Can someone explain some AIRTRAN 101 to me...

[shopn24seven]

Considering buying AIRTRAN flights for a change.
I have a flight at 6pm and I have heard that Airtran can change your flights...
ALSO can you print out your eticket like SW does?

Anthing else I should know?

 

[Traveliz]

Airtran (and any other carrier) can change your flight times. Apparently where i live they rarely do it as I have never had that problem.

I don't know what an e-ticket is from Southwest (we don't have Southwest) but you will get a confirmation number. You can take that with you - but really you just need to know your name to check in.

Liz

 

[shopn24seven]

I never knew they could change your flight time.
Can you get a boarding pass prior to flying or do you get that at check in,
SW had online checking and a printable boarding pass.
Thank you.

 

[Minniekins]

Okay, here's some things you should know!

Yes, you can print your boarding pass at home!

They may change your flight time but usually it's no problem for them to switch you to a flight time that you see fits you better, I think within 24 hours before or after your flight time. It could be by 5 min or 3-4 hours or total cancellation! Not always convenient, but at least they work with you on it. If nothing works for you they will refund your money if your request that instead. I haven't had them switch my times more than maybe a half hour and the flight times stay pretty steady it seems, at least here for what I've kept an eye on. I like them enough to keep flying AT, they have some great fares compared to other airlines. I just keep checking often, at least once a day, to keep an eye on flight times. They aren't the best at notifying you right away, but they usually eventually send you an email to accept or not the time change. Most people want to know right away to get the best choice of times to choose from before they get booked up.

Oh, and they charge $6 to choose a seat assignment prior to 24 hours to your flight. You can wait til 24 hour mark and then choose for free from whatever is there then. They charge at least $15 per first checked bag, (though someone said 20 the other day so Idk about that), $25 the second.

If you are traveling before 12/18 (I'm going 1/2/10 of course, so this stinks for me, darn it, lol!) they have a $25 coupon you can use towards the fare. Find it here: airtran.com/sunshine . If you book each way separately, use two separate email addresses and you save $50!

You may know lots of this already anyway, but you did ask for things you should know! So, hope some of this info was helpful!

 

[shopn24seven]

Gee, if the changed your flight time by TOO much time, you could miss your hotel reservation, couldn't you???

Didn't know you could use the sunshine code for 2 ONE ways. LOL.

 

[Traveliz]

Gee, if the changed your flight time by TOO much time, you could miss your hotel reservation, couldn't you???

Didn't know you could use the sunshine code for 2 ONE ways. LOL.

That would be extremely rare - typically the change is within the same day -- but often a few hours is enough to upset travelers. The only reason you would end up going out on a different day would be due to weather delays or flights that are cancelled all together and are not going out of the airport at all anymore.

And honestly those are things that can happen with any airline.

Liz

 

[shopn24seven]

I have been delayed an hour, ONCE, in my lifetime.
I guess I never noticed it happening that much.

 

[dudspizza]

I have been delayed an hour, ONCE, in my lifetime.
I guess I never noticed it happening that much.

You bring up SW and that may be why you really don't see flight changes. SW is one of the only carriers to set a schedule and keep to it. Delays can happen with any carrier, but SW is very good about not changing flight times.

Most carriers post their flight schedules 7-11 months in advance. There can be many unforseen circumstances that would require them to make flight changes.

Airtran does change flight times, so if you go with them, make sure you can live with the changes. If you can't, you call them and see if they will change you. They are good about moving you to a better flight for you.

I have had my Airtran flights changed every time I have flown them. I have gone with the changes and I have also called to switch my flight....

Best thing to do is be flexible and relax. Most people get into trouble when they plan a ADR 2 hours after their flight is supposed to land. I treat my travel day as such, a travel day.

Best of luck. I personally have no issues booking Airtran.

Duds

 

[shopn24seven]

Funny you mention ADR, because last flight on SW was delayed, and I was an hour late for an ADR. Never again will I have ADR on first night in WDW. LOL.

 

[Minniekins]

Gee, if the changed your flight time by TOO much time, you could miss your hotel reservation, couldn't you???

Didn't know you could use the sunshine code for 2 ONE ways. LOL.

Well, I suppose if they move it 3 or 4 hours, maybe, depending on when your reservation is I suppose you could, but before that were to happen you should try to choose another flight that works better for you. There should be something they offer in the 24 hrs prior to that flight time or after that could work for you and if not, you can cancel, get a refund and rebook elsewhere. But, I've not ever had anything that drastic happen.

Regarding the sunshine code, they will send one per email address so you could open up a free email account and request the coupon and then use one each way. Make the two accounts you need for each in your party. I really wish the dates had worked for me, I seem to miss them every time we take a trip, our dates are just out of the time, lol!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Gee, if the changed your flight time by TOO much time, you could miss your hotel reservation, couldn't you???

Didn't know you could use the sunshine code for 2 ONE ways. LOL.

Well, let's see. Most changes - other than weather or sudden equipment issues - are set well in advance. Plenty of time to change / secure / guarantee a hotel reservation. Even with 'sudden' delays the passenger can still notify the hotel that they're still coming and about what time. Plus, guaranteed/deposited/paid hotel reservations are, by standard practice, held for the guest until 6 AM the following calendar day.

But not all changes are delays. Many have the flight departing earlier than originally scheduled.

You don't ever need to print out an e-ticket. It's an electronic ticket, i.e. placeholder. Your reservation information is in the airline's computerized reservation system. You simply need to produce the required identification (driver's license, passport, etc.). You can, on the other hand, check in for your flight online and print your boarding pass - a different document from the e-ticket. Any airline will allow this 24 hours before flight departure; it's often not necessary - unless, say, you book on AirTran but opt not to preselect your seats.