Southeast airlines gone bust

[dudspizza]

*From their Web site this morning..... the message has changed a little from yesterday....


SOUTHEAST AIRLINES
*
Southeast Airlines has made its final landing and has ceased airline operations.* We apologize for the inconvenience this will cause to our customers, vendors and employees.
*
We sincerely thank all of our loyal employees, customers and vendors for their dedication, support and efforts.*
*
Customers seeking refunds of unused tickets purchased with a credit card should contact their credit card companies and request that the charge for the cancelled flight(s) be “charged back”.
*
Customers who purchased their tickets with cash, check or debit cards should contact United Bank at 727.898.2265
*
You may also re-book your flight on Airtran Airways for $50.00.* If you elect this option, please fax a copy of your Airtran receipt along with a copy of the invoice for your cancelled Southeast flight to 757.220.5818, and Southeast will arrange for reimbursement from its DOT-approved escrow account.

 

[mousy_in_canada]

I am one affected by this

We are scheduled to fly from Allentown, PA (ABE) on Dec 23rd and return home Jan 2nd.

I tried calling and all I get was a machine that says 'this office is closed...we will reopen at 5 AM'.

I called my cc and since I used a debit/visa kind of card I probably wont see any money from them. What do I do? I checked into rebooking thru some others and found the price so high--$1220 was the cheapest for 4 of us flying out of Newark, which is a 2 hour ride for us at least.

This has me heartsick. This was our Christmas!!!! We have saved all year long for this trip, and to pay for it. The insurance dont cover an airline that goes out of biz either..I tried that route. I tried getting WDW Travel to add in air and its ATROCIOUS!! We certainly cant afford that.

Now here we sit....tickets that are no good. We will never get our money back in 22 days til we leave no matter how we fight. Its about 750$ GONE!

I called Lehigh Valley Intl airport and they were very nice but of course could offer no advice. He told me when they came in this AM all the planes and everything was cleared out. There were folks there waiting for their flights down to Sanford. How low! The airport where I live told me they were busy, people liked there airline and they were there for 2 years. He didnt understand it either.

Airtran gave me a quote out of Philly for $1866! I am sick. I cant believe it. I dont know what to do. Can someone offer me any words of wisdom or advice?

Thanks a bunch,
Stacy

I looked on SW for you.. out of Philadelphia.. the best I could do was change your dates to the 21st - 31 .. every other flight was sold out.. here is the run down for those dates if it is able to be switched.. SORRY!
Air Itinerary
Depart Dec 21 Tue N/S PHL-MCO 1928 Depart Philadelphia (PHL) at 7:05 AM Arrive in Orlando (MCO) at 9:45 AM

Return Dec 31 Fri N/S MCO-PHL 1428 Depart Orlando (MCO) at 7:10 AM
Arrive in Philadelphia (PHL) at 9:40 AM

Pricing
Trip Routing Type of Fare Base Fare U.S.

Depart PHL-MCO Promotional Fare $64.19
TAX$7.91
TAX $7.00
X 4 tickets
=$316.40

Return MCO-PHL
Fun Fare $104.19
TAX $10.91
TAX$5.50
X4 tickets
= $482.40

Grand Total $798.80

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

So sorry to about Southeast. We aren't booked till Easter, but I am sure we won't find the same prices as we had with them. I feel for anyone who has a flight for the holidays. Good luck to all.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I am so sorry that this is happening to everyone so close to their departure dates! It is so terrible. First Vacation Express for us NEPArs, now Southeast.

What low- or decent-priced airfare does that leave us???

 

[CarolA]

If you live in the right area. You have SW.

Keep in mind all of the airlines you mentioned were "charter airlines" There are some major differences with charter airlines. Most of them are attempting to expand from a charter only service to a full service airline. Not all of them will make the transisition.

While it is a rough lesson to learn, it is a risk of the charter airline that if it goes under or even cancels your flight your options are VERY limited. The limited servie AirTran has offered is above and beyond what is required. You are not protected by the oft quoted "rule 240"

Also, purchases such as this should be put on a Credit Card if at all possible (a REAL credit card) That will make the recovery a little easier.

 

[CarolA]

Stacy,
A new idea.

What about driving to DC and flying Independence out of there. I priced some flights and found this.
From DC to MCO 12/23 depart 8:55 arrive 11:05
From MCO to DC 1/2 Depart 8:45 am connect in Huntsville arrive 3 pm.

Total fare for four $867

 

[ValpoMan]

This appeared in my local newspaper:

If you have a ticket to fly on Southeast Airlines after Dec 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation says you can call the company to request your money back. The company's customer service number is (800) FLY-SEAL and its corporate offices are listed at (727) 532-1632.

Your money is supposed to be held in an escrow account at Valley National Bank in New York City according to the agency.

If you don't get an answer, the Department of Transporation encourages you to contact its consumer protection division at (202) 366-2220 or by email at airconsumer@ost.dot.gov



Those of us who have been affected by this need to keep the heat on...

Monte

 

[PlutoPony]

Stacy,
A new idea.

What about driving to DC and flying Independence out of there.

FLYi goes out of Dulles, which is in suburban VA - very easy to get in and out of and a nice airport. There are several hotels w/i 10 minutes of the terminal where you could spend the night before and leave your car while you're gone - they'll shuttle you to and from Dulles. You might want to consider this option...