PLEASE give me feedback on Airtran...

[traci]

We have never flown Airtran. Considering it for our flight home since it's half of what SWA will cost.

How are they regarding being on time?
Do they cancel flights often.
It's a big plane, right...

Thanks all

 

[DeadHead]

Almost fly exclusively with AirTran out of PHL to MCO and again this Dec flying to see DD in Branson. Out of PHL have never had a late flight. Leaving MCO have had one flight cancelled. That was during a Feb trip due to an ice storm in PHL. AirTran does have a reputation on the site for changing times, so beware. They flight 2 types of aircraft, Boeing 737-700/800's which seat approx 150 and Boeing 717's which seat approx 112.

 

[mitsybella]

You can see the seat layout from their web site, gives you an idea of the size of the plane, just hit the small seat symbol next to their prices, one plane has 3 seats on one side and 2 seats on the other side of the isle, the other plane has 3 seats on either side of the isle.

 

[kjs1976]

We've always flown Airtran - except this year NWA was cheaper for us, but they've changed our flights many times so I wish I would've went with AT.

We've always been pleased...always on time or early. Changed our flight once in 6 years and it was to our advantage, 2 hrs. earlier. We have upgraded to business class occasionally and been very happy. Really like the free XM radio! We give a thumbs up for AT!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

We have flown AirTran quite a number of times. Good airline with good planes and very nice employees.

BUT they have a very bad habit of constantly changing their schedules. They will ususally send you an e-mail letting you know of the changes, but they come WAY after the schedule has been changed. If you take the first flight out they usually leave this alone or move it by a few minutes. During the day it's anyone's guess. They sometimes change flights by a lot, sometimes a little, and sometimes they just remove a flight from their schedule. If you are going to use them make sure you stay on top of the schedule by checking their web site. Otherwise you may end up with a very big surprise.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

We've flown AirTran twice out of Milwaukee to Orlando and back. No issues either way. All our flights have been on time, even a little early. My brother and his family just did the same in May and also had no trouble. I think a lot depends on the airport, though. A friend of mine flew AirTrain from Orlando to Chicago Midway and had a horrible experience. Not us. We've got another trip booked for November on AirTran. If given a choice, I'll always fly AirTran out of Milwaukee over United or American from O'Hare.

 

[honeymo78]

We also fly almost exclusively on AirTran to MCO. The only delays we have experienced were a delayed departure from MCO for severe storms in PHL and for an incoming ice/snow storm leaving PHL. However, all the airlines were affected in those cases. We have only experienced 1 major time change (the flight was taken off the schedule for a few months) and only a handful of 5-10 minute time changes. The major time change was no problem to switch, even for 3 separate parties. They were also great about getting us switched to a flight a day earlier when there was in incoming snow storm that was closing the airport - our flight actually ended up being one of the last out before they had to close the airport.

We also love that we can upgrade to business class when we check in 24 hours in advance. Most flights have very few business class seats sold so we often can pay for an upgrade.

 

[mrscoobs]

Their 717 sits 117, 12 business class and 105 coach and their 737 sits 137 with 12 business, 125 in coach. Remember also that you will pay for your bags so that adds $30 roundtrip to those that are going to check one bag.

Otherwise I like them as we have not had problems and like selecting our seat 24 hours in advance rather than getting a boarding position with swa.

 

[mitsybella]

We also love that we can upgrade to business class when we check in 24 hours in advance. Most flights have very few business class seats sold so we often can pay for an upgrade.

Is there a set price for the upgrade, or is it different for each flight? would love to upgrade if it does not cost too much...

 

[honeymo78]

Is there a set price for the upgrade, or is it different for each flight? would love to upgrade if it does not cost too much...

The upgrade price depends on how long the flight segment is. For us from PHL to MCO the upgrade is $69 per person. Combine that with a $79 coach seat and we love it. Plus there are no baggage fees for the first 2 checked bags if you are in business class so even if you only check one bag that cuts the upgrade fee to just over 50 per person.

 

[mitsybella]

The upgrade price depends on how long the flight segment is. For us from PHL to MCO the upgrade is $69 per person. Combine that with a $79 coach seat and we love it. Plus there are no baggage fees for the first 2 checked bags if you are in business class so even if you only check one bag that cuts the upgrade fee to just over 50 per person.

Thanks for the info, is there a way of finding out how much the fee would be from another airport and how far in advance or how late can you do this upgrade? thanks again

 

[honeymo78]

Thanks for the info, is there a way of finding out how much the fee would be from another airport and how far in advance or how late can you do this upgrade? thanks again

If you go to airtran's website, I believe the info is under the tab flight info, then select business class. There is a chart that shows the upgrade price based on departure and arrival cities. You can do the upgrade at online checking as early as 24 hours in advance or you can do it when you check in at the airport with your luggage or at the gate. I wouldn't recomend waiting until you get to the gate since you run the risk of having all the seats taken by those who did it at checkin.

 

[mommyrants]

AirTran is coming in very cheap from MDW, I have always been leary because of the ValuJet accident. Does this bother any of you regular customers?

 

[happiestgrl]

Airtrans fleet is pretty new. IMO, newer = safer. I work at a maintenance base of a major airline and completely trust the mechanics and work performed on our aircraft. We are the last carrier that does their own maintenance....most of the others are outsourced.

 

[mommyrants]

Well - it appears Air Tran took over ValuJet after the 1996 crash. ATA is another story.

Thank you for the feedback, though. I normally fly American or United ( we love very close to O Hare)

From Wikipedia:

Early years

The airline was established in June 1993 and started operations on October 26, 1993 as Conquest Sun Airlines. It was renamed AirTran Airways in August 1994. At the time, AirTran had a similar name to American Trans Air (otherwise known as ATA) and this led to a confusion over branding.

Following objections from Northwest Airlines to AirTran Airways' entry into the jet carrier business, its parent company signed an agreement with Northwest for the spin-off to shareholders of the non-airline businesses. They became part of a new holding company, AirWays Corporation,

In July 1997, AirWays Corporation announced a merger with ValuJet Airlines. In one of the U.S. airline industry's first reverse mergers, ValuJet was re-named AirTran Airways in 1997. This was done because the firm's public image never recovered from the crash of ValuJet Flight 592. On September 24, 1997 the parent company became AirTran Holdings Inc, and operations under new management began on September 1, 1998.

 

[happiestgrl]

You're right - I confused the 2. Thanks for the correct info!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Air Tran is my default airline when not flying Southwest. I fly Air Tran for my Atlanta trips = exclusively.

I have found the airline to be friendly, clean and reasonably efficient....delays have always been coming home from Atlanta.

I am about to book a one-way from Baltimore to LAX for a DL trip --- Southwest reward ticket blackout day.

Air tran has the best rate - hands down --- and it's non-stop. My one concern; Air Tran has a tendancy to cancel non-stop flights if they are not sold out.

So, today I book it and we hold our breath.

One thing I do know, they try very hard. That's reason enouch for me!