Southwest vs. AirTran

[two*little*birds]

Looking to book our flights early (we go in October).

We have flown AirTran before, but never with Southwest.

Are they similar in terms of seat pitch and comfort? Snacks? What about TV or movies?

AirTran is $1238.40 for the 4 of us.
Southwest is $1350.40 for the 4 of us.

Any opinions?

But then again I just saw that we can fly Air Transat from YYZ for $1774.16.

I miss the days of crossing the border and saving $1K+

 

[disneydreamgirl]

We choose to fly Southwest because of the flexibility of being able to change flights easily, either due to a reduction in the fare thereby gaining a credit for use within the year of the first booking or by switching for different timing during the day (ideally without a charge if the fare is the same as what we booked initially). We've never had to cancel a trip however in the back of my mind the ability to easily change to a later date is a nice comfort.

We haven't flown AirTran so I can only comment on Southwest being comfortable enough, snacks are Christie snackbags and tea/coffee/juice/pop and staff are really pleasant, even funny at times. No TV or movies on the flights we've been on, but we haven't missed that due to iPods or tablets as a distraction. Also, we've only flown 3 hours or less, so no long-haul flights.

 

[newdeal]

Dont book at those prices. We have flown the past few years in spetember and october and would expect you to not be paying over 900 for the 4 of you (and if you catch a good deal more like $750). Also look at jet blue

 

[SmilingGrump]

Southwest doesn't charge for bags. I've never had a bad experience with them and found the crew to always be cheerful and fun (I know other's have had different experiences, but I've found it this way). Westjet was originally based on the Southwest model, but lately Westjet has strayed from that model.

I've no experience with AirTran, sorry.

As for Air Transat ... they fly cattlecars. They squeeze in as many seats as regulations will allow and trim all the expenses where they can. They have the advantage of being cheap and if you're not too tall, have the seats so close together might not be a problem for you. Personally, I avoid these type of "charter" airlines, my comfort and safety is worth the extra few dollars but a lot of people like the extra money in their pocket vs a few hours of discomfort.

I am surprised at the cost of Southwest. You can usually find airfare for $99 or less (one-way) and they often have seat sales of $49. I'd suggest that you keep checking for one of these seat sales. Perhaps check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Southwest and keep an eye out there for sales.

 

[minniemomof3]

I have flown both and between the two I would pick Southwest only because of the no change fee. Otherwise, I find them both the same in comfort and service. The other difference is Southwest boards by section, you can't reserve a seat, where as with AirTran you can pay a small fee and pick your seat. This may or may not be important to you.

If you can get Jet Blue for the same price, they are my favourite of the three, mainly because of the blue chips and individual tvs.

We are flying in July and will be flying with AirTran going down and Southwest coming back. The non stop flight times worked better with our schedule this way. I paid $1,548 for 5 of us, I haven't seen $49 seat sale in years!

 

[dsneygirl]

I am surprised at the cost of Southwest. You can usually find airfare for $99 or less (one-way) and they often have seat sales of $49. I'd suggest that you keep checking for one of these seat sales. Perhaps check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Southwest and keep an eye out there for sales.

$49 each way are long gone. The BUF-MCO route never seems to have good rates any more. usually you are looking at $100-$150. last year in Sept we paid $134 each way.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Dont book at those prices. We have flown the past few years in spetember and october and would expect you to not be paying over 900 for the 4 of you (and if you catch a good deal more like $750). Also look at jet blue

Actually....the prices that we are seeing right now, $150ish incl tax one way, seems to be the new norm. I've been watching fares multiple times per day since November and they have done nothing but go up. There has not even been 1 sale. In the past I have always been able to book RT tickets for under $180(nonstop) including tax for travel in August and September.


OP...that's a really great deal on Air Transat. I would be super tempted by that. However, I think the savings are still significant by flying from BUF. You have to price it all out....parking, gas, hotel the night before if required.

 

[two*little*birds]

$49 each way are long gone. The BUF-MCO route never seems to have good rates any more. usually you are looking at $100-$150. last year in Sept we paid $134 each way.

I agree.

We too prefer to fly JetBlue, but their prices are even higher this year.

I will keep looking...

 

[Alderbrook]

We just booked JB for Sept for $145 each way. SW & AT were comparable (we've flown both & never a problem) but AT does charge for bags & seat selection. I also haven't flown for $49 in ages. 2 years ago the cheapest we got was $114 SW on the way down & $79 return with AT. Remember you don't have to book both flights with the same carrier.

 

[LivieTARDIS]

never been on air trans but flew with southwest last year[and going again this year]. no tv's or movies [a very no frill's airline] but pricing out other airlines they seem to be the cheapest [and bags are free well at least the first one is] the seating is a weird setup i dont like it [with the boarding passes]. but for the most part it was a good way to travel [i read the way down and slept the way back]

 

[declansdad]

Southwest now owns Air Tran and you will start seeing Air Tran phased out shortly.

I have never flown with Southwest and only once with Air Tran. WE had no problems but I wasn't impressed with the comfort of the Air Tran seats.

 

[RCMommy]

We have flown both and never had an issue with either. i.e, delays, luggage lost, etc.

That being said, I don't really prefer one over the other so I go with whichever has the better time for our family and the price difference after factoring in seat selection and bagge fees on Air Tran.

Our last flight on Southwest to Seattle we did buy the Early Bird boarding (or whatever it was called) because we had a stop over both ways and we wanted to be able to sit together with our kids.

I found the staff on Southwest very friendly!

 

[kc1]

WE had no problems but I wasn't impressed with the comfort of the Air Tran seats.

Seat pitch on SW is a little better (1"-2") than Air Tran. That might factor into OP's decision depending on your height.

http://www.airlinequality.com/Product/seats_americas.htm

Edit: apparently, pitch is not an exact measure of legroom, but I believe it probably has a large correlation.

 

[declansdad]

Seat pitch on SW is a little better (1"-2") than Air Tran. That might factor into OP's decision depending on your height.

http://www.airlinequality.com/Product/seats_americas.htm

Edit: apparently, pitch is not an exact measure of legroom, but I believe it probably has a large correlation.

It wasn't the legroom, just felt like I was sitting on a bench.

 

[pigletto]

It wasn't the legroom, just felt like I was sitting on a bench.

I don't remember exactly what my husbands complaint was now, but I do remember that of all the flights we've ever taken the only one he's ever complained about was Airtran. He's tall and it was a really tight squeeze for him when the teen in front of us put her seat back. He said he was uncomfortable in the seats to start with but that put it up a notch.
I didn't notice a big difference but I'm short.

 

[My 2 princesses]

I'm just the opposite of you, I've never flown AT before but bit the bullet yesterday. My DH is tall, but for 2.5 hours flight, I'm sure he can handle it or he's driving next time We ended up paying a little over 1K for the 4 of us and we added on a day.

 

[two*little*birds]

DH and I are both tall, I'm 5'9" and he's 6'1". So pitch is very important to us.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

SW seating is 3 to a row. Airtran is 2 seat to a row,
SW no change fee if you need to change your flight.
No baggage fee for SW.