Great news West Michiganders- Southwest staying at GRR

[stargazertechie]

Southwest announced today that it will continue service at Gerald R Ford as Air Tran until branding changes are complete, at which time Southwest will be flying out of GRR!


Press Release:

GRAND RAPIDS – Southwest Airlines will convert its subsidiary, AirTran Airways, to Southwest operations at Gerald R. Ford International Airport and other domestic and international airports, the company announced today.

“We are committed to continuing to serve these communities – at first via Air Tran, and eventually as Southwest,” Bob Jordan, Southwest chief commercial officer and AirTran president, said in a statement.

The airports that will continue with AirTran before the operation becomes Southwest include Flint, Rochester, N.Y., Pensacola, Fla., Charlotte, N.C., Dayton, Ohio, Richmond, Va., Key West, Fla. , Washington, D.C., Memphis, Tenn., Akron-Canton, Ohio, Wichita, Kan., Des Moines, Iowa, Branson, Mo., and Portland, Maine.

Of the 69 cities served by AirTran when Southwest acquired it on May 2, 2011, 53 are expected convert to Southwest service.

Jordan said fuel costs contributed to the company's decision to discontinue service in some locations.

The Dallas-based Southwest Airlines serves 72 cities in 37 states. It has more than 3,300 flights a day.

AirTran's service at Gerald R. Ford International Airport began in May 2010.

Published: Friday, January 20, 2012, 3:17 PM Updated: Friday, January 20, 2012, 3:25 PM
John Agar | The Grand Rapids Press By John Agar | The Grand Rapids Press

 

[maxiesmom]

YaY!!!!!!!!!!

We got a great deal on Air Tran for our trip this March ($200 non-stop round trip) and I was concerned that that would never happen again. If AT/Southwest pulled out, you can bet flights would go way up! Glad to hear they plan on hanging around for a while.

 

[lotus14]

Are the flights on AirTran/Southwest direct? Which airport do they use in Florida?

 

[Fire14]

Are the flights on AirTran/Southwest direct? Which airport do they use in Florida?

My friend has had direct and Transfers in Midway and Baltimore, MD. They fly into MCO So orlando. Thank you SWA for answering my Prayers and making my life easier

 

[Fire14]

Are the flights on AirTran/Southwest direct? Which airport do they use in Florida?

I just did a pretend booking for Niece who is flying from GRR on May 3rd and coming home May 10. She can Fly nonstop both ways leaving appox 12p from GRR and 2p from MCO.
Or there is 2 stops one in Baltimore, MD and one in Atlanta, GA
Or just 1 stop in BAltimore.

 

[maxiesmom]

I just did a pretend booking for Niece who is flying from GRR on May 3rd and coming home May 10. She can Fly nonstop both ways leaving appox 12p from GRR and 2p from MCO.
Or there is 2 stops one in Baltimore, MD and one in Atlanta, GA
Or just 1 stop in BAltimore.

The non stop flights are the ones we are on this March on our way to WDW.

 

[kstorms27]

Local news reports today say that GRR is going to make a major announcment Monday morning. Really hoping it means SWA is ready to take over. Really hope they continue with the non-stop flights that AirTran has been providing. I did check SWA at Flints Bishop airport and they are offering non-stop.

 

[cjnix29]

Local news reports today say that GRR is going to make a major announcment Monday morning. Really hoping it means SWA is ready to take over. Really hope they continue with the non-stop flights that AirTran has been providing. I did check SWA at Flints Bishop airport and they are offering non-stop.

Oh I hope this is what the announcement is!! Ready to do away with baggage and change fees!!!!

 

[SooooznQ]

Southwest announced today that it will continue service at Gerald R Ford as Air Tran until branding changes are complete, at which time Southwest will be flying out of GRR!


Press Release:

GRAND RAPIDS – Southwest Airlines will convert its subsidiary, AirTran Airways, to Southwest operations at Gerald R. Ford International Airport and other domestic and international airports, the company announced today.

“We are committed to continuing to serve these communities – at first via Air Tran, and eventually as Southwest,” Bob Jordan, Southwest chief commercial officer and AirTran president, said in a statement.

The airports that will continue with AirTran before the operation becomes Southwest include Flint, Rochester, N.Y., Pensacola, Fla., Charlotte, N.C., Dayton, Ohio, Richmond, Va., Key West, Fla. , Washington, D.C., Memphis, Tenn., Akron-Canton, Ohio, Wichita, Kan., Des Moines, Iowa, Branson, Mo., and Portland, Maine.

Of the 69 cities served by AirTran when Southwest acquired it on May 2, 2011, 53 are expected convert to Southwest service.

Jordan said fuel costs contributed to the company's decision to discontinue service in some locations.

The Dallas-based Southwest Airlines serves 72 cities in 37 states. It has more than 3,300 flights a day.

AirTran's service at Gerald R. Ford International Airport began in May 2010.

Published: Friday, January 20, 2012, 3:17 PM Updated: Friday, January 20, 2012, 3:25 PM
John Agar | The Grand Rapids Press By John Agar | The Grand Rapids Press

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE I love SW, and I missed their announcement. Thats SO much handier than DTW or MDW!! Thanks!!

 

[kristenrice]

AirTran has extended their schedule through September, but there are NO flights from GRR in that extension. I checked the SWA site and they have not yet extended their dates. Hmmmm...maybe I'll be flying SWA for the first time in November???

 

[kstorms27]

Although nothing is official yet, at least until after their 11am news conference this morning, you can now book flight out of Grand Rapids on Southwest website. Also, they are offering non-stop flights which is great news.

 

[stargazertechie]

Although nothing is official yet, at least until after their 11am news conference this morning, you can now book flight out of Grand Rapids on Southwest website. Also, they are offering non-stop flights which is great news.

I'm about ready to book a flight today out of GRR to MCO just because I can. The thought of being able to take a 20 minute bus ride to the airport is... heavenly

 

[kristenrice]

Now I just need to wait until they open up November. I am going to miss AirTran and their business class upgrades but it will be nice to watch the purple planes fly over our house I am so glad SWA decided to keep a nonstop option too. I just hope it isn't a 10am return home.

 

[stargazertechie]

Now I just need to wait until they open up November. I am going to miss AirTran and their business class upgrades but it will be nice to watch the purple planes fly over our house I am so glad SWA decided to keep a nonstop option too. I just hope it isn't a 10am return home.

It looks like the latest scheduled return currently is 1PM with 2 stops.
But bad news bears- 10AM nonstop return flight