Got a question with Airtran

[offtheice]

Right now I am finding the best fares with airtran from phl to mco in march . My question for those that have purchased web prices, when you ck in the 24 hr period time , do I have to worry that my 3 yr old is going to end up with a seat one end of the plane and we are on the other side because someone out there decided to purchase the more expensive tickets picking there seats???

 

[TDC Nala]

Been sort of wondering that myself...I don't want to stop at the ticket counter. If I can get my seat assigned at the gate, that'd be great...

 

[offtheice]

Been sort of wondering that myself...I don't want to stop at the ticket counter. If I can get my seat assigned at the gate, that'd be great...

Yep Tdc. I am trying to figure it out before Fri when I get my tax return and I can buy the airline tickets. Atlantic City Airport with spirit is 10 min from my house ,but 125 more.. I am trying to decide if I spend that extra money for a 10 min drive or fly out of philly which is 45 min away and have to worry about the seating with my kids ..

 

[yellowfish78]

Flight attendents will NOT allow a 3 year old to sit alone (ie..without a parent or guardian). They will politely ask others to move. The same goes for the people behind the ticket counter. If you're checking in online at home 24 hours prior, you should have no problems.
Since neither Airtran and Spirit participate in online check-in from the resorts, more than likely everyone else on your flight will not be checking in early either.
I don't see a problem with seat assignments at all. You could be on a flight with Delta or Continental and have seats assigned and then you check-in and see your in different seats anyways.
Also, on a side note, if you book Airtran with a TA, they can assign seats for you, no matter what class of service you book.

 

[glass slipper girl]

check and see if a local TA will book it for you. They get to pick the seats at the time of booking. I like knowing my seat is picked already and we always have pretty much a "free pick" of the plane too. I think only once have we had an issue where someone else had already reserved a seat we wanted.

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

We check in online 24 hours ahead when DH brings the laptop & we are around. Otherwise, I have a friend/family do the online check-in for me (not a problem not having the boarding pass printouts...just get them at checkin).

Flown on Airtran several times now & have never had a problem getting all seats together. I have 2 small children & have always purchased the lowest fares without seat assigments.

Good luck.
Mickey & Minnie Mom

 

[runner26.2]

We flew Airtran in November with our three children. I went online 24 hours in advance and had no problem getting 5 seats across (3 on one side aisle, 2 on the other). On our return trip I went to Guest Relations at the resort 24 hours in advance and asked nicely if they could go online and get my seats. They were happy to do so. This was at POR and I've read similiar posts of others doing the same at other WDW resorts. I see no reason other hotels wouldn't accomodate you.

 

[keishashadow]

Trust me, no one wants to sit next to an unattended 3 year old...they'll make accommodations for you if it's brought to the flight attendents attention.

Unless the plane is @ max capacity, the seats in the back of plane usually are all open.

If you can't check in on-line 24 hours out, stop @ desk when you enter airport...Good luck.

 

[puffkin]

We have never had a problem getting seats together when checking in at airport, even when we flew with a party of 6.

 

[ChrisAlli]

Last Oct we used Airtran out of PHL. I purchased my tickets through a TA but we didn't pick our seats at that time. Then I learned on these boards that children in car seats need to be next to the window. Both mine we going to be. I e-mailed Airtran about this and they assigned our seats at that time. When we checked in at the airport the seats were the same as my e-mail.

A neighbor went a few months after and had purchased tickets over the phone, told them about small children, no car seats and were assigned seats then and when they printed out boarding passes 24 hours before, had seats that were promised.

Plus I thought they couldn't seat any child under 12 traveling with an adult, by themselves? Call Airtran and ask their policy.

 

[VacationDad]

I just flew AirTran and they allow you to checkin online 24 hours in advance. Both times their computer automatically selected seats that were together, and when I clicked on the seats to change them, I saw a lot of available seats.

Don't tell anyone but I don't think that many passengers are actually checking in online 24 hours in advance. That makes it nice for those of us who are clued in.

 

[offtheice]

I just flew AirTran and they allow you to checkin online 24 hours in advance. Both times their computer automatically selected seats that were together, and when I clicked on the seats to change them, I saw a lot of available seats.

Don't tell anyone but I don't think that many passengers are actually checking in online 24 hours in advance. That makes it nice for those of us who are clued in.

thanks all for the info.. just wanted to make sure before I spend atlittle more to fly out Ac or take the cheaper routh and fly air out of philly..

 

[DebbieB]

I've flown AirTran many times, I've never had a problem with picking seats 24 hours in advance. Very few people buy the expensive seats that allow advance selection.