Flying Air Tran out of Portland - Advice???

[cantwaitforwdw]

We are looking at booking a flight with Air Tran out of Portland and have never done this before...Any tips or advice??? It is just so much cheaper. We are in NS about 7 hours away but it will save us lots of money...

 

[Cottager]

Just remember the extra charges on AirTran. It's $15 for the FIRST bag per person each way, $25 for the SECOND plus an additional $6 per person each way ($20 for exit rows) for reserving your seats in advance. Typically you feel forced to book your seats if you're traveling with young children or you don't want to risk not sitting with the other members of your group. There's also a $75 Change Fee if you change your reservation.

In comparison, Southwest has no baggage fees for the first and second bags and you don't book your seats in advance, you just have to check in online exactly 24 hours in advance to get a spot towards the front of the line to get on the plane. You then can sit anywhere you like and usually with your family if you're towards the front of the line. There's no Change Fee if you need to switch your flights.

It's so tough trying to compare apples to apples nowadays.

Cheers!

 

[Charleyann]

Howard Johnson Hotel has a free park n fly program. Room is about $70 nightly and they shuttle you free, to and from the airport. They can keep your car up to 3 months! I was away for Christmas for a month. Left my car and was impressed with the service. The hotel even gave us a nice room upgrade...

Watch your speed. State troopers everywhere and they are strict! There are two toll boths . No more then $1.20....

Drive safe! We are going again on Feb. 25th and flying out of Portland for $69 and coming back for $89!!!!

Can't believe these prices...

Charleyann

 

[tribus121]

We flew Airtran last month out of Portland Me and they where great . We had a direct flight and really enjoyed not having to change planes . We did not pay the extra fee to select seats but they sat us together on both full flights ( no guarantee)we paid $ 100 at the days inn they have a great continental breakfast ,a indoor pool,and free airport shuttle both ways ,and is located across the street from the Maine mall .

 

[Applemomma]

We stayed at the Howard Johnson's in 2007 and we found it worked well. Really easy to find from the interstate. I think we'd try the Day's Inn next time since it is right across from the Maine Mall and there's a Tim Horton's near by (there's one near the HoJo's too but that raod was a nightmare to try and cross)! And if your kids are of that age there's a Chuckie Cheese at the Mall. It's also really easy to find from I95.

You didn't say where in N.S. you are but driving time for us from the Annapolis Valley was 10 hours.

You might want to compare JetBlue out of Portland too and if you want to save a few hours of driving check out Allegiant Air in Bangor ..... that's who we are planning on using for our 2010 trip. Also, if you are near Yarmouth and are travelling between May 31 and Oct you might consider walking on the Cat ferry and taking a cab to a hotel and then their shuttle to the airport and then not have to worry about your car at all. Won't really save you much money or time but it's an option and the kids won't be stuck in a back seat. When I took the Cat to Portland last year we actually saw a whale!

Have fun with the planning!!

 

[cantwaitforwdw]

I am traveeling from NS/NB border and I just checked Allegiant Air...great prices but it says it flys into Orlando/Sanford...how far to Disney from there?

 

[Charleyann]

It is about 50-55 miles. If you aren't renting a VEHICLE, it is very expensive for shuttles, taxis, etc...

Charleyann

 

[cantwaitforwdw]

Well I did book with Allegiant Air..direct flights $29 down and $59 back for the first two bookings and the rest were $29 down and $119 back - still great prices...and we are renting a vehicle so the drive from Sanford on google shows about an hour to Disney...fingers crossed all goes well!!! Now on to planning the rest of the trip!!! So excited!!!