:( Oddball out here, I am going to miss Airtran

[mommyoftwinfants]

Looks like we will not be traveling as often with AA being the only airline with direct flights to orlando from dfw. I got awesome deals with airtran and never had a problem with them, I hope the deal doesn't go through .

 

[greenclan67]

I couldn't agree with you more! We have made trips to Orlando the last 4 years! We have flown exclusively Airtran every year! Love the prices, and I am going to miss them! I actually have this year, helped, 10 people book flights to Orlando for our March Break, the most expensive flight being $110 the rest were $89! We are really, really going to miss them!

 

[ljhmom]

I totally agree! I was so sad to see they will be leaving DFW, I just told my husband our cheap nonstop flights are probably gone now!

 

[Disney Princess]

We used Air Tran out of DFW too - the rates were great, and we really enjoy the nonstops flights. Hopefully SW will eventually get us some better rates out of Love Field.

 

[Daddio]

I will miss them too. SW used to fly out of Detroit but 9 out of 10 times, AirTran had better deals. The only other airline with good deals but poor customer PR is Spirit Air.

David

 

[ericamcl]

you're not the only one!
we've flown Airtran to Orlando the last 3 times we've gone - I love the convenience of the baggage transfer, etc. once we get to Orlando - Southwest doesn't to that
I also hate the whole check in exactly 24 hours ahead of time on SW if you want to POSSIBLY get a good seat

 

[aubriee]

Looks like we will not be traveling as often with AA being the only airline with direct flights to orlando from dfw. I got awesome deals with airtran and never had a problem with them, I hope the deal doesn't go through .

I totally agree! I was so sad to see they will be leaving DFW, I just told my husband our cheap nonstop flights are probably gone now!

We used Air Tran out of DFW too - the rates were great, and we really enjoy the nonstops flights. Hopefully SW will eventually get us some better rates out of Love Field.

Another DFW flyer that's going to miss them. It looks like our only choices now are to either fly American Airlines or make the trek over to Lovefield. Either way we can expect our prices to skyrocket. My last two flights I've paid $198.00 r/t. My Oct trip is during Columbus Day weekend so was a little higher at $220.00, but I got my Dec tickets for $198.00 again. I haven't bought tickets yet for my May trip, but dread seeing what they're going to be. I'm even debating whether I want to renew my WDW AP. I usually go to WDW several times a year, but have a feeling those trips may become fewer and farther apart.

 

[clkelley]

- I love the convenience of the baggage transfer, etc. once we get to Orlando - Southwest doesn't to that

Actually Southwests DOES do that. EVERY passenger flying into MCO before 10pm regardless of airline can have their baggage picked up by DME and delivered to the resort!!!!! Even if you don't have the yellow luggage tags, give your claim tickets to the DME agent and they will pull your bags!!!

Now for the trip home, yes airline does matter, and actually unless you are staying at CBR or OKW, you can use RAC with Southwest now!!!

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I'm with you all, too. Hoping the merger doesn't go through, but I'm sure it will. I will really miss AirTran. We've been flying on AirTran between Milwaukee and Orlando a couple times a year for the last 3 years and it has been absolutely wonderful. Not a single issue. Never had any desire to fly on SW and once AirTran's gone, I'll exhaust all other possibilities before I'll fly SW. I just don't get why anyone thinks a free-for-all approach to seating is a good idea. Air travel is a big enough hassle as it is without needing to jockey for position just to get a seat on the plane. Just let me choose my own seat ahead of time. I'll even pay for it. Just give me that option! Might not be a big deal to some, but it is for me and that's why I have not and don't plan to fly SW.

 

[Missytara]

Another one on the bandwagon of disappointment.

I will never step foot on a SW plane as long as I live. It is so convuluted and complicated. And honestly for the last three years, my fares out of BWI have been cheaper on Airtran, even with the baggage and seat fare. No cattle call to the plane, no worries about scrambling for a seat, always loved their service and their flight attendants, and I always flew non-stop and they never once changed my plane.

Airtran, I am gonna miss you more than you know.....

 

[Inkmahm]

I'm with you all, too. Hoping the merger doesn't go through, but I'm sure it will. I will really miss AirTran. We've been flying on AirTran between Milwaukee and Orlando a couple times a year for the last 3 years and it has been absolutely wonderful. Not a single issue. Never had any desire to fly on SW and once AirTran's gone, I'll exhaust all other possibilities before I'll fly SW. I just don't get why anyone thinks a free-for-all approach to seating is a good idea. Air travel is a big enough hassle as it is without needing to jockey for position just to get a seat on the plane. Just let me choose my own seat ahead of time. I'll even pay for it. Just give me that option! Might not be a big deal to some, but it is for me and that's why I have not and don't plan to fly SW.

Same here. I"ve had very good luck with Airtran flying MKE to MCO 3 or 4 times each year since Midwest airline fell apart. Took them once as Frontier and hated it.

I love not only the assigned seats but the chance to upgrade to business class on Airtran. I will REALLY miss that.

 

[Daddio]

Of course, there is always the possibility that SW will take on AirTran's IT technology and change the way they (SW) used to do things. It may have been one of the features of buying AT.

David

 

[ladyhawk14624]

We have tickets for AirTran in late January. I'm pretty nervous about the sale actually. Not sure if our non stop flight will change now. I don't want anything to change for us. I'm not a good flyer anyway so all this uncertainty isn't helping me. I was all excited about the great deal we got and now I just don't know. Ugh!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I wouldn't expect to see any changes to Airtran until 2012 if the powers that be approve the sale. FWIW, I happen to love SW and look forward to being able to fly to more destinations, i.e. Atlanta! Their boarding has improved over the years and it is no longer a "cattle call" or scrambling for seats. I have always found boarding to be orderly. Also, you can't beat bags flying free!

 

[Inkmahm]

I wouldn't expect to see any changes to Airtran until 2012 if the powers that be approve the sale. FWIW, I happen to love SW and look forward to being able to fly to more destinations, i.e. Atlanta! Their boarding has improved over the years and it is no longer a "cattle call" or scrambling for seats. I have always found boarding to be orderly. Also, you can't beat bags flying free!

Actually, you CAN beat bags flying free. With cheaper airfares that MORE than make up for paying for bags on Airtran.

 

[JB2K]

Of course, there is always the possibility that SW will take on AirTran's IT technology and change the way they (SW) used to do things. It may have been one of the features of buying AT.

I don't think so -- the main reason SWA bought AT was to get improved access to key airports in the Northeast. This acquisition also finally gets SWA into the Delta fortress known as ATL.

 

[JB2K]

For those of you "hoping this merger doesn't go through", remember two things:

• This was mutually agreed-upon by both CEOs of SWA and AT (if AT was really making a ton of money, why in the world would they sell-out?)
  
• The only hurdles remaining are those with the Federal Government -- and given how the Northwest/Delta and United/Continental mergers breexed-through, we can expect much of the same for this pair of airlines.

 

[farlinm1]

I too will miss AirTran. Will be flying with them this Dec from Flint to MCO and they have always been my choice for flying, because of great fares, friendly attendants, chioce of seats and non-stop flights to MCO...never any hassles..Just hate changing planes in airports I am not familiar with....

 

[JB2K]

We have tickets for AirTran in late January. I'm pretty nervous about the sale actually. Not sure if our non stop flight will change now.

You'll be OK -- nothing officially happens until the merger closes, and that could take up to a year -- or longer.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Actually, you CAN beat bags flying free. With cheaper airfares that MORE than make up for paying for bags on Airtran.

To each his own.