ATA or Midway

[castmbr]

Has anyone flown ATA or flown into or out of Chicago's Midway Airport recently? I am considering booking a flight from Milwaukee to Orlando on ATA in January (We were booked at a great rate through Sun Country until they stopped flying). I am having a hard time finding a decent rate and I am getting ticked! We usually prefer Midwest Express (direct out of Milw.), but obviously since they have now cornered the market on direct flights from Milw. to Orlando they think they can charge anything they want! Example: we had $170 rnd trip on Sun Country and Midwest wants over $900 for the same dates! I am afraid to wait for fear that the fares will continue to climb!

 

[Ralph&Pam]

We fly ATA out of Midway for most of our trips to WDW, typically two or three trips per year (we are DVC members). We are booked on ATA for another trip early next month and will soon book a spring break trip as well. We also flew ATA to Las Vegas for my niece's wedding last May. We are generally satisfied with their service. Although we have experienced some delays out of Midway, these have been no worst than what we used to experience on United out of O'Hare and the airfares are significantly cheaper. Once nice thing is the fact that ATA does not require a Saturday night stay to get a decent fair. I'm paying $180 RT per person next month, and usually am satisfied if I find anything in the $175-$225 RT per person with the lower fares for midweek departure and return and the higher end for Sunday departure/Saturday return.

ATA is a no frills operation, so there is no meal service. No big thing to me, since I really dislike airline food in any case. Midway is a decent airport, particularly since the new construction.

Ralph

 

[LvsTnk]

Will be flying ATA for the 4th time this year to Orlando next week, and for the price I think you will be happy. We usually pay in the $200 range. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your gate it can be a long walk, and check their website often they change flight times several times before departure. I agree about Midwest Express I booked my friends on an ATA flight for $149 while they charged $250 this past Oct. Good Luck!

 

[sgtdisney]

I have flown ATA many times over the years and I have never had a problem with them. As others have posted, they are a no-frills airline for the most part. But then again, what airline isn't anymore since even the majors don't serve meals on most of their domestic flights. ATA has been undergoing a fleet upgrade lately and is in the process of disposing all of their old 727s. They have been purchasing new 757-300s and 737-800s. I flew a brand new ATA 757-300 on 9/10 and it was great. Leather seats and it had that 'new plane' smell. As long as you don't expect the same size seats as Midwest Express with the same pitch you will be fine. On ATA the price is right.

 

[inkkognito]

We fly to Orlando frequently from Chicago and split our trips between American, United, and ATA (whoever gives us the best deal). We have never had any problems with ATA...no big delays, other than one caused by a snowstorm, which was definitely not their fault! I love their brand-new 757s that they are flying a lot to FL now. And now that American and United have stopped serving onboard meals, there really isn't much difference anymore. We already have a couple of flights booked on ATA for 2002. If you get a good deal, go for it!
Barb
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