalo and would definitely do so again. On one occasion our flight times were changed, but only by a matter of 20 minutes or so and we ended up landing according to our original time anyway. They are definitely a no frills airline, but everyone we've dealt with are very friendly and professional.

 

[son3disfan]

Thanks everyone for your replies!!

I'm feeling a little better about my purchase.
For 6 of us, roundtrip, on nonstop flights for April/May we payed $990.00 (all taxes in.)
If they change the times, I'm ok with that,it just has to be non-stop!

 

[Jen M]

Air Tran is just fine ~ that's all it is ~ a way to get there ~ no frills but we arrived safe and on time.

I do have one complaint with them ~ I changed my flights and had to pay a $75 change fee and I had the outbound and return on separate confirmation numbers so I had to pay it twice! Much prefer Southwest ~ they are so much more generous with their change fees and credit allowance. In the future I will fly Southwest whenever possible.

Teresa

I think Southwest has made some changes recently. My parents were going to New York and asked if I could call to see how much it would cost to change their flight home to an earlier flight. With all the charges it was just over $1000 for them to change there flight. I thought the guy told me the fee to change was something like $350.