Southwest is buying AirTran!

[pennymom]

just read that Southwest is buying Airtran:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/southwest-airlines-to-acquire-airtran-spreading-low-fares-farther-2010-09-27?reflink=MW_news_stmp

I wonder is that means there will be no checked bag fees on AirTran???

 

[SondraC]

Not happy about this!

 

[Uuaww]

Why? Southwest is routinely listed as a favorite airline of most people, gets the highest customer satisfaction ratings and is on time the most often.
Now Airtrans is also a lower cost airline but nowhere near on par with Southwest.

With answerings pennymom's question, it depends. If they label all airtrans planes southwest (and repaint/etc) then yes, they will be just like southwest. Now they might just be the new owners of the Airtrans name since Airtrans DOES NOT follow the Southwest business model at all. So we will wait and see what Southwest does. If it allows the Airtrans name to stay, I doubt much will change with the airlines. However that is not common with airline takeovers.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Got this in my email!
http://www.lowfaresfarther.com/

 

[Pooh67_68]

loveysbydesign the link doesn't work.



Will this have any effect on our flights in Nov.?

The reason we like Air Tran is they have smaller planes and offer direct non-stop flight out of our local airport.

 

[perdidobay]

I am wondering how things will end up after the sale.
In Memphis (a Northwest hub) when Delta bought NWA, we lost flights and the direct nonstop flights to certain destinations became $$$$$.

With two low cost carriers....curious how that will work out.

 

[Geoff_M]

I think it's safe to say that in routes where the two compute, you'll see higher prices.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Me no likey

SWA fares from PHL to MCO have been crazy & AirTran has been their only competition.

The price fixing that goes on with the airlines is bad enough already. Eliminate competition & it gets worse

 

[SondraC]

Why? Southwest is routinely listed as a favorite airline of most people, gets the highest customer satisfaction ratings and is on time the most often.
Now Airtrans is also a lower cost airline but nowhere near on par with Southwest.

With answerings pennymom's question, it depends. If they label all airtrans planes southwest (and repaint/etc) then yes, they will be just like southwest. Now they might just be the new owners of the Airtrans name since Airtrans DOES NOT follow the Southwest business model at all. So we will wait and see what Southwest does. If it allows the Airtrans name to stay, I doubt much will change with the airlines. However that is not common with airline takeovers.

Why?
Because less competition is not a good thing!

 

[golfgal]

Not happy about this!

Why? Southwest is routinely listed as a favorite airline of most people, gets the highest customer satisfaction ratings and is on time the most often.
Now Airtrans is also a lower cost airline but nowhere near on par with Southwest.

With answerings pennymom's question, it depends. If they label all airtrans planes southwest (and repaint/etc) then yes, they will be just like southwest. Now they might just be the new owners of the Airtrans name since Airtrans DOES NOT follow the Southwest business model at all. So we will wait and see what Southwest does. If it allows the Airtrans name to stay, I doubt much will change with the airlines. However that is not common with airline takeovers.

I don't like it either. Air Tran has consistently lower fairs then Southwest out of our airport. I don't like the cattle call seating on Southwest. I like the $35 upgrade to first class for long flights you get on Air Tran. I LIKE being able to pick my seat. Service on Air Tran is equally as good as Southwest. Dang.

 

[loveysbydesign]

loveysbydesign the link doesn't work.



Will this have any effect on our flights in Nov.?

The reason we like Air Tran is they have smaller planes and offer direct non-stop flight out of our local airport.

hhmmm...that's weird...worked earlier this morning...maybe their server is getting slammed.

 

[carone0318]

Me no likey

SWA fares from PHL to MCO have been crazy & AirTran has been their only competition.

The price fixing that goes on with the airlines is bad enough already. Eliminate competition & it gets worse

I dislike too!!!

Last time I bought our tickets, AirTran was about $40 less per person even with the cost of paying for my seat. Now I did have to pay for 2 bags at $15 per bag, but as you can see when you buy 4 tickets, AirTran was definitely cheaper than Southwest. This will not be good for PHL customers... - at least those who liked to fly Airtran!

 

[pennymom]

I have never flown Southwest, as AirTran has always had the lowest prices out of Philly. But I keep hearing good things about Southwest on the DIS, so I suppose we'll have to wait and see. It might be a long time before any changes are seen at all.

 

[TDC Nala]

I wonder is that means there will be no checked bag fees on AirTran???

It appears to mean AirTran won't exist anymore. SWA is intending to pretty much take it over and convert all the flights and planes to the SWA business model. There is an FAQ on SWA's website to that effect. I believe it would also mean no more assigned seats and no more business class, for those who like those aspects of Airtran's service. It will likely also result in less competition and higher fares, at least in some areas.

I like it if it means I get my direct SWA flights to MCO back.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

I don't particularly like this either, just because it eliminates more competition. Flights can be expensive enough as it is... eliminate the competition and there's no reason to not raise the prices.

I wasn't a big fan of the Continental/United merger either and I've always been a huge Continental fan.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

This is bad news for Milwaukee with the new Southwest/Airtran buyout. AirTran and SW have always competed for the lowest fares here. I would base my trip on which carrier had the lowest fare.

Now, all the other airlines in Milwaukee are MUCH higher (Delta, American, Frontier, etc). there is absolutely NO competition left.

The pros to SW are the no-cost bags and their high energy flight crew.
The cons would be the A,B,C seat arrangements.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

http://www.lowfaresfarther.com/


We have some very exciting news for you. AirTran Airways has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by Southwest Airlines, subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.


The blending of these two great airlines will bring low fares and exceptional customer service to more markets and more consumers. The two airlines serve 106 different cities in the US, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Until the necessary approvals are secured and the transaction is closed, the two companies will continue to operate as separate and independent airlines. So, it will be business as usual as we continue to provide you with the exceptional customer service you expect.

For you, our valued customer, the ultimate outcome is significant and exciting. Learn more at www.lowfaresfarther.com.

This is the dawning of a new era, and we are excited about the potential for the future. We appreciate your support and are counting on you staying with us for the ride.

 

[Minnesota!]

I don't like it either. Air Tran has consistently lower fairs then Southwest out of our airport. I don't like the cattle call seating on Southwest. I like the $35 upgrade to first class for long flights you get on Air Tran. I LIKE being able to pick my seat. Service on Air Tran is equally as good as Southwest. Dang.

Agreed. I have no desire to be herded onto a SW plane. I love Airtran. THeir policies and customer service are top notch. Their prices are fabulous from MSP. This is really going to mess things up around here. Grrrr.

 

[adkkev]

This is NOT good for the consumer ... the combination of these two airlines reduces competition, and will probably lead to not only higher fares, but fewer flights as SW trims those AirTran flights that competed with their own. Duplication means a reduction in flights, just as Delta did with NW, and United will do with Continental.

Fewer flights = fewer seats = higher cost for consumers

 

[Colleen27]

I wonder if that means we'll get nonstop Southwest flights out of Detroit and Flint, since Airtran runs those routes, or if we'll just end up down to only two airlines (Northwest/Delta and Spirit) to choose from.