JetBlue or Airtran

[minniemomof3]

Which is better Airtran or Jetblue? Jetblue is going to cost me $111 more for the 5 of us but the flight times are slighter better than Airtran. Is it worth the extra money? I have never flown Airtran and not sure about there service? Are they good?

Thanks for you help!

 

[Debbie]

I've flown both, and I prefer JetBlue (in fact....I'll be flying them in 41 days ).

Air Tran is fine. Good prices, but no frills. (pay for your luggage-do you get 1 free?? ) However, they are notorious for changing times-sometimes a few minutes, sometimes a few hours-and even from non-stop to stopover.

JetBlue is great. Fair prices, few frills. 1 free bag, pick your seats and TV during the flight.

If JetBlue has the better times, and it is just $111 more for the entire crew, I know what I'd be doing!

 

[Alderbrook]

I have never flown Jet Blue, but have flown Air Tran from Buffalo with no problems. We're flying Air Tran again in Sept. I booked our flights in March & they have not changed our times (yet) or from a direct to a stop over. I keep checking but so far no changes. It's $15 per checked bag so for us (a family of 3) we only need to check 1 bag because we're all taking a carry-on which suits me fine because I like to have my stuff with me.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I've flown both, and I prefer JetBlue (in fact....I'll be flying them in 41 days ).

Air Tran is fine. Good prices, but no frills. (pay for your luggage-do you get 1 free?? ) However, they are notorious for changing times-sometimes a few minutes, sometimes a few hours-and even from non-stop to stopover.

JetBlue is great. Fair prices, few frills. 1 free bag, pick your seats and TV during the flight.

If JetBlue has the better times, and it is just $111 more for the entire crew, I know what I'd be doing!

I agree with Debbie.....but for us the money really makes the decision. If that is of no issue for your group then Jetblue would be great. The TV's are a fantastic bonus as well as 1 free bag.

We are going ATA this year because it was the least expensive, by about $250. We got the non stop flights and we can most likely just pack carry on.

 

[potzie2]

Have you factored the cost of checked luggage with AirTran as the difference may not be that great? Jetblue does have the TVs which may be of some value depending upon the ages of the travellers.

I had a poor experience once on AirTran and will never fly them again if I can help it. I rarely if ever even check their fares as it would have to be substantially cheaper than anything else before I would even consider them.

Cheers,

Brian

 

[photomama]

Jet blue

 

[edit1]

Never flown Airtran before but used Jetblue in February. Jetblue was great -- on time, friendly staff, free snacks and beverages, and the TVs kept the little ones busy so it was more relaxing for me! However I like saving $ too so I guess I would take everything into consideration such as flight times and like a previous poster said I would find out if Airtran charges for checking in baggage.

 

[minniemomof3]

Well, late last night, I decided to go ahead and book my flights before waiting for you replies. I really wished I had waited, it sounds like JetBlue is much better.

I ended up booking JetBlue down to MCO and Airtran back, the $111 savings was all in the return trip back to BUF. I figured that would buy quite a few souveniers for the kids.

I didn't realize that Airtran charged for luggage, oh well, I'll probably just use carr yon anyway.

I'm really concerned to hear that they change their flight often, I never considered the possiblity of being changed from a direct flight to layover. Layover is not an option with 3 kids, much too stressful. What are my options if this happens?

 

[dancin Disney style]

ATA does charge to check a bag. It's $15 for the first bag. When I did my price comparison I did factor in everything and ATA still came out cheaper by a couple hundred $$. We will most likely just be going with carry on but if we check a bag it will be one large one shared between us.

I have flown with them before and while it is not like flying with British Airways I feel it is more than acceptable for the amount of money. Yes, they have changed our flight schedule but when they have, they have been more than willing to re-book us on a flight that is suitable to me.

I travel a lot and in general there is not a lot of great service from the airlines any more. Basically, I find a flight that is within the price range that I want and has times that work for me. That's it.

 

[minniemomof3]

Thaks for everyone's feedback.
Dancin disney style, I agree at $59 a flight I can't complain. I'm sure the service will be more than adequate. I've flown Southwest many times and although I love their flexiblity in regards to changes and cancellations, I'm not crazy about their boarding style. But at the right price, I'm sure I'll use them again.

In anycase, I get a to try out Airtran for one leg of the trip and I'll have more knowledge for the next trip.

 

[Alderbrook]

I agree with PP, if they can get me from point A to point B for $59 non-stop, I can't really complain. We bring a portable DVD player for my son so he's entertained & 2.5 hrs goes by really quick I find in a plane. TV's & "free" baggage check (you're paying for the bag check in the cost of the fare) for an extra cost isn't worth it to me. $15 for 1 bag, no big deal to me. I've never had a problem with ATA & do understand when people say that they've had terrible experiences with them, but for us, even when we did have a stop over everything ran smooth, no time changes, no over booking, no nothing. I have had a HORRIBLE experience with another airline that I'm pretty sure can't be topped, so ATA will really have to screw up our flight to top our experience last year to Myrtle Beach.

 

[karters*mom]

Which is better Airtran or Jetblue? Jetblue is going to cost me $111 more for the 5 of us but the flight times are slighter better than Airtran. Is it worth the extra money? I have never flown Airtran and not sure about there service? Are they good?

Thanks for you help!

Southwest has super low cheap prices right now! We always fly Southwest, you don't have to pay to check luggage and always fantastic service...3 of us for early January into orlando is $442 US...round trip non-stop flight

 

[dancin Disney style]

Thaks for everyone's feedback.
Dancin disney style, I agree at $59 a flight I can't complain. I'm sure the service will be more than adequate. I've flown Southwest many times and although I love their flexiblity in regards to changes and cancellations, I'm not crazy about their boarding style. But at the right price, I'm sure I'll use them again.

In anycase, I get a to try out Airtran for one leg of the trip and I'll have more knowledge for the next trip.

Minniemom...we're in Oakville too.

We paid $59 for non-stop both going south and north. SW and JB were both over $129 each way.

If they change your flight you can have them re-book you on something that is suitable to you. They will not charge you. The most common change is just in time it is less common for them to add a stop over. Our flight times were changed about 10 days after I booked but I booked the first week of June to travel in August. They changed our time making it 13 minutes later going to MCO and our return is 20 minutes later. So not really any big deal. Actually, we have a morning return so it works in our favour.

 

[scooter15]

We've flown both to Florida and will NEVER fly on AirTran again. The crew was extremely rude and thought that we were bothersome because we had kids. When we landed, we had a hard time getting our son's carseat out and the flight attendant was telling us to get off the plane now. NEVER again!!! We went to WDW a few weeks ago and flew JetBlue and loved it. I have actually flown from San Diego to NY-JFK on JetBlue a few times and LOVED it. It was my first time flying into JFK and I looked very lost. The copilot sensed I was on his flight since that was the only plane that landed that time and he helped me get to the train to meet up with my husband who was waiting for me there.

 

[Alderbrook]

Minniemom...we're in Oakville too.

I'm just outside Hamilton, love the Buffalo airport!

 

[minnie56]

Jetblue...would not fly ATA after Clients of mine that booked a flight to FLL were offloaded. Family of 5..March Break, booked 9 months prior. Spending 2 nights in FLL prior to a cruise. What a MESS for these people!

Nope.Never.

 

[minniemomof3]

I wanted to provide my opinion now that I am back from my trip and have flown both airlines. Jet Blue is a far superior airline to Airtran and worth the extra money my opinion. Although my Airtran flights were on time and never changed, I found the seats to be extremely uncomfortable and cramped. Jet Blue had amazing snacks (unliminted) and large comfy seats with personal TV's. Although, you will have to pay $2 for headsets if you didn't bring your own. In hindsight, I wish I had spent the extra money and flown Jet Blue for both legs of the flight.