IN Need of Help!!

[wdwfamilyinIL]

I know I have asked questions before, and I thank all of you that have helped me out. Here is my situation, and I really can't figure out what to do. I have been waiting with several for SW to open up fares for May, we are flying 19-26 from Indy to Orlando. My dilema here is what times will the SW schedule offer, and at what price? The other part of the dilema is do I just go ahead and book with Airtran, who does have a decent time ns to orlando from Indy. My big thing with Airtran is one I can't pick seats, and there are 7 of us going, there seems to be some bad experiences from Airtran, and the last is right now there are supposed to be having a sale....I can get the leg from indy to orlando for 74, but then orlando to indy is 87....In the email I received both legs were supposed to be 87. Someone please help. Thanks

 

[debster812]

Well....with SWA you won't be able to choose your own seats either. Until you are actually onthe plane.

If you book AirTran, when you check in online (24hrs in advance) you should be able to choose seats then.

You can probably 'guesstimate' what times/flights etc SWA will be offering by looking at what's there now. There could be some changes, but nothing too dramatic I don't think.

 

[Jestocost]

The latest rumors have SW opening up their schedule either this Thursday or next. As far as flight times go, you can check their weekly schedule for the first part of May and that's probably what you'll be looking at for the rest of the month. It would be unusual if they made significant changes. Price is a different issue and it's tough to say what their fares will be. You probably can check their unrestricted or advance purchase fares for the beginning of May to get a sense of where the ceiling might be, but I have no idea what the Internet specials, Fun Fares, etc. will be.

As far as picking seats goes, you do know that SW has no assigned seats and boards by groups based on check-in times, right? Therefore, getting seats together depends on 1) if your flight originates somewhere else and stops in IND and how many passengers stay on from the first airport, 2) If you get an A, B or C boarding pass (checking in online 24 hours in advance should get you an A), and (possibly) 3) where you get in the line for your group. (If you're at the back of the A line, probably OK. At the back of the B or anywhere in C, maybe not).

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

Didn't know that about SW boarding. Anyone have any ideas of why one leg of airtran is 74, and the other is 87?

 

[dsnymomof4]

I can't comment on the price difference, but just wanted to reassure you - we've flown Airtran several times and love it. We are able to check online in 24 hours before at which time we pick our seats. On every flight (except the last that was delayed because of fog) we've arrived ahead of our scheduled time. They are very friendly and we've had very positive experiences each time. Good luck!

 

[Hannathy]

As far as the price difference are they on different days of the week? Many times the more popular days to fly are more than the less popular ones.

Please be aware that for every airline out there you will hear good and bad stories.....

 

[salmoneous]

I'm a huge SW fan. But given a sure thing and cheap price from AirTran, I'd go ahead and book their flight in a heartbeat.

 

[Blondiex46]

I also have flown airtran to FLA and had no trouble whatsoever Thanksgiving 2005