ATA vs SW vs Spirit Air

[sncbird]

We're trying to book our tickets for our trip in June to WDW. We're trying to decided to whether to fly out of O'Hare or Midway to Orlando. We also have only flown United and have decided to try ATA, Southwest or Spirit Air. Any recommendations or suggestions would be greatly apprecaited!!!

 

[inkkognito]

We are big fans of ATA. We go on a Disney cruise nearly every other month, and lately they're the only ones we've been flying. I don't like the cattle call with Soutwest...on ATA, you get assigned seats. Also, they fly nice, new planes. Usually they have 757-300s on the Midway to MCO route, but sometimes it's a 737-800. You can buy headphones for $2 that you can keep and use at any time in the future for the audio and video/audio in-flight entertainment. We have never had a bad delay with them, other than a snow-related one (which of course wasn't their fault). Other than that, there was a minor mechanical problem once that held us up for 45 minutes, but we gained back a lot of the time once we were in the air and arrived at MCO almost at our scheduled time. The only ongoing annoyance is that they tend to be slow with the luggage, particularly at Midway (it took an hour when we returned from our trip last weekend). But at least they've never lost it, and other than that we've had really good experiences. They also have e-ticket check-in at both Midway and MCO.
I used to dislike the "new" Midway, but now that I am used to it, it has really grown on me and I definitely prefer it to O'Hare (although the short runways make me feel like flapping my arms sometimes to assist in take-off in those stretch 757's!).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[sncbird]

Thanks inkkognito!!!! I have heard good things about ATA. DO you know if they have non-stop flights from MDW to MCO?

 

[sgtdisney]

sncbird, I have used ATA a lot as well out of MDW to MCO as well as to FLL. They do have non-stops to MCO out of MDW, usually 3 or 4 to chose from a day. I have never had a bad experience using ATA in 10 years of using them. I prefer to fly out of ORD when possible if the price is the same, it is just more convenient to me. But ATA has some fares that are pretty hard to beat. Their new planes are pretty nice with leather seats and articulating headrests and as inkkognito described you can buy earphones for their inflight entertainment and you can keep them to use over and over again. They are pretty typical in the industry where you get no meal service on the Chicago to Florida runs but no one serves meals in coach anymore. I also prefer the assigned seating that ATA offers. Southwest does not offer pre-assigned seating, not so sure about Spirit, but I don't think they assign seating until you check in at the airport.

Good luck!

P.S. I grew up in Bartlett.

 

[littlestar]

We fly ATA out of Indianapolis a lot and really like them. We signed up for ATA's Anniversary travel award promotion. After three flights, you get a free companion ticket.

 

[sncbird]

Thanks so much for the replies!! I'll check out ATA and see what they have to offer

sgtdisney - glad to meet someone form the same area!! We've lived in Bartlett for 9 years and just love it!!!

 

[Illinois Mark]

We are flying Spirit Air for the first time leaving in June. We have always flown United or American to Orlando but tyring something new because tickets were much less expensive. We did not want to drive to Midway so Spirit was our only low cost airline choice from O'Hare that was non-stop. Have heard good things about them and we will see in June. Only concern is no assigned seats until we check in. With two kids that is a little concerning but will take our chances.

 

[Tetonman]

I just booked our airfare on ATA from MDW to MCO for 4/11-14. We have a stop in Indy on the way down, but non-stop back home. Price was much better than anyone elses at $185 including taxes and fees.

I normally fly united, but at $350+, the difference is too much. With ATA's fares, it's like flying the kids for free. Seat reservations are key with us as well since we have a 4 year old and 2 year old. Our infant will sit on my lap...

Good luck and have fun...

Tetonman

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by Tetonman
We have a stop in Indy on the way down, but non-stop back home.

Doesn't ATA fly those smaller prop-jets on the Chicago to Indianapolis run? You will have to let us know how it is to fly on those. I have never been on one of ATA's commuter planes...

 

[fa mulan]

. . .was fine for us! We just returned on 2/15, and used them for the first time this trip. On the return flight, they were right on time... even arrived a little early. On the flight to MCO, however, they did leave an hour late, and it even the flight crew was standing, waiting for the plane to pull up to the gate. Otherwise, everything was fine. Getting seat assignments at the gate was no problem either (and we also have 2 kids), but that might be a good reason to show up on the early side.

 

[inkkognito]

So Spirit will not give you a seat assignment until you check in? You can't get one when you book your seats? We have never flown them but would consider it if they were cheapest, but not if we couldn't get our assignment ahead of time.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[fa mulan]

It's funny; I never even thought about the seating assn'ments, and got them when we first checked our bags at the ticket counter. B/c our kids are 7 & 3, I don't think they had any choice but to seat us at least 2 and 2 (which would've been fine), but they managed to get us altogether across in the same row. It just worked out. Lots of other families w/ kids were on the flight too. They were the cheapest direct flights ($184) at the time, which was why I booked them. I would use Spirit again.