Please tell me about Air Tran & JetBlue

[CJK]

We have been using Southwest for the last few years, but I discovered this morning that both Air Tran and JetBlue are cheaper (including having to pay for checked luggage with Air Tran).

What do you think of Air Tran and JetBlue? What are the perks/drawbacks? Dh refuses to pay for earlybird on Southwest, so I know he won't pay for preassigned seats. Will that put us at much of a risk of not sitting together (just the 2 of us)?

Our trip isn't until the fall, so I'm reluctant to book just yet, since the prices are all higher by at least $150 than what we paid last year. Thanks for any insight.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

My Take on thi ...

I am a big fan of JetBlue. You don't pay a seat fee, your first bag is free, and unlimited snacks .... very impressed.

Airtran appears to have slightly better prices, but add in seat fee, bag fees, etc and the advantage disappears.

My experience is from flying out of Portland Maine.

I wish JetBlue would fly via Halifax

Ted

 

[TLPL]

Yeah be sure to add the fees to your total cost when you choose an airline.

 

[Alderbrook]

We've always paid for seat assignment with AT but we have my son to think about it. If it were just my DH & I we wouldn't really care if we sat together at all because I read a book & he usually ends up falling asleep.

We flew AT last September & on the way home the seats in front of us were empty, I didn't notice how full the plane was on teh way down though.

 

[DISDANCEMOM]

We have done all three in the past year and a half. I like Jet Blue the best by far! The planes are very comfortable and seem to be newer that the other 2. The staff is very friendly and helpful and the unlimited snacks were great for the kids. If possible I will only do JB in the future!

 

[dvc deernut]

WE USE JET BLUE WHEN EVER POSSIBLE OUT OF BUFFALO. MORE LEG ROOM TVs AT EVERY SEAT. DUNKIN DONUTS COFFEE AND ENDLESS SNACKS. DIRECT FLIGHTS NOW TO ORLANDO WHICH ARE CHEAPER. NEWER FLEET OF AIRLINES. PRICES USUALLY RUN SIMILIAR TO SOUTHWEST.

 

[SaraMc]

We are big fans of Jet Blue. We love now that they have a direct flight from Buffalo to Orlando. But if you have to go through thier hub at JFK, its really good too.
They are super friendly and they really go out of thier way to make sure that everything is how you need it to be.
We find that the earlier you book with Jet blue the cheaper the price can be. Love that I have my seat assignments and that they still let parents with small children board first. Usually by the time we get DS's " Cares" belt set up they are just letting the other's on the flight.
The tv's dont always work so bring other things to do just incase.
I would go with Jet blue. They really seem to get that for families it can be really expensive to travel and they really seem to care.