Has Airtran ever done this to you????

[PoohsFan1]

We are flying Airtran for the first time in December. We paid for our seats because we have two kids that are a twee bit nervous when it comes to flying so we wanted to make sure that my DH and I are sitting next to each one. Well our flights have been bumped a few times (for the good), but yesterday I happen to check to see how full the planes (to and from) are going to be when we go. Well, since they bumped our flight, going, my DD and I have someone sitting between us and its the same with my DH and my other DD. We eventually got the situation resolved, the rep put us up towards the front of the plane instead of being towards the back. But I was just curious if this has ever happened to anyone else. I could understand if they moved your seats because you didn't pay the seat fee, but since we paid for it, wouldn't you think that they should be set?

 

[Hannathy]

Happens all the time on all the airlines. Once they move your flight they just plop you in wherever on the next flight. One trip we were in 4 different places in the plane. If you catch it sometimes you can pick new seats but sometimes when they combine flights there are barely any seats left and the people who were originally on the flight have had first choice.

having a person in between is no big deal, usually they will gladly scoot over 1 to not be in the middle and if not it also isn't a big deal you are only 24 inches at most away from each other and I think anyone could live thru that for 1 flight.

 

[mckinley]

We are flying airtran first time in December as well, i to paid for our seats so we could sit by dd9. She gets really upset at her stomach before each flight happens everytime. Once we take off she seems to be okay though, but there is no way she would make it by herself. I have been keeping any eye on our flights at least once a day sometime more just hoping they don't change us. Surely the person will switch with you. There was one time that we was on SW and not one person would move so a lady could be next to her small child though.

 

[crashbb]

Does AirTran refund the money you paid for your seats?

The airline I usually fly only charges for seat selection for their lowest fare class which I rarely, if ever, purchase. However, it states that they may have to change your seat, but that, if they do, you will get your money back.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Reminder: Your ticket purchase through the contract of carriage only guarantees a seat on a flight that departs and arrives on the same day originally booked. Seat assignments (including payment of them - which is a whole customer service issue IMO), actual flights, connection numbers, times, etc are not guaranteed, although most airlines will work with customer to resolve issues.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Yes this happened to us for our recent flight last month. I usually book our Airtran flights well in advance (6 months) and know that there is a good chance the flight or plane will change. We are a family of five and I prepurchased our seats in one row...2 on one side..3 on the other. Around 3 months prior to the trip they changed our flight to a larger plane and put someone between my daughter and I. I used their website to change our seats to a different location behind my husband and other kids. It worked out fine.

In 2007 Airtran actually eliminated the direct flight we booked and rebooked us with a connection. I called and they got us back on a direct flight. I always fly airtran, so I know the way it goes. I pull up our flights about every two weeks from the time I book until our flight just to see what's going on in case they make a change!

 

[Anal Annie]

We have been using Air Tran a lot and they mess with their flight schedules a lot. We are a family of 3 so I always book us on the right side of the plane because sometimes they start out with a plane type that has 3 seats on either side of the aisle but then they may change to a type that has 3 & 2 - the 3 will always be on the right. We also pay to have assigned seats and the other thing to watch for is if they change the flight numbers...your seat assignments don't always follow you. If they leave the flight # alone & they just change the time then you should be OK...but there ARE a lot of things that you sort of have to watch for with them.... I am getting used to the hassles for the price paid.

ALSO, sign up for their Rewards + acct. for each member of your family. You are eligible for an upgrade with only 4 flights in a year completed (2 round trips). So for example LAST year we went in July then May and again in August. Our flights in May made us eligible to redeem vouchers which were good for an upgrade to Business class for one way on our Aug. trip! AND they gave me my money back in the form of a credit for the seating assignments on that one flight! Now I am looking at booking a trip for spring break so guess what? I will have that $18 seating credit to apply & then we will have our 2nd round trip AGAIN...so eligible for another upgrade in the summer... That's the kind of cycle I like!!

 

[supersuperwendy]

We have been using Air Tran a lot and they mess with their flight schedules a lot. We are a family of 3 so I always book us on the right side of the plane because sometimes they start out with a plane type that has 3 seats on either side of the aisle but then they may change to a type that has 3 & 2 - the 3 will always be on the right. We also pay to have assigned seats and the other thing to watch for is if they change the flight numbers...your seat assignments don't always follow you. If they leave the flight # alone & they just change the time then you should be OK...but there ARE a lot of things that you sort of have to watch for with them.... I am getting used to the hassles for the price paid.

ALSO, sign up for their Rewards + acct. for each member of your family. You are eligible for an upgrade with only 4 flights in a year completed (2 round trips). So for example LAST year we went in July then May and again in August. Our flights in May made us eligible to redeem vouchers which were good for an upgrade to Business class for one way on our Aug. trip! AND they gave me my money back in the form of a credit for the seating assignments on that one flight! Now I am looking at booking a trip for spring break so guess what? I will have that $18 seating credit to apply & then we will have our 2nd round trip AGAIN...so eligible for another upgrade in the summer... That's the kind of cycle I like!!

So you have your child signed up too? I only have ever added my number and never even thought about signing my husband up. If we could add the kids that would be great. We are DVC and fly down a lot...so it could add up!

 

[Anal Annie]

So you have your child signed up too? I only have ever added my number and never even thought about signing my husband up. If we could add the kids that would be great. We are DVC and fly down a lot...so it could add up!

Yep...all of us. We all have frequent flyer accts. with Air Tran, Jet Blue, American, Delta...all the ones we've ever used. Ya never know. We used to use Delta a lot (back in the day b4 all these newer airlines) and until they stopped direct flights from our area. I refuse to do anything but non-stop for a 2 hr. flight. We are also DVC so we go to Disney 2-3 times a year...I will book us on whoever's cheapest but that's the neat thing about keeping all on one airline if you can. I like getting rewards!! You may be able to go back & get credit for the rest of your family in a retro-active way - I would definitely call & ask!!

Anyway, we went to Hawaii on skymiles with Delta the last time we went (transfered Amex. Reward points). I am ALWAYS lookin' for a deal! LOL... We have a lot of miles accrued on a cr. card too...but I keep hangin' onto them....thinking maybe will need them for our NEXT trip to Hawaii when they open the DVC at Ko'Olina!!! I love the idea that we could possibly do our next trip to Hawaii with nothing out of pocket except for a rental car & spending money!!

 

[supersuperwendy]

Yep...all of us. We all have frequent flyer accts. with Air Tran, Jet Blue, American, Delta...all the ones we've ever used. Ya never know. We used to use Delta a lot (back in the day b4 all these newer airlines) and until they stopped direct flights from our area. I refuse to do anything but non-stop for a 2 hr. flight. We are also DVC so we go to Disney 2-3 times a year...I will book us on whoever's cheapest but that's the neat thing about keeping all on one airline if you can. I like getting rewards!! You may be able to go back & get credit for the rest of your family in a retro-active way - I would definitely call & ask!!

Anyway, we went to Hawaii on skymiles with Delta the last time we went (transfered Amex. Reward points). I am ALWAYS lookin' for a deal! LOL... We have a lot of miles accrued on a cr. card too...but I keep hangin' onto them....thinking maybe will need them for our NEXT trip to Hawaii when they open the DVC at Ko'Olina!!! I love the idea that we could possibly do our next trip to Hawaii with nothing out of pocket except for a rental car & spending money!!

Oh Ko Olina is on my brain too!!!

I was just able to sign my husband up! I need to call to add the kids, but they are closed today. Since our last trip was within 90 days the flights can be added!!!!

 

[mitsybella]

We are flying Airtran for the first time in December. We paid for our seats because we have two kids that are a twee bit nervous when it comes to flying so we wanted to make sure that my DH and I are sitting next to each one. Well our flights have been bumped a few times (for the good), but yesterday I happen to check to see how full the planes (to and from) are going to be when we go. Well, since they bumped our flight, going, my DD and I have someone sitting between us and its the same with my DH and my other DD. We eventually got the situation resolved, the rep put us up towards the front of the plane instead of being towards the back. But I was just curious if this has ever happened to anyone else. I could understand if they moved your seats because you didn't pay the seat fee, but since we paid for it, wouldn't you think that they should be set?

Same thing happened to me and I was told that there was not actually anyone between us, they block the seat incase they switch the plane back to a smaller plane (which they did to me a few weeks later) I still did not feel comfortable so I did switch my seats, they could still sell the seat inbetween as it gets closer to the flight or if they combine/cancel another flight so I felt better moving seats

 

[ParrotBill]

Same thing happened to me and I was told that there was not actually anyone between us, they block the seat incase they switch the plane back to a smaller plane (which they did to me a few weeks later) I still did not feel comfortable so I did switch my seats, they could still sell the seat inbetween as it gets closer to the flight or if they combine/cancel another flight so I felt better moving seats

Same happened to me in May. Ended up with 3 separate seats but got someone who ended up in the middle seat to switch with my extra aisle seat (easily). it still annoyed the &^% out me that I paid for seat assignments and the best I could get was 3 separated seats on a plane that was lightly booked. I asked customer services about this and they said I should call next time and request they release the middle seat so we have them... then the worst case is they downgrade the aircraft and we end up with 2 together and one separate.