Southwest or AirTran?

[kandmwedding]

I have the option of booking my flight through either Southwest or AirTran for basically the same price. I don't know anything about either - which would you recommend and why?

Thanks!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by kandmwedding
I have the option of booking my flight through either Southwest or AirTran for basically the same price. I don't know anything about either - which would you recommend and why?

Thanks!!

My vote goes to SWA, they are fun!!!

 

[babslittleones]

We just flew Airtran out of Dayton, Ohio. We had new planes on both flights. We were able to get seat assignments 24 hours in advance by using their web site. (I used one of the internet kiosk thingys to do my return flight.) The seating was two on one side and three seats on the other side. Since I did my seat assignments online 24 hours in advance, we got great seats on the 2 seated side of the plane. If I had a choice, I would choose Airtran.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

We also used Air Tran for the first time this past June. Absolutely loved picking out our seats and printing the boarding passes at home. Since we had only carry-on luggage our only stop at the airport was at the security gate. After that it was straight to the plane. What a time saver!
Coming home we picked out our seats via their web site but did not have access to a printer so we had to get on line at Orlando and they printed out our boarding passes. I still liked the idea of confirmed seats since airlines are always selling more tickets than they have seats.

 

[smart cookie]

Airtran without hesitation.

 

[sandbar]

Ditto! We used Airtran last week to WDW. We loved choosing our seats the day before and printing our boarding passes at home. Our planes were new, too. We had a great experience and would definitely fly with them again.

 

[CDisney]

Another vote for AirTran. I like being able to have my seat assignments. With Southwest, I don't like worrying that I might not be able to sit next to my children.

 

[KCDISDAD]

I see a lot of support for Air Tran. Traveling as much as I do though (approx 40 weeks in the last year), I must give Southwest the nod. They are the most on-time and the friendliest staffed airline I have ever flown. Their frequent flyer program is also hands down the best in the industry. If you book on-line you get a free ticket every 4 roundtrips. These can be used whenever there is a seat available w/ the exception of a handful of blackout dates around the major holidays.

Just arrive 60-90 minutes before your flight to get an "A" boarding card and seat selection won't be a problem.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by KCDISDAD
I see a lot of support for Air Tran. Traveling as much as I do though (approx 40 weeks in the last year), I must give Southwest the nod. They are the most on-time and the friendliest staffed airline I have ever flown. Their frequent flyer program is also hands down the best in the industry. If you book on-line you get a free ticket every 4 roundtrips. These can be used whenever there is a seat available w/ the exception of a handful of blackout dates around the major holidays.

Just arrive 60-90 minutes before your flight to get an "A" boarding card and seat selection won't be a problem.

I am with you on this one. Better to know you will have a seat then have one and have the flight cancelled, time changed, etc.
And, Air Tran has been known to change seats when they change equipment. It is rare that you cannot sit together.

 

[prncess674]

both are low-cost no frills airlines. I would go with the airline that has the times that best fit your schedule. I have flown them both and each has it's own set of positives and negatives.

 

[LeapYear Debbie]

Isn't Air Tran the airline formerly known as Valujet? I have read on other boards that this airline was not to be trusted.

I would pick Southwest any day.... Actually, it's my #1 choice when flying.


Debbie