anyone worried about ATA???

[powellrj]

We usually use ATA for most of our flights out of Indy and love them. Now everyday on the news the lead story is about how much money they have lost and will they survive??? At first I wasn't too worried about it, but everynight the news seems to be worse than the day before. Our flight is for the end of October. About 15 years ago when we had a trip planned,we were flying on Braniff and they went belly-up a week before our trip and we were left finding last minute tickets. How safe do you feel if you have an ATA flight planned???

 

[Gary M]

I heard on the Indy news last night that if you charge your ATA tickets on a credit card and they go belly-up, you will receive a refund. I know if this happens a person is stuck making a last minute reservation with another airline at probablya much higher fare.

I sure hope they survive.

 

[sgtdisney]

I wouldn't count ATA out yet. Almost all of the carriers are suffering from losses of one type or another. You probably get a lot of news about ATA because they are headquartered there in Indiana. I know here in Chicago we hear a lot about United's troubles and I expect in Dallas there is news about American's issues as well.

I have read that ATA has been looking into getting smaller planes like the Boeing 717 in exchange for some of their larger aircraft and that one of their issues is overcapacity.

 

[smcbaker]

I wouldn't worry about a trip in Oct, either. I can't see that they would stop operations before the end of the holiday season at the end of the year. They might curtail flight options on non-productive routes -- it's always a good idea to keep checking your flights, no matter what the fiscal state of the airline. I think the previous poster is right -- because we are in Indiana, we are hearing more about it. If we were in Pittsburgh, we'd be hearing about US Air. If we were in Atlanta, it would be Delta. The airline business as a whole is having a hard time still. ATA just recently announced additional flights. I wouldn't worry about October. I hope they are able to turn it around...they have before. Always nice to have a hometown airline.

 

[HoosierFantasia]

We are using ATA for our trip in February and I am not too concerned. They are having problems like everyone else, but they still have plenty of cash to get them to the first quarter of next year. They are planning on adding business class and European routes to boost revenues. Even if ATA does have to file bankruptcy (which they likely will do in the Spring) they will continue to operate. They will scale down flights but the flights to Orlando are there bread and butter. If those go, so does the ATA.
Bill

 

[powellrj]

Thanks for all the replies, I wasn't too worried about it at first, but you just keep hearing about it so that was why I was a little worried. Thanks again!!

 

[inkkognito]

We hold an unbelievable amount of tickets on ATA from now till Dec. (at least two flights per month) and are charter members of their new Elite program, so I am a little nervous! Up till now, doing military charters has helped to keep their heads above water. The flights from Chicago to Orlando have been pretty full, so I have my fingers crossed.
Barb

 

[Geoff_M]

They'd go Chapter 11 (as other carriers that are still around have) before they'd discontinue operation. I wouldn't sweat it much.