Southwest flight that is operated by AirTan?

[nkereina]

I know that Southwest and AirTran have merged. I went online today to book flights through the Southwest web site and the return flight I selected shows it as operated by AirTran. I didn't proceed with the booking yet but if I decide to, does anyone know if I would be able to add EBCI to the return flight? Or would I not need to? I wasn't sure if the open seating concept would be transferring into these AirTran flights as well. If it's not, does anyone know if I will still have the option to pay $6 to reserve seats like AirTran offers? And how about baggage fees on that AirTran flight? Thanks!

 

[keishashadow]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3069772

currently, if you book a flight operated by AT on SWA site you are unable to book seat assignments or early bird for the AT portion of the itinerary

 

[arthuruscg]

on the plus side, if you book thru the SW site the 2 free bags still apply to the AT flight.

 

[PatMcDuck]

on the plus side, if you book thru the SW site the 2 free bags still apply to the AT flight.

I read this, and of course I just booked a flight on Air Tran a week ago, and will have to pay the luggage fees. OK, I do have reserved seats, but I think I would rather save those fees.

 

[DebbieB]

I read that you only get the free bags if you have a connection involving both a SW flight and an AirTran flight. Otherwise, everyone would be booking their AirTran flights through SW to get free bags.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3069277

 

[keishashadow]

I read that you only get the free bags if you have a connection involving both a SW flight and an AirTran flight. Otherwise, everyone would be booking their AirTran flights through SW to get free bags.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3069277

doesn't have to be a connecting flight but you have to have 1 leg of RT booked on SWA vs AT code share

note this current policy, i was told it's subject to change as all things. I'm hoping the seat assignment capability is #1 on that list.

 

[arthuruscg]

I read that you only get the free bags if you have a connection involving both a SW flight and an AirTran flight. Otherwise, everyone would be booking their AirTran flights through SW to get free bags.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3069277

SW is shutting down AT by 2014. So, think of it as the carrot to get to to switch to the SW website.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

doesn't have to be a connecting flight but you have to have 1 leg of RT booked on SWA vs AT code share

note this current policy, i was told it's subject to change as all things. I'm hoping the seat assignment capability is #1 on that list.

I just booked a RT Airtran ticket on SWA and there is no baggage charge and I called to confirm and was told there would be no charge.

 

[arthuruscg]

doesn't have to be a connecting flight but you have to have 1 leg of RT booked on SWA vs AT code share

note this current policy, i was told it's subject to change as all things. I'm hoping the seat assignment capability is #1 on that list.

Since SW is shutting down AT, I think the reverse will happen. AT will loose it's ability to assign seats.

 

[keishashadow]

Since SW is shutting down AT, I think the reverse will happen. AT will loose it's ability to assign seats.

likely but then early bird should then be offered when booking on SW site. nice to have the 'free' bags but for many with kids in tow, it's all about the seats. supposedly in test phase, hope they address this issue.

 

[arthuruscg]

I suspect that the seat section would be replace with SW early bird seats. This might happen for the august 2013 flights when SW is swapping the 717 planes with Delta's 737 planes.

 

[mousestruck]

This is quite the dilemma, as I'm planning to book flights for early November as soon as the schedule opens in March... which is soon! I flew AirTran for the first time last fall because SWA didn't have any nonstops available (out of PHL)... they significantly reduced their schedule after acquiring AirTran. I hated the baggage fees, but I loved paying the $6 for seats and not worrying about check-in 24 hours in advance. I have friends that did not pay for seats and wound up getting bumped from their flight because of it (it was overbooked and those with seats had priority)... so I'm not sure I'm willing to risk that in exchange for free bags. I hope they fix this problem soon!

Byw... anyone know when in March SWA/Air Tran will expand its schedule?

 

[DebbieB]

I suspect that the seat section would be replace with SW early bird seats. This might happen for the august 2013 flights when SW is swapping the 717 planes with Delta's 737 planes.

SW is sending 3 AirTran 717's a month to Delta through 2015 (total 88). Delta isn't sending any planes to SW, they are using the 717's to replace regional jets and Northwest's old DC-9's.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/de...thwests-boeing-717-fleet-2012-05-22-134852612

 

[arthuruscg]

SW is sending 3 AirTran 717's a month to Delta through 2015 (total 88). Delta isn't sending any planes to SW, they are using the 717's to replace regional jets and Northwest's old DC-9's.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/delta-air-to-sublease-southwests-boeing-717-fleet-2012-05-22-134852612

Your right, southwest is getting new 737-max.

 

[mjperry]

The B717-200 from Air Tran fleet are going to Delta, SWA will keep the B737 from AirTran.
SWA currently flies B733 (which are on the way out)B735 B737NG B738 the 737MAX will not enter service until 2017 which will most likely change.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[arthuruscg]

likely but then early bird should then be offered when booking on SW site. nice to have the 'free' bags but for many with kids in tow, it's all about the seats. supposedly in test phase, hope they address this issue.

SW also has a very generous gate check and child luggage policy. You can check in, or gate check the careseat and FULL SIZED strollers, in addition to the normal 2 free bags. I find this better then having assigned seats. Since some airlines will not let me gate check our Bob stroller. The Bob is our DS2 "safe" place and it reduces the terrible 2s in the airport or while traveling. Also, I can load the Bob up with all the carryons and the wife will carry DS. I look like I am homeless going thru the airport but it give me so much more freedom. We also usually take one of the back rows, so finding seats together is not an issue. I also usualy get permission to board in the family group to install the carseat while the wife and DS wait to board at the last minute.

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/carryon-bags-pol.html

 

[mjperry]

SWA is the Best airline in my opinion, they have the most direct flights to MCO then any other.
They are friendly, fast, and always seem happy to be flying that's my experience anyway.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[keishashadow]

SW also has a very generous gate check and child luggage policy. You can check in, or gate check the careseat and FULL SIZED strollers, in addition to the normal 2 free bags. I find this better then having assigned seats. Since some airlines will not let me gate check our Bob stroller. The Bob is our DS2 "safe" place and it reduces the terrible 2s in the airport or while traveling. Also, I can load the Bob up with all the carryons and the wife will carry DS. I look like I am homeless going thru the airport but it give me so much more freedom. We also usually take one of the back rows, so finding seats together is not an issue. I also usualy get permission to board in the family group to install the carseat while the wife and DS wait to board at the last minute.

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/carryon-bags-pol.html

aha! it's you with the giant stroller lol.

my adult kids never pay for seats either on SWA, even when traveling with tots (they drag along a small McClaran stroller). They're seasoned travelers, as you must be, to know it's doable to sit together on SWA when utilizing family preboard if you head to the back if the plane.

This does make it potentially problematic though for those who have medical issues that limit mobility/low vision, etc. Many aging baby boomers don't request a blue sleeve to preboard, electing to 'pay' for a seat or chance to board early instead.

Will be interesting to read reports here as to things play out on full MCO flights.

 

[mjperry]

Full MCO flights, not sure what you are talking about. Anyway SWA no offers wifi on all of the -700's

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[lost*in*cyberspace]

SW also has a very generous gate check and child luggage policy. You can check in, or gate check the careseat and FULL SIZED strollers, in addition to the normal 2 free bags. I find this better then having assigned seats. Since some airlines will not let me gate check our Bob stroller.

Most US airlines have the same policy as WN! AA does not allow strollers 20 pounds or more to be gate checked, but most others still do.