Anyone ever flown TransMeridian Airlines?

[luvdzny]

We are heading for Disney in June. We usually fly out of Milwaukee on Midwest Airlines. If we would fly out of Rockford, IL on TransMeridian Airlines it would save us $500.00 on 4 tickets. Rockford is only 30 minutes farther than Mitchell Field in Milwaukee so that is not really a problem. TMA flies into Sanford airport in Orlando which I know nothing about. Anyone have any experience with TMA of Sanford? Thanks!!!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I am thinking TMA may be a charter airline.

If they are, the one main thing to beware of, is if they cancel a flight, they have no obligation to try to book you with another carrier.

You may want to see if any of the "big" airlines are matching their fares out of Rockford.

 

[luvdzny]

You're right, it does seem like a charter. I was not aware of the cancellation issue though. I think we will be better off flying out of Milwaukee and spending a bit more, Northwest has some pretty good fares right now, thanks for the reply.

 

[dudspizza]

Another poster suggested USA3000 Airlines. Their fares seem cheap and they do fly out of Milwaukee....

I can't vouch for them good or bad, just had to toss that one out there.

One good thing about Rockford, is they offer free parking! TMA is a small, charter style airline. I fly a similar airline out of MSP, it is Sun Country. SCA only has 5 or 6 planes, so problems could arise if they have mechanical issues....... I guess those are the chances you take if you want to save some $$$

Duds

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I've flown TMA from Syracuse to Orlando (Sanford) several times. I was a little concerned about the charter issue, but it has never been a problem. In fact, my entire family loves TMA - we get a nonstop flight, with decent food, and Sanford is a dream, much smaller and more navigable than MCO. They've also been very reliable, usually arriving earlier than the scheduled time.

 

[Allycat1]

We've flown TransMeridian twice in the last year ~ Syracuse,NY to Sanford. Our first flight there was a delay with the return trip. Had a mechanical problem with plane. They did give us vouchers to eat dinner in the airport for the whole family while they called for another plane. We were delayed a few hours but nothing major. Then recd a letter in the mail after we were home with $40 vouchers/pp for our next flight. Other than that delay, our flights were great, attendants were great. They served breakfast in the morning and sandwiches for dinner plus drinks. (No peanuts on this flight!!). Sandford airport is smaller and less congested (unless you're there at Superbowl & Daytona 500 time like we just were!!). We booked flights at $65 each way in Jan.

Would highly recommend to anybody!

 

[WDWBOB1]

We flew TMA from Toledo to Sanford last year...would do it again in a second. They were on time, flew in and out of small airports, and they actually served a cold meal. Highly recommended!

 

[JKW]

Last February my husband and I flew out of Rockford to Sanford. We flew out on a Thursday and flew home on a Monday. Rockford was really nice for the parking and it is a small airport. Sanford is a slightly larger airport than Rockford but still very small compared to Ohare or even Milwaukee. We did not experience any delays or problems with either leg of the trip. At Sanford, we rented a car and drove to the Royal Pacific. It was a short drive just long enough to get a feeling our 1st vacation alone in 11yrs. was just beginning.

Now....for us the limited flight times were the only drawback. We prefer to leave early morning and return late at night to maximize our time there. TMA seems to only fly afternoons.

We would fly them again if the times were doable.

Janet

 

[Aisling]

Another thumbs up for TransMeridian!

 

[luvdzny]

Thanks for the replies, it sounds like TMA may be the way to go. Right now I can't buy the tickets because we are waiting to hear if DD's BF will be joining us. I hope to find out soon and then I will decide. Thanks again!

 

[mousetime]

We have flown TMA twice from SYR to SFB. the flights have been so cheap that it has been worth driving 2 hrs from Albany to save $ on a family of five. And that's with a PL hotel for the night before. The service and planes have been great, they give you a small meal & plenty of drinks. My kids got activity bags with crayons, coloring/activity book and their "Wings" pin. Arriving/Departing Sanford is like haveing your own personal APO. They only problem I have had if you want to call it that is that rental car prices are not that great. None of the mousesaver codes worked and the best i could do is a AAA rate. Have always done better from MCO. It is technically a charter AL, but they fly scheduled runs every day, and the planes have always been full.

MT

 

[Loops]

I'm glad to hear you all had good experiences on Transmeridian. We are flying with them for the first time in April. I got airfare for 5 under $1000.

We normall fly out of Newark International (about 1/2 hour drive) but for the saving with Transmeridian we will make a sacrifice and drive one hour and a half to Allentown, PA.

How is the condition of their planes?

 

[vossjemi]

Does anyone know when they will post their schedule into sept? We are looking at either 9/16 or 9/17 return on 9/24 out of St.Louis. Thanks.