Anyone ever fly Independence Air???

[wdwmom2]

My DD wants to visit a friend and we are looking for an inexpensive flight. Independence Air has the best prices.

Can anyone with any experience with this airline give me some feedback? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[stage manager]

Independence is based at Dulles Airport in DC. My wife flew them at the last minute for a funeral and was very happy with the service. Everything was on time and the fare was right.

But...

They are struggling. Unlike Delta and NWA which are tettering on Chapter 11, reports have Independence looking at Chapter 7 which means full liquidation. If the trip isn't in the too distant future, buy the fare. But use a credit card to protect yourself in the event they go under. I personally would buy a ticket for more than a couple of weeks in advance.

However, they are safe and provide good service as long as they are in business.

 

[mhf]

I have flown I-air twice this summer. Once was to a funeral at last minute (no, not the same as the previous post!) and was a terrific price. We were late leaving due to mechanical problems and late coming home because of a nasty storm. But, I did manage to get home and the USAir people did not. Don't know why. Our pilot came out and talked to us in the terminal and explained that he had a certain number of hours to fly and we needed to be super-fast in boarding when the time came and we were!
I flew them once for business and it was perfect.
They serve your choice of juice and cookies or chips, even on the short flights.
Have reservations on the for Dec 10 so I have my fingers and toes crossed.

MHF

 

[thegales]

I fly Independence Air, and like them very much. But as stage manager has stated, they may not be around. Of course, this could become a self fulfilling prophesy. No one wants to fly them because they might go under, but if no one flys them, it might force them to go under. I hope that does not happen.

Again reiterating stage manager, use a credit card to at least get your fare back. Please realize that other airlines will probably not honor Independence Air tickets, so you would be forced to buy a last minute ticket on another airline.

 

[n2mm]

I flew them in May and again in July (out of Dulles). No problem. They were on time and friendly. I have tickets for them for next week too. I also have my October trip booked with them, but as others have said, I have my fingers crossed that they will be around in october. I would not buy too far in advance. With the fuel prices, that may be the last straw for them. It will be too bad, because a little healthy competition for a nonstop out of Dulles was a good thing.

 

[NCRedding]

Who knows what will happen in the airline industry, although I guess we should all be using the same thoughts listed above.

I remember last year when independence first appeared on the scene. There was a Diser who was a pilot with another airline who frequently posted that in his opinion, Independence would be gone in a number of weeks (this would have been by 4/04) Instead of Independence disappearing, the pilot's airline disappeared, and he had to go with another company. It is such a volative industry these days.

I've heard nothing but good about Independence, except in the financial papers.

 

[stacy6552]

My neighbors just loveeeeesssss them. We're taking our first trip with them in Dec.

 

[MLBelle41]

Please do not fly this airline. I flew them round-trip once and had the worst experience I've ever had with an airline. In the course of a single vacation, we were delayed an entire day both ways, they lost our luggage and even cancelled our flight for no apparent reason, for which they refused to compensate our overnight stay and even initially refused to issue us another return ticket. The staff is unpleasant, occasionally downright rude, and they have no concept of customer service. I am glad some of you have had positive experiences, but I will never, ever fly them again!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

But...

They are struggling. Unlike Delta and NWA which are tettering on Chapter 11, reports have Independence looking at Chapter 7 which means full liquidation. If

Yep!

Who evers idea it was to start an airline during these times, must have been on crack! I think their biggest problem is growing way to rapidly. They started service with 20+ destinations, which is extremly rare in the airline industry. My biggest question is, who is going to take Independences aircraft (All of which are Uniteds old A319's and SkyWest's old CRJ's...)

 

[wdwmom2]

Thanks everyone for your replies. If my DD goes, she will purchase her ticket with a credit card.

 

[MickeysMommy]

Oh, Lord, y'all are scaring me. I have reservations with them for 9/22 and 9/27. You think I will be ok?

 

[stage manager]

They were just ranked #2 in customer satisfaction in an article today. I don't think they will fold without some noise before hand. It has been quiet, so I don't know if that is the calm before the storm or if things are okay. They probably have enough cash to make it through the month, so you are likely to be okay. I just wouldn't make my Thanksgiving plans with them yet.

 

[Auntie Kelly]

I flew them last Sept. (Labor Day weekend). My aunt was in the hospital and we thought she would not make it through the weekend. I booked tickets for my sister and myself from Boston and my mom from Hartford at 1am Sunday for a 6am flight that same morning. We had no problems, it was the easiest checkin, both in Boston/Hartford and Dulles. The crew were the friendliest I have ever encountered and the price was more than half of what everyone else was offering. I would fly them again in a minute and recommended them to everyone I know. As for the financial trouble I can see where that is a concern. Both of my flights had about 6-8 people on them each way. Definitely use a credit card. I hope they don't go away anytime soon though.

 

[Colinsmom]

I flew them alone with DS2 in May and was very pleased with the experience. The flight attendants even gave me a hand with the car seat when boarding both flights, something that United and American attendants have never done for us!