Independence Air: Small jets?

[cdrn1]

We are considering using Independence for an upcoming flight, and my parents are going along. My dad LOVES to fly and piloted small planes in his younger days. My mom is a 78 year old Nervous Nellie who is very scared of flying. Knowing that most Independence flights are of the 50-seat variety, and having never flown in a jet that small, I am seeking opinions of those who might be able to tell me about their Independence flights. Will she be frightened by shakes, bumps and noises? Moreso than larger planes? Also, how is the overall Independence experience?

 

[Nebsky]

Independence Air use to fly as Atlantic Coast Airlines. They were a regional carrier that supported United Airlines on the East coast. They have been around for quite a while and their pilot training matches pretty closely with the Major Carriers (UA, AA, DL). The only real difference is the size of the jets. While they are smaller, they have all the advanced eletronics of the larger planes (737, 757, Airbus etc). The regional jets are very new and reliable planes. They Cruise at the same altitudes and speed as the big jets.

As fars a bumps/shakes, with it being a smaller plane, it is a little more noticeable, but not that bad. Pilots will do everything they can to avoid those bumps to make the trip smooth.

When UA went into bankruptcy, they asked Atlantic to continue flying for them but at a cheaper rate. Independence was looking to keep the same or get more so they decided to jump ship and create a new low cost carrier like Airtran, Southwest, Jet Blue. The industry was watching and what happened is not what Independence had planned on. They have struggled trying to gather market share and passengers and have bit hit really hard by the sky rocketing fuel prices. They have been teettering on bankruptcy themselves but have avoided it thus far.

 

[nordkin]

Depending on where you fly from, it may not be a small jet with 50 or so seats. Check the web site for the aircraft used for the flight you are looking for. I fly Independence Air at least twice a month for business on one of the smaller jets and have not noticed a difference in the ride from a larger jet. One word of warning about the smaller jets is the overhead bins are very small and nothing larger than the size of a briefcase will fit in them. They do allow you to check all carry-ons too large at the gate and then you pick them up at the gate at your destination.

 

[Uncle Buck]

We just flew Independence from Seattle to Orlando (connecting at Dulles). Airbus A319's all the way. Each of the crews we had were awesome and did everything possible to make our flights as enjoyable as possible, including taking our teething infant to the galley we could get a break. On our return, I spoke with one of their pilots in baggage claim.

The planes were very clean, all-leather seats, and had at least average legroom. I sat in a middle seat on every flight (so my kid could have the window) and I never felt cramped. Airbus has a thing on Boeing.

Everyone of their employees is a class act with exemplary service.