Booking with AirTran

[P&B's Mom]

I am planning on using AirTran for the first time. They have finally listed flights for June 2008. (I know it is early but 63 year-old DM/GM wants to make sure that we have seats for all six traveling--I know she is crazy, but I am trying to put her mind at ease).

I have a couple of questions for people who have flown AirTran before.

First, the lowest $99 usual fare is not on every flight, just some of them. I don't think that the flight is full because they just published them yesterday. Does it usually take AirTran a few days/weeks to publish all prices? How long does it usually take? May 2008 is completely available at every price, why not June?

Of course, the return flight we want is only showing $134 from Orlando back to Chicago.

Also, does anyone know why they don't show all seats as available? We want to pay the extra $ to choose our seats. Do they open up seats closer to the date we will be flying? I am flying with my "mobility challenged" 66 year-old dad and my ASD (high-functioning) 5 year-old. Obviously, seat choice is very important to all of us!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[cbrfan]

Airfares are typically higher in June than May due to the higher demand when the kiddos are out of school. Airlines price more desirable flights higher than less desirable ones. Sometimes the price goes down, sometimes it only goes higher. If you're comfortable booking at $134 I would book it and watch for a fare reduction and get the difference credited toward a future flight. With seating being a factor I would also pay for the advance seating. To get seats nearer the front you would have to pay the regular fare. Not worth going that high, I don't feel. You can wait until 24 hours before your flight when those seats open up and hope to score a few of them at no charge.

 

[keishashadow]

Last time they extended the schedule the prices for our upcoming return trip home early Dec. from TPA, they were sky-high

i called CS & they said it'd take a few days for them to input all the correct rates; sure enough they adjusted...however; all the flights were initially the same amount as I recall

 

[P&B's Mom]

We booked yesterday. Most of the fares were down to the $99. Some where not and I don't know why, but they were not the flights we were interested in booking.

Next step--ADR's!!!