Independence Air - report

[riu girl]

Just back from WDW/Daytona Beach.
Flew BUF-IAD-MCO Dec 18 - Dec 31 with Independence Air


Dec 18
Check-in at BUF was a breeze. It was about 5 am and we were the only ones in line.
Flew BUF-IAD on a CRJ (50 seater plane). There were only about 15 passengers. The service (check-in at BUF, flight crew) were excellent. We were given complimentary drinks/snacks on the plane.

Stopover in IAD for about 2 hours. No problems. The kids played with some toys I brought along and we went for a big walk in the terminal.

IAD-MCO - Flew on one of their brand new planes. A 319. It was a much bigger plane. Again service was great.

Dec 31 Flew MCO-IAD-BUF - Again service was excellent.

Much busier check-in at MCO (but only about a 15 minute wait).

Only problem (if you could even call it that) was that on our boarding pass it said that we were to board at gate A4 in IAD. At gate A4 the sign read a different destination. I checked with an attendant and she said that our flight was boarding at A2 (about a two minute walk away). No problem. We simply walked over there to board.

No delays on any on our flights.

Any ???'s

Suzy V.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Unfortunately, Independence Air is struggling financially. See http://www.detnews.com/2004/business/0412/17/C01-35849.htm

In USA Today, David Grossman wrote, "And I am skeptical about the future of Independence Air, a high-cost carrier trying to operate as a discounter. The carrier recently bid for a return to United Airlines as a regional feeder." See http://www.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/grossman/2004-12-27-grossman_x.htm

 

[PlutoPony]

Glad to hear things work out for you Suzy...!
We also flew I-Air for the first time over the holidays (altho not to FL) and were pleased. Operation seemed very efficient, employees were all very nice and helpful (even w/ the uncertainty of their future). Luggage beat us to baggage claim on the return into IAD! We were most surprised by the improvements they've made to Dulles Terminal B, which had become somewhat rundown over the last several years. I'll happily continue to fly them and recommend them to others - just hope they can stick around!

 

[n2mm]

Thanks for the report, but I agree with others, things do not look good for FlyI. I used Dulles all of the time and since FlyI came to the terminal, the rates have been very good. Now that FlyI will/may go back to UAL, there will be no more competition for a non-stop carrier, which means higher rates for us Wash. DC/Dulles users.

 

[DVC-Don]

There has been some talk here at Albany airport of Independence air cutting some flights. Seems the planes are not flying anywhere near full.