Anyone flown AirTran?

[shaycamp21]

We are booked in March to fly with AirTran out of Detroit ($788 return for 4 which I thought was pretty good--and they are direct flights). I have always flown SW (both out of Detroit and Buffalo) and have found them to be quite good. How does AirTran compare in terms of check in, boarding, service etc.. ? Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[runner26.2]

We flew AirTran from BUF to MCO in november 2005. I thought they were terrific. Check in and the flights were good without any complaints. The one advantage of Airtran over SW is preassigned seating so that you can always ensure your family sits together (altho with SW we've never sat apart even without preassigned seating.)

I think you'll find them every bit as enjoyable as Southwest

 

[jksgrammy]

We usually fly AirTran out of Flint, MI. Have never had a problem with them.

 

[kristieleeoz]

We are booked with them too, in April.
We got direct return flights for 4 for $810 USD. I am nervous about flying with them, but I'm nervous about flying with anyone!!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

My family and I flew on AirTran BUF-TPA and MCO-BUF last week. Checked-in online and printed out my boarding passes @ home. There was no line-up at BUF. We were boarded very quickly and the airplane pushed back from the jetway ahead of schedule.

Check-in @ MCO was done using the self-serve kiosk with a ticket agent right there to tag our luggage. Very well done.

As for the airplanes themselves -- the seats are very basic airline seats. I'm a bit of a bigger guy and while the appropriate parts of my body fit appropriately in the appropriate place I found my elbows pushing into my wife's side and her elbows pushing into mine. My left arm was hanging into the aisle and I had to be rather vigilant about flight attendants, drink carts and other passengers moving along the aisles. Both DW and I found the seat cushions to be short.

Would I fly AirTran again -- probably, yes. The price was a deal, but I would probably consider Southwest as a first choice and then AirTran as second choice.

 

[MaMudduck]

i've flown both too, but also had to connect thru atlanta with Aitran.

I like the preprinted boarding passes at Airtran better. I like not having the line up and "wait" under a letter then race so i can get a seat together with my family.

i'd fly either one anytime.

 

[chowboys]

We are booked in March to fly with AirTran out of Detroit ($788 return for 4 which I thought was pretty good--and they are direct flights). I have always flown SW (both out of Detroit and Buffalo) and have found them to be quite good. How does AirTran compare in terms of check in, boarding, service etc.. ? Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks

I am so glad you were able to book a flight. Looking forward to seeing you on the Wonder March 11, 2007

 

[maryliz]

I flew with them Aug '05. Checked in online at the 24 hour window ... there were almost NO seats left on the plane. We were stuck in the very last row, and there was no window ... it was like being in a small closet. However we then checked in for our second leg of the flight out of Atlanta and pretty much got any seat we wanted. So I don't know what happened with that original flight. And I took note ... there wasn't a large tour group or anything on it.

One thing ... Air Tran is known for changing it's flight times. So be prepared for that, and be diligent about checking your flights. You're fortunate to have a n/s flight ... we had a very long layover in Atlanta due to flight time changes.

Service was great otherwise. SWA is still my favourite, but I would fly Air Tran again ... especially if I could get n/s flight.

 

[Claud26]

we flew with them last December 2005... and everything from check-in to our flight was great ... we actually booked them thruw Disney and they did change the flight times a lot, however we were always moved to the 1st flight out since thats what we had booked ... our tickets actually didn't even reflect the correct flight number and i was worried about that. However after talking to Disney and Airtran they ensured me that this would not be a problem and it wasn't .
My only complain is that they only offer one dirrect flight out of Buf to MCO on Saturdays.
Other than that I would fly with them again

 

[shaycamp21]

Thanks everyone for all the info.

I am so glad you were able to book a flight. Looking forward to seeing you on the Wonder March 11, 2007

Hey, I didn't know you were on the Wonder too. We loved cruising DCL last March but the 3 day was way too short and would prefer a 7day but it was too much $$$ so the 4 day is 2nd best. We are still trying to figure out what to do now that we arrive 2 days before (thinking of a beach resort around the port?) and one day after (probably a shopping day in Orlando?). What are you planning?

 

[NEWEARS2006]

We flew with them from Detroit to Orlando in August. No problems. Checked in on-line 24 hours in advance and printed our boarding passes. Coming home, we had Guest Services at the Disney hotel check us in for our flight 24 hours in advance and they printed our boarding passes. It was great knowing that we were all seating together before reaching the airport. As well, when we arrived at the Orlando airport, there was a huge line for passengers checking in with AirTran. There was a ticket agent asking if anyone had boarding passes and pulled us out of a line of over 100 and we checked right in for our flight. So if you can have your hotel check you in for your flight, I would advise you do so.

 

[chowboys]

Thanks everyone for all the info.



Hey, I didn't know you were on the Wonder too. We loved cruising DCL last March but the 3 day was way too short and would prefer a 7day but it was too much $$$ so the 4 day is 2nd best. We are still trying to figure out what to do now that we arrive 2 days before (thinking of a beach resort around the port?) and one day after (probably a shopping day in Orlando?). What are you planning?

I am going to pm you with our plans.