Southwest or Airtran

[gerbs]

Does anyone have any info on what airlines they prefer, Southwest or Airtran

They both seem to have similar airfares especially from philly

Southwest is confusing because of all the different categories

I have never flown on an airline which I did not have a seat!

Help Please !! Family of 5 with 3 small children so I do not want to get to the airport and find out that I do not have a seat or we are not together !

 

[safetymom]

Welcome to the DIS.

If you get to the airport early enough or check in online chances are you will have an A boarding pass. This will allow you to board in the first group. You shouldn't have any problems getting seats together. Southwest is very flexible with changes to your travel so that is why lots of folks fly them.

Airtran is very good but you can't get a seat assignment until the day before you travel. You have to call early or check in online at the 24 hour mark if you want to get your seats together.

 

[dkrause716]

Never flown on Airtran but we L O V E SW out of Philly! Their prices are great, planes are roomy and comfortable, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. They also do not charge to change your flight--so if a better price comes along you can take advantage of it. I have done this several times and just get a credit to use on a future trip but I have read on these boards about people who have gotten refunds.

I just booked our flights for July this morning. Tonight I got "Dinged" and rebooked to save $75! Now I have money to use towards a future trip!
The seating thing has never been an issue. Most times we have gotten A boarding but once we got B. No problem, we still sat together.

Good luck!

 

[travelin' tigger]

Family of 5 with 3 small children so I do not want to get to the airport and find out that I do not have a seat or we are not together !

Never flown Airtran but LOVE SWA!!! If you have small children (at least 1 under the age of 4 or 5) you will be allowed to preboard with you family.

People always panic over not having assigned seating, but this allows you to pick your seats as you're boarding the plane. Usually only "C" boarding passes will have a tough time getting seats together (if your party is more than 2).

HTH!!!!

 

[Kent]

I've been debating the same thing.

For Southwest how do you know what type of boarding pass you are getting. What would I do to avoid getting a "C" boarding pass?
Also, I will be with a 3 years old, would that mean we could preboard even with a "C"?

Thanks for any help.

 

[travelin' tigger]

I've been debating the same thing.

For Southwest how do you know what type of boarding pass you are getting. What would I do to avoid getting a "C" boarding pass?
Also, I will be with a 3 years old, would that mean we could preboard even with a "C"?

Thanks for any help.

You don't know what pass you'll get until you check in - most people who check in online in the early morning get an A, I usually check in online around 7am for my flight out and also get an A. Coming back from Orlando I sometimes end up with B, but have NEVER gotten a C. If you checkin at the airport, you should get an A or B if you're there 1.5 - 2 hours in adv.

If you're with a 3 year old it doesn't matter if you get A, B or C because you are allowed to preboard.

HTH!!!

 

[Brian Noble]

You probably won't go wrong with either. Just pick the one with the price/times you like. SWA is a bit more flexible if you aren't absolutely sure you are going. On the other hand (and unlike many other DISers) I find the cattle-call boarding process at SWA a bit stressful, even with an A pass.

 

[disneyaggie]

I used to fly SW, but afer finding out they practiced reverse discrimination, I totally boycotted their airlines, along with many others as well.

I love Air Tran and have flown them numerous times. Very nice crew and on time departures and arrivals. Yep, they now have my business!