Do you prefer Southwest or Airtran?

[Angela0917]

Do you prefer Southwest or Airtran? We've always automatically booked through SW without comparing to any other airlines, but the earliest flight to MCO on our check in day is 12:30, which we would land in Orlando at 2:30pm. We like to fly in early in the morning so we have that whole day to spend at the park. I was looking at other airlines and I saw that Airtran has an early morning flight and that time would be perfect. I know these 2 just merged, so maybe there really isn't much difference? I know that you have to pay baggage fees with Airtran, but from what I read its only $20 a bag, right? I believe you can pick your seats ahead of time through Airtran, which would be a plus for us also. I've never gotten the early bird checkin with Southwest and I've never had any problems with us sitting together, but I still panic about it every time. Maybe it's time to switch it up and try a new airline.

 

[Angela0917]

Oh, and my other option is to fly in SW the evening before and book a night at a value resort and head over to AKV the next morning for the rest of the trip. A pain in the butt, but we'd have the whole next day to use at the park.

 

[pigletto]

I won't be able to properly answer this question until August. That's when we will try Airtran for the first time. I will say though that we had an excellent experience with their customer service recently. They changed the times on one of our flights and it didn't work for us at all. I was so worried.
I called in and they not only gave us a more expensive non stop flight but let us change to a closer airport for no additional fees.
The flights I had purchased were around 800 dollars. Our new ones are around 2400.00 right now
Because it was them that changed the flight, they accepted all responsibility for moving us and were very very helpful.
That alone has made me one very happy customer!!
I also exclusively flew Southwest .. I am looking forward to not having to check in on the dot to get a decent seat.
I'm not thrilled to pay for bags.. but really, paying so much less on Airtran for the tickets than I would have with Southwest makes it better.


ETA) Just read your second post. We're doing one night at a value due to getting in late as well. It's not too big of a deal to move really. Pack a carry on with what you need for the morning and leave the luggage closed. Bell services will transfer your luggage to AKL for you. All you'll need to do is take a taxi over and check in.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Airtran will soon be absorbed by SWA, so don't get too attached!

 

[aubriee]

Airtran will soon be absorbed by SWA, so don't get too attached!

I know and am soooo sad! We love, love, love Air Tran. They have the best customer service. They've always been the cheapest flying out of DFW. Unfortunately the last Air Tran flight out of DFW is Nov 21st. Due to the Wright Ammendment Southwest doesn't fly out of DFW and they're discontinuing all Air Tran flights as of Nov 22nd. Southwest is several hundred dollars higher. With no competition out of DFW now, American Airlines will be able to charge whatever they want.

With Southwest taking over, we lose our direct/nonstop flights to MCO, can no longer fly out of our favorite airport, will no longer be able to choose our seats, will no longer be able to use our A+ Rewards to upgrade to first class, lose our preferred early morning departure flights, and in exchange for all of that, we get to pay alot more for our tickets.

To OP: Air Tran is our prefered airline. We love them. Unfortunately my last flight on them will be Sept 10th and Sept 18th. Enjoy them while you can!

 

[DebbieB]

I have flown both out of PIT, they are fine. I would choose whichever has the best price & times.

I don't think it's coincidence that SW has taken away their morning flight from PIT right after they closed the purchase of AirTran. That was always a full flight.

 

[TaraPA]

Another thumbs up for Airtran here

 

[bytheblood]

I prefer Southwest. For us, the fare is less expensive and we don't pay bag fees. We generally go for 8 - 12 days, so we take 2 bags each. We generally pay about $100 each way on Southwest. On Airtran, even if we get $79 each way, we still go over $100 once we pay for bags. Also, our airport for Southwest is easier to get in and out of than our airport for Airtran.

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

We used to always fly SWA out of Indy, but recently have been using AirTran because SW's flight times are horrible. They used to have great nonstops, but not anymore. Add to that their prices are much higher than other airlines and I barely look at them anymore. Even with a bag fee, AirTran is cheaper.

I don't know if the "low" oil prices they locked in a few years back have run out, but their prices now run higher than Delta and AA for the routes we take. It used to never be that way.


Rachel

 

[pigletto]

We used to always fly SWA out of Indy, but recently have been using AirTran because SW's flight times are horrible. They used to have great nonstops, but not anymore. Add to that their prices are much higher than other airlines and I barely look at them anymore. Even with a bag fee, AirTran is cheaper.

I don't know if the "low" oil prices they locked in a few years back have run out, but their prices now run higher than Delta and AA for the routes we take. It used to never be that way.


Rachel

The low fuel prices they locked in did indeed run out. Southwest is as expensive or worse than any airline out of Buffalo now too.

 

[DonnaL]

We use both and love both......SWA is my first choice, however, we are 2 hrs from PHL so it's a pain to fly back from MCO and then still have a 2 hr drive....so usually we rent a car for the drive to PHL and catch a mid-morning flight on SWA from PHL to MCO and for our return we fly to ABE (Lehigh Valley, PA), which is only an hour drive, on Airtran and rent a car to drive home. The flight to ABE from MCO (only one a day) is a turnaround, leaving MCO about 2:45 p.m. and arriving at ABE around 5:00 p.m. then returning to MCO that evening. We have also done round trip from ABE on Airtran, but, you don't get to MCO until close to 9:00 p.m. and it truly is a wasted first day/night. We find the cost of two one way car rentals is about the same or maybe $20 more than parking our car at either PHL or ABE, given the fact it's also less gas on the way home.

 

[Angela0917]

Thanks so much everyone! I'm going to keep watching and see which airline has the best prices!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Southwest...

On time, nice employees

AirTran

I have NEVER actually been on one of their planes that left on time. Employees seem not to really know how to do thier jobs and gate agents in Atlanta are just RUDE!

HURRY SW! I just hope that you can change the culture in Atlanta, it's going to be tough.

 

[terbethk]

I know and am soooo sad! We love, love, love Air Tran. They have the best customer service. They've always been the cheapest flying out of DFW. Unfortunately the last Air Tran flight out of DFW is Nov 21st. Due to the Wright Ammendment Southwest doesn't fly out of DFW and they're discontinuing all Air Tran flights as of Nov 22nd. Southwest is several hundred dollars higher. With no competition out of DFW now, American Airlines will be able to charge whatever they want.

With Southwest taking over, we lose our direct/nonstop flights to MCO, can no longer fly out of our favorite airport, will no longer be able to choose our seats, will no longer be able to use our A+ Rewards to upgrade to first class, lose our preferred early morning departure flights, and in exchange for all of that, we get to pay alot more for our tickets.

To OP: Air Tran is our prefered airline. We love them. Unfortunately my last flight on them will be Sept 10th and Sept 18th. Enjoy them while you can!

we feel the same way. Very very very sad about this merger. We much prefer airtran to southwest. I don't mind paying to choose my seat or for baggage (which we do check). We flew both southwest and airtran last year for our trip and we definitely prefer airtran. Especially since southwest jacked up their flight prices.
I'm starting to worry we may have to drive next year. Last year we paid both $84 each way through both airtran and southwest. Currently, airtran has flights at $94, and the cheapest I'm finding on southwest is $139

 

[Gary M]

I always pick Air Tran over SWA. I'm sad about the merger.

 

[Inkmahm]

Southwest...

On time, nice employees

AirTran

I have NEVER actually been on one of their planes that left on time. Employees seem not to really know how to do thier jobs and gate agents in Atlanta are just RUDE!

HURRY SW! I just hope that you can change the culture in Atlanta, it's going to be tough.

I would say Airtran is on time and nice employees. Their flights are mostly on time or EARLY in my experience. I do agree with the rude gate agents but I encountered them in Orlando on one flight. One out of many, so that's not normal for them in my experience.

I was looking forward to Southwest coming to Milwaukee about a year and a half ago. I have never found a flight on SW that I didn't find better times and cheaper fares on Airtran. I finally gave up looking at their schedule as it was a waste of time. I just go with Airtran.

 

[Inkmahm]

I always pick Air Tran over SWA. I'm sad about the merger.

Amen to that. I'm hoping SW won't be as bad as I'm expecting.

 

[Angela0917]

I won't be able to properly answer this question until August. That's when we will try Airtran for the first time. I will say though that we had an excellent experience with their customer service recently. They changed the times on one of our flights and it didn't work for us at all. I was so worried.
I called in and they not only gave us a more expensive non stop flight but let us change to a closer airport for no additional fees.
The flights I had purchased were around 800 dollars. Our new ones are around 2400.00 right now
Because it was them that changed the flight, they accepted all responsibility for moving us and were very very helpful.
That alone has made me one very happy customer!!
I also exclusively flew Southwest .. I am looking forward to not having to check in on the dot to get a decent seat.
I'm not thrilled to pay for bags.. but really, paying so much less on Airtran for the tickets than I would have with Southwest makes it better.


ETA) Just read your second post. We're doing one night at a value due to getting in late as well. It's not too big of a deal to move really. Pack a carry on with what you need for the morning and leave the luggage closed. Bell services will transfer your luggage to AKL for you. All you'll need to do is take a taxi over and check in.

If we were to just stay at a value, do you need to take a taxi over? Would we be able to just wake up and go to the park and then just take bus back to AKL when we're ready to go back? Does it work like Magical Express how everything is dropped off at your room, or do you have to be there? I am not sure yet if we're going to bring my son's carseat, so we won't be able to use a taxi.

 

[pigletto]

If we were to just stay at a value, do you need to take a taxi over? Would we be able to just wake up and go to the park and then just take bus back to AKL when we're ready to go back? Does it work like Magical Express how everything is dropped off at your room, or do you have to be there? I am not sure yet if we're going to bring my son's carseat, so we won't be able to use a taxi.

Sorry I am not seeing this until now.. I hope you check back. Sure you could have your luggage sent over, go to a park and bus back. I always like to go to the new resort and get checked in but now that you mention it.. there's really no reason for it
It probably does make more sense to have your luggage sent over and hit rope drop, and then go to the new place to check in on an afternoon break maybe? I'm actually going to do this on our upcoming trip. Saves me the cab fare, and I won't miss rope drop

 

[RumpleMom]

At Pittsburgh, we currently have both AirTran and Southwest as the only nonstop flights to MCO.

Both airlines are fine. Southwest has wonderful customer service and allows you to rebook a lower fare for a credit on a future flight for no charge.

All of their seats are available for a reward flight with no black-out dates.

I'm a little concerned that we won't have the competition between the two airlines once they merge.