So Long AirTran!!

[maciec]

Nothing is supposed to happen until 2012 so I am pretty sure you are fine

 

[JB2K]

Now we'll be stuck with SW...and their faulty planes.

I guess many of you DISers forgot that AirTran (for the most part) used to be the old ValuJet (once-famous for a horrid safety record -- most notably, a fatal accident in the Florida Everglades back in '96, killing all 110 passengers on board).

In the past 10 years of flying, all my domestic travel has been exclusively on Southwest, which has been a great experience, every time.

 

[Nancy F]

What people don't seem to realize (and I'm guessing it's because they haven't flown SW since the boarding change) is that there is no longer the "mob boarding" and waiting in line for 2 hours before your flight. You are now assigned a letter and corresponding number for your flight based upon your check-in time. They now how "posts" that show, for example, number 1-5, 5-10, etc, and you line up according to the letter that they announce at that time, and then within your number group. You'd be surprised at how much nicer this is than the other airlines. And although I fly SW normally, I've flown lots of the others recently taking my dd to visit her dad in Chicago. So I've experienced them both. Yes, it's nice to get an assigned seat so that I know where both my dd and I will be sitting, but in 50+ times of flying SW with her, I've never had an issue finding us seats together. Of course, we always check in at the 24 hour mark (only once have I paid for early bird check in). I also love the fact that they've never once changed our flight times once they're posted, and their customer service has been second to none.

Granted, I'm sure that I'd be just as upset had Airtran bought out SW, so I really do feel for all of you that are losing your favorite airline. I just hope that you'll give SW a shot if you haven't already.

Yeah... but all the seats are still the same size. So I'll be paying US Air to fly 1ST class. I know that some people don't want to or can't afford to upgrade. But for those of us that can... we should have the option. SW just isn't a good fit for the way I like to travel. I'm sooooo sad that Airtran is going away. Loved flying with them.

Nancy

 

[onelilspark]

I'm a little nervous what this merger will mean. Right now, AirTran flies out of Buffalo, my home airport of Rochester, and Syracuse...so does JetBlue...generally, those two airlines compete on price. Southwest only flies out of Buffalo. The way I see it, three things can happen...
1) Everything stays the way it is, except AirTran's planes are painted. No major changes.
2) SW makes the decision to pull out of Rochester and Syracuse and only fly out of Buffalo...I think this would make all the flights out of Rochester & Syracuse increase in price. I could drive to Buffalo, but now I'm competing for fares, increasing the cost once again.
3) SW uses this opportunity to expand the offerings in ROC & SYR. This would be awesome. JetBlue recently stopped flying direct down to Tampa and Orlando, which is why I've been flying AirTran more often.

 

[Dan Murphy]

i guess many of you disers forgot that airtran (for the most part) used to be the old valujet (once-famous for a horrid safety record -- most notably, a fatal accident in the florida everglades back in '96, killing all 110 passengers on board).

In the past 10 years of flying, all my domestic travel has been exclusively on southwest, which has been a great experience, every time.

lol

 

[aubriee]

Thanks to the Wright Ammendment Southwest does not fly out of DFW, nor do they fly direct/nonstop from Dallas to MCO. Air Tran had always easily beaten Southwest for fares (even including the $20.00 bag fees and seat fees). Due to claustrophobic issues I do not sit in the back of the plane, nor do I do middle or window seats. I'm willing to pay more for the seat that I need (aisle, close to the front of the plane which guarantees me boarding zone 1, so I'm assured of getting overhead space). When Southwest takes over I'll no longer be able to fly out of my favorite airport, will lose my nonstop flights, will no longer get to pay for the seat I need/want, and to top it off, I'll get to pay much higher prices. Looks like American Airlines will be getting our business. Even their prices beat Southwest's and we'll get to choose our seats and get nonstop flights out of DFW. Without competition from Air Tran I'm sure American's prices will be going up though.

 

[keishashadow]

There will be even less options from PIT with likely rise in pricing. Hope perhaps jet blue will offer more/direct flights to fill the voidor new carrier option @ LBE Spirit will increase flight destinations to compensate.

i'm mostly concerned as to my AirTran rewards CC thru Barclaysnot a peep as to what will happen with the merger-yet. I refuse to deal again w/Chase (the SWA affiliated one) after having a Disney one, it was so easy to earn AT upgrades & rewards.

 

[kathmzh]

There will be even less options from PIT with likely rise in pricing. Hope perhaps jet blue will offer more/direct flights to fill the voidor new carrier option @ LBE Spirit will increase flight destinations to compensate.

i'm mostly concerned as to my AirTran rewards CC thru Barclaysnot a peep as to what will happen with the merger-yet. I refuse to deal again w/Chase (the SWA affiliated one) after having a Disney one, it was so easy to earn AT upgrades & rewards.

How have you been able to find out what the flight schedule will be like for your airport? I am interested in what happens out of Boston Logan.

 

[sjs314]

How is Southwest's boarding any less of a cattle call than other airlines? I know they don't assign seats, but now they do assign A, B, and C boarding groups with corresponding numbers 1-60 which are assigned based upon the time you check in. Unlike before, now people line up right before boarding based on their letter/number. They do A's first and the line area has the numbers to show you where to stand. I sure like that much better than other airlines "boarding zones" which is a free for all madhouse among others in your same group.

I have never flown SW and do not ever plan on flying SW due to them not having assigned seating. I like to know where my seat is before I step onto the plane

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I have never flown SW and do not ever plan on flying SW due to them not having assigned seating. I like to know where my seat is before I step onto the plane

You should try it - you might like it. I get to chose to stay away from the baby screaming at the gate, and can chose not to sit directly in front of a child (seat kicker). I can chose the nice older lady to sit next to - or the hot guy.

15 years ago I never would have said unassigned seating was great - but in my opinion it really is. I fly 20 or so times a year and the ONLY time I have ever seen kids separated from parents are on United, Delta, Airtran and American.

 

[DebbieB]

How have you been able to find out what the flight schedule will be like for your airport? I am interested in what happens out of Boston Logan.

I don't think they have made any announcements regarding new schedules and probably will not for awhile.

 

[keishashadow]

How have you been able to find out what the flight schedule will be like for your airport? I am interested in what happens out of Boston Logan.

not yet and don't expect to until the corresponding flight schedules are released for next year.

i do wonder if SWA will be slower to release dates & shorter booking windows until the dust settles. Seem to recall AT had their dates out earlier in the past.

 

[thumperjr9]

I'm a little nervous what this merger will mean. Right now, AirTran flies out of Buffalo, my home airport of Rochester, and Syracuse...so does JetBlue...generally, those two airlines compete on price. Southwest only flies out of Buffalo. The way I see it, three things can happen...
1) Everything stays the way it is, except AirTran's planes are painted. No major changes.
2) SW makes the decision to pull out of Rochester and Syracuse and only fly out of Buffalo...I think this would make all the flights out of Rochester & Syracuse increase in price. I could drive to Buffalo, but now I'm competing for fares, increasing the cost once again.
3) SW uses this opportunity to expand the offerings in ROC & SYR. This would be awesome. JetBlue recently stopped flying direct down to Tampa and Orlando, which is why I've been flying AirTran more often.

Ok...this could of been me writing this post. My home airport is Rochester too. Over the years we have mostly flown the non-stops on AirTran out of either ROC or BUF. Honestly I have no complaints about AirTran...in fact I think they only changed our time once and our flight was delayed once because of weather...but if you fly in the winter out of Roch that's to be expected. Last year we flew Jet Blue (non-stop) and like that even better for the leg room and satellite tv/radio...my DS11 says he never wants to fly anything else. We were disappointed that they no longer have non-stops as my husband has a lot of motion issues so he does better if the "ups and downs" are kept to a minimum.

Anyway choice 3 would be my choice ...if they expand the offerings in ROC and SYR. I'm also a little worried though what they will do as far as AirTran flying to Atlanta (which we sometime do also) because as of now Southwest doesn't fly there. I guess time will tell.