Southwest or AirTran do you have a preference?

[Mercy]

I've been checking prices for my trip next month and both these airlines have the same price. Which would you book with?

 

[momof2disprincesses]

I've never flown SW, but I've watched Airline and thought to myself, "why would anybody fly SW?" Some of their policies seem strange to me and I like being able to pick my seat before I fly. It's my impression from this show that seats are first-come, first-serve on SW.

I am loyal to AirTran - we fly them exclusively, especially when going to Orlando. We've always had excellent customer service, on-time flights, and I love their reward program.

My 2 cents is fly AirTran.

 

[we3disneygo]

another vote for Air Tran !!

 

[Threeriversdisneyfan]

I believe SWA has a better on time arrival rate. One vote for SWA.

 

[CarolA]

SouthWest HANDS DOWN.

AirTran is consistently delayed if you have to connect in Atlanta.

If you have to make a change to the ticket AirTran will charge you $50, SW doesn't. Same thing on fare reductions easy to get the credit on SW.

Courtesey of employees. No Contest SW wins.

And getting to pick my seat 24 hours in advance just isn't that much better then open seating IMHO.

 

[disneyldwjr]

I am with SWA all the way. On time/early a high percentage of the time, very liberal change policies, wonderful flight crews and a real down home approach to business.
And, THEY NEVER CHANGE OR CANCEL FLIGHTS, except in emergencies, like hurricanes.

 

[Pinnie]

Another vote for SWA for all the same reasons as listed above. The one that is MOST important to me is that once I book a flight on SWA, I know that plane will fly unless there is a weather or mechanical problem.

I also appreciate the fact that there is NO charge if I need to change or rebook a flight.

Hands down SWA!!!

pinnie

 

[MycatlovesEeyore]

I have spent too many days sitting in Atlanta due to Air Tran delays to ever trust them again. Many of these delays we discovered were due to not having a full flight so the first flight of the day would be cancelled and the passengers combined on the second. After the third time, it just left a bad taste.

Nevr had a problem with SW other than them requiring copies of birth certificates for my DD's.

 

[Lewisc]

I'd pick based on price and best time for a N/S flight. IF IT'S CLOSE I'D PICK SW for the reasons mentioned by the previous posters.

 

[CarolA]

And did you see SW has a sale to FL next month....

 

[jmpellet]

Love SWA and wouldn't fly anyone else to Orlando or anywhere else they fly for that matter.

Would NEVER fly AirTran as they are simply ValuJet rebranded -- look at the news stories...

 

[erikthewise]

I prefer Airtran, mostly because it has a nonstop from our local airport (Dayton) with great flight times. Also we have purchased cheap upgrades to Business class on more than one occasion -- really nice. Whenever I look Southwest out of Columbus, it is more expensive than Airtran...

I have flown Southwest once, on a two-leg trip with both Airtran and Southwest. Differences were very minor. With Airtran I had a boarding pass with seat number 24 hours in advance. With Southwest I had to stand in line clutching my A pass instead of relaxing. The Southwest attendents were somewhat more upbeat.

The "Valujet rebranded" knock is more than a little unfair, and old "news" in any case. Their fleet is (almost?) entirely new since the Valujet incident, the youngest fleet among major airlines.

 

[jmpellet]

But it is something that I personally will not forget. I think new planes can have problems too. It's a matter of maintenance records and history that had me wondering. I think the same people are in charge...

 

[captchris]

Nevr had a problem with SW other than them requiring copies of birth certificates for my DD's.

Why did they require birth certificates? We are taking a cruise so we will have DD and DS birth certificates.

 

[disneyldwjr]

Why did they require birth certificates? We are taking a cruise so we will have DD and DS birth certificates.

The only require the Birth Certs. for children under the age of two that are flying for free.

 

[Lewisc]

The only require the Birth Certs. for children under the age of two that are flying for free.

or if the child is flying with a youth or child fare. Normally the fares we book on the web are cheaper than SWs child fares.

 

[iluvflorida8]

It isn't even close........Southwest!! Show me another airline that doesn't charge you 1 cent to change or cancel a resevation?

 

[PeachesDoesHair]

I love southwest. Their seating never bothered me as I always get to preboard with kids. Also, you get a credit for each flight, no matter what the distance. It is much easier to aquire frequent flyer rewards with southwest. They are cheap and every fligth we have ever been on has been on time. Love SWA!

 

[BNC]

I personally enjoy flying southwest, because of the rewards points they have. I earn a free flight so fast. Besides that southwest has traditionally had better fairs too, I fly out of chicago midway so they probably have a better chance filling all of the seats though. Price is a big issue that's why we choose to look at southwest or airtran, but I am always concerned about timing as well. I was able to get to Disney earlier on southwest so I picked them, it was an extra bonus that they also had much cheaper seats! I got my last tickets on southwest at a steal, $54 each way, $130 roundtrip tax and all those dumb service fees included. I have seen them as low as $45 each way though! Just IMHO though!

 

[Kira G.]

I have flown both many times, and much prefer Southwest. Why?
- I never have a problem with getting decent seats, even the one time we forgot to get on the computer (whoops!) and got "B" boarding passes - and there are 6 of us!
- Their change/cancellation policy is the best. It really helped me out last year.
- Airtran has changed my flight times numerous times, sometimes VERY drastically, usually without informing me. Southwest never does this.
- Oh, and everyone at Southwest is so nice!

All that said, I will still use Airtran from time to time if their prices are better. But if the itineraries/prices are comparable, I would go with Southwest.