PHL to MCO For 2 on AirTran for $237 - Tell me about AirTran

[Bill From PA]

I just jumped on a $49 each way, RT, direct flight from PHL to MCO in mid Oct. for a total of $237.60. We paid more than that EACH last month from our local airport, so we're thrilled. ANYWAY.., we've never used AirTran and understand that there are no 'reserved' seats and I've read they change their schedule frequently. I'd like to hear from AirTran veterans concerning these matters, baggage limits and anything else that you think might be of value to someone used to 'legacy carrier' flyers. Thanks in advance for any info offered.

Bill From PA

 

[kaw1218]

I'm curious too. I can get 2 RT tickets for $258. Almost a 2 for 1 deal!!!!

 

[5 Disney Fans]

I've flown them from PHL to MCO a couple of times and had very good experiences. You can book seats 24 hours ahead of your flight time so you can get your assignments then. It is "no frills" but they do drink service for the flight to Orlando. I found the staff to be VERY friendly but I've seen other's on this board had some complaints about service. In my personal experience though I would recommend them and would use them again!

I'm going in Early October and the prices are $99 each way... I'd love to get your price!!

 

[5 Disney Fans]

Sorry I left a few unanswered questions. I travel w/ 3 kids and didn't run into any baggage limitations but I try to travel as light as I can.

I have had them change the schedule on us a couple of times but the difference was always about an hour. So going to MCO we booked an 8am and they moved it up to 7am And one evening flight they moved from 7:30pm to 6:30pm. nothing too major. They aren't very good about notifying you about the changes in a timely manner... so I just keep an eye on their website.

 

[Bill From PA]

Thanks, 5 Disney Fans, that's music to my ears.

Bill From PA

 

[kaw1218]

Thanks....now to just convince myself that I CAN get on a plane

But that's a whole other thread

 

[5 Disney Fans]

Thanks, 5 Disney Fans, that's music to my ears.

Bill From PA

No Bill.... THANK YOU!!! I had checked air prices 1st thing this morning and Airtran was $99... I was considering using US Air for return b/c for the same $99 there was a better return time. South West was more expensive. But after reading and replying to your message I checked Air Tran again and booked $49 each way! I took the 8:10pm return flight which is kind of late.. but it will give us more time in the parks right? It cost $594 for my party of 5!

 

[3js13]

Thanks Bill!!! I got our trip down for $49!!!

 

[DeadHead]

Thanks so much for the info, just booked our flights for October at $49 each way from PHL.

 

[puffkin]

Booked our flight down for $49 each on Airtran for Mid October.

Not liking the times for the return, so will hold out awhile and keep checking SW and Airtran.

We have flown Airtran PHL to MCO several times and I prefer them over SW. I think their crew is nicer, planes are newer, love the XM radio and they give you a full can of soda (and now carry my favorite which is Coke Zero).

 

[beachgrl001]

No Bill.... THANK YOU!!! I had checked air prices 1st thing this morning and Airtran was $99... I was considering using US Air for return b/c for the same $99 there was a better return time. South West was more expensive. But after reading and replying to your message I checked Air Tran again and booked $49 each way! I took the 8:10pm return flight which is kind of late.. but it will give us more time in the parks right? It cost $594 for my party of 5!

WOO HOO Me too! I have been checking all day I was waiting for SW to come out with the new dates and I was dissapointed in the prices Then I saw Bills post WOO HOO THANKS BILL

 

[MickeysHouse07]

I booked too. Just one way - MCO to PHL on 9/22. We are stopping in Ft Meyers first on 9/15 and then drive to Orlando. Airtran does not have a direct flight from PHL to RSW. The prices is too good but DH doesn't want to travel make any stops with our small kids.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

Is it like SW, with families w/ children under 4 on 1st??? I was disappointed w/ SW fares also , someone told me to look into AC or Lehigh Valley, but I would rather fly out of Philly. I am thinking about waiting a little longer to maybe get bette prices???

 

[Tinkerchele]

Waiting for those $49 flights for the last week of November...right now..$99. Flew Airtran from PHL to MCO the last couple of trips..no problems whatsoever. I also found their seats to be more comfortable that US Airways.

 

[Figment*Fan]

Hi, Bill, I am also from the WB area and usually fly out of Avoca. On our last trip, we flew out of Philly on Southwest. I am curious, do they do the pre-board like Southwest does -- that drove me nuts when over half of the flight was pre-boarders.

Also, being from the same area, do you know of any ways to save time and money driving to Philly? Maybe I chose the wrong route or time of day, but it was sort of brutal at times. How do you figure out the associated costs of traveling to Philly as opposed to leaving from Avoca and paying more per ticket.

Granted, regardless of tolls, etc. $49 each way sounds like a great deal!!

 

[Bill From PA]

Hi, Bill, I am also from the WB area and usually fly out of Avoca. On our last trip, we flew out of Philly on Southwest. I am curious, do they do the pre-board like Southwest does -- that drove me nuts when over half of the flight was pre-boarders.

Also, being from the same area, do you know of any ways to save time and money driving to Philly? Maybe I chose the wrong route or time of day, but it was sort of brutal at times. How do you figure out the associated costs of traveling to Philly as opposed to leaving from Avoca and paying more per ticket.

Granted, regardless of tolls, etc. $49 each way sounds like a great deal!!

In 2006 we flew USAir out of PHL at 6 am in order to capture the first day at WDW. We drove down the PA Turnpike to I95 to Essington the night before, we used MapQuest for the route, the tolls were around $3, maybe a little less. We did the Sleep and Fly at the Essington Ramada for $107, they shuttled us to the airport and we had 14 days of free, fenced in parking. If you don't stay at the Ramada you can still use their lot for around $5 - $6 per day and they'll shuttle you to and from PHL. We're doing the same this Oct. With this airfare we'll still be ahead mor ethan $100 even after the drive and hotel, but the most important thing is a direct flight that has us at MCO before 9:15. We'll be at the Food & Wine Fest by WS rope drop time. BTW, we paid $301 EACH on Delta last month from AVP and our $237 total for Oct is well less than half of what I'm seeing from S/WB for Oct.

Bill From PA

 

[mrslur]

I too checked this morning and saw $99. Came home from work, checked again and $49. Yeah! Even better as of May 5th they are now a participating airline with DME.

 

[kimpossible]

Is it worth waiting a little bit for SW or should we book Airtran?

If we check in exactly 24 hrs. in advance will we be likely to sit together (family of 4) or does it fill up with people who paid more for reserved seats?

 

[Coll0610]

You will be assigned seats when you check in. You can check in online 24 hours ahead of time and get your seats then. If you don't check in until you get to the airport, they will assign you seats. The only time the 3 of us had trouble sitting together was when we weren't able to check in online ahead of time. That time we had 2 seats together and one in the row behind us.

I think they only have one or two models of planes. All the ones we've flown have 2 seats on one side of the aisle and 3 on the other. The seats aren't overly comfortable but it's tolerable. For some reason they always seem harder on the way home!

 

[cbrfan]

Is it worth waiting a little bit for SW or should we book Airtran?

If we check in exactly 24 hrs. in advance will we be likely to sit together (family of 4) or does it fill up with people who paid more for reserved seats?

I've never had a problem getting seats together when we've checked in at the 24 hour mark. I don't think that many people actually pay to reserve seats at booking. I've almost always gotten prime seating. Even on full flights.