question on airtran

[wdwfamilyinIL]

Since we are unsure when Southwest will release fares, and then the whole not knowing what they will be, we are looking at Airtran. My question is for the lowest fares on Airtran, you can't pick your seat until check in. There are 7 of us going, with 3 small children, how does this work? Also does anyone know if Airtran's fares go down, will they give you the difference.

 

[BWVNUT]

Since we are unsure when Southwest will release fares, and then the whole not knowing what they will be, we are looking at Airtran. My question is for the lowest fares on Airtran, you can't pick your seat until check in. There are 7 of us going, with 3 small children, how does this work? Also does anyone know if Airtran's fares go down, will they give you the difference.

We have flown AirTran many times and we always use the lowest fare option - you can check in 24 hours in advance of the flight on line and get your seat - so that's what we do. We've always been concerned on the flight home though, since we don't have access to a computer when we travel to do the check in 24 hours in advance - but each time it has worked out perfectly - we've always been able to sit together. Further, I would think that if your small children ended up sitting next to someone else that they would readily agree to switch with you... I know I'd rather not sit with someone else's kids ...

And, yes, we have also experienced the fares going down - they will not refund you the difference to your credit card or anything, but they will give you credit towards a future flight - for one year from the date of booking - works great - that's happened to us about 3 times now...once I was given a $160 credit!!

Good luck!

 

[disneyfanfamily]

I am also thinking about Airtran. The times are better than Southwest's (if their schedules will be the same as they are now) But I was also concerned about splitting up the family. As long as my boys can stay together (10 & 12) and my DD 6 can be with either DH or myself, I would be fine.

If I get the okay from DH, I may book Airtran tonight for our June/July dates.

 

[DeadHead]

Keeping your family together is really a function of the type of aircraft you'll be on. AirTran flies Boeing 717's, which is 2-3 seating configuration, they also use Boeing 737 which are 3-3 seating configs. It just depends on which plane your scheduled on. If your unsure of which you can alwyas call AirTrans customer service line and they will tell you whcih type of plane. They have been very helpful to our family when we inquired. Hope this helps.

 

[garnet1240]

For the return flight home, you can also check with the front desk 24 hrs before flight. Last Oct, I gave them my confimation number and they brought up the website and let me check in on line choosing our seats. We still had to do the normal stuff at the airport with checked bags, but this way I knew we would be sitting together.

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

I was reading on another thread that several are unhappy with Airtran, has anyone had good luck with them. If southwest's schedule stays the same then I don't really like the times, but then again I don't want to book on an airline that will give us nothing but problems

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, three posters on that thread have had problems, currently or in the past. On the other hand, you don't hear from the thousands and thousands and thousands of passengers who DON'T have problems.

 

[dudspizza]

I was reading on another thread that several are unhappy with Airtran, has anyone had good luck with them. If southwest's schedule stays the same then I don't really like the times, but then again I don't want to book on an airline that will give us nothing but problems

The one knock on Airtran is that they do tinker with their flight times. If you book them well in advance, expect there to be somewhat of a time change. It is inevitable... plan for it and don't get frustrated when it does change.... I have NEVER had a flight stay exactly the same on any airline, except for one last minute charter flight... HOWEVER, once on my trip, the return flight never changed.... I always had plenty of time to prepare.

Airtran flights, employees, etc... have always been great.

Duds