SW Buys Airtran!

[FINFAN]

Still looking for links, but just heard on the news...woah! I had heard a rumor....

 

[NWOhioAngela]

http://www.lowfaresfarther.com/

Posted on SW's facebook page. Whoa!

 

[aubriee]

Still looking for links, but just heard on the news...woah! I had heard a rumor....

Here you go:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Southwest-Airlines-to-Acquire-prnews-3710486497.html?x=0

http://wbztv.com/national/Southwest.Airlines.to.2.1933346.html

 

[Luckymommyx2]

This news is already running rampid on the various travel forums! It's going to be interesting to see how this develops. We recently made the switch from SWA to AT so I'm really hoping this doesn't change the way AT operates too much!

 

[Vickis3js]

I'm hoping this will mean Airtran will stay in Atlantic City. They were never really competitive with Spirit, their fares were always higher and we could never get a direct flight. Right now March fares for SW are a lot lower then Spirit but I hate driving the extra 30+ minutes and paying twice for parking. So I have my fingers crossed that SW will keep Airtran in ACY and have better flights.

 

[ancestry]

I just heard this on the news and ran here to post it but you beat me to it. lol!

 

[aubriee]

This news is already running rampid on the various travel forums! It's going to be interesting to see how this develops. We recently made the switch from SWA to AT so I'm really hoping this doesn't change the way AT operates too much!

Me and you both. Flying out of Dallas our only options for nonstop flights to Orlando are Air Tran and American. Air Tran is our airline of choice and in fact, I already have reservations to fly with them for both my Oct and Dec WDW trips and was just waiting for the dates to come out to purchase flights for our May trip.

 

[DebbieB]

Interesting since they operate so differently.

 

[Missytara]

I would be extremely upset if they change Airtran to operate like SW. I do not like SW at all and love the way Airtran operates.

One SW is enough.

 

[NWOhioAngela]

I would be extremely upset if they change Airtran to operate like SW. I do not like SW at all and love the way Airtran operates.

One SW is enough.

Looks like they are going with the SW model. And there will be on SW, it will just be bigger!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I just want to know what (if anything) will happen to my 717's, business class, assigned seating, XM sat radio, and WiFi?!

 

[loveswdw]

Not sure if I like this. We have flown SW mainly for the past 5 or 6 years. This past June trip we tried AT for the first time because SW couldn't even touch the low fare I got with AT. And each time I've checked airfare since then AT has been considerably cheaper than SW. Each has its pros and cons. AT has baggage and seating fees yet if I can get the tix much cheaper to begin with I don't mind paying the fees. And I've got an assigned seat on AT. I hate having to check in right at the 24 hour mark on SW in order to get an early boarding number (and I don't want to pay an extra $10 to do early bird).

This past June, we flew AT and I got nonstop RT for 4 for under $700 including all seating fees and baggage fees. SW didn't drop below $1,000 the whole season. And I'm like most of the others on this board who watch airfares daily.

Time will tell...

 

[FINFAN]

Looks like they are going with the SW model. And there will be on SW, it will just be bigger!

that is what I am hoping for...we fly both AT and SW Chicgo/Fl a lot...but our expensive hub is into Sarasota for college. We have been hit more times than I like to say on changed flights due to DD's schedule haivng last minute changes etc. Not to mention the luggage costs when moving a college kid! We have flown SW into Tampa or Ft. Myers and driven to Sarasota but rental cars for extra time can really add up and flight times, uggghh. SO, I just hope to no cancel fees and the no luggage fees are across the board now, and I do like the $6 choose your seat option that AT offered, so wonder if SWwill go with that over the EBCI option they added. I have found both had their share of on time issues, so I figure that may remain the same. Never thought I would see SW with 717 planes tho...

 

[bear_mom]

I hope this doesn't affect our flights on AT in December

Emily

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would be extremely upset if they change Airtran to operate like SW. I do not like SW at all and love the way Airtran operates.

One SW is enough.

Yes

I just want to know what (if anything) will happen to my 717's, business class, assigned seating, XM sat radio, and WiFi?!

And yes

 

[FINFAN]

Our usual flight from Chicago to Sarasota on AT has gone up $48 one way...so the down side of the merger surfaces immediately ( basically 3 checked bags worth..but add fees and almost $80 increase based on 2 bags)

 

[saffymom]

SW and AT are the only nonstops to Florida for me. Because they were competing for business, I've always been able to get roundtrip flights for around $200. I have a feeling that with this new deal, that is going to change!

 

[NancyIL]

I don't know if I like this news, as I have been happy with AirTran. I just bought my AirTran plane ticket to Orlando for Easter morning! I hope they keep Bloomington, IL on their route!

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

I don't think we'll like this change either. Even with the fees for baggage and seats, we have always been able to find cheaper flights on AirTran than Southwest.

While I appreciate Southwest's no fees policy, if it's not cheaper than AirTran's fare with the fees, how is that saving me any money?

There used to be 3 airlines flying from Philly to Orlando, now there will only be 2, with USAir being the other. I'm sure we can expect higher fees after this is all done.

Looks like I'll be depending more on Spirit in the future. So once again I'll be happy to pay the fees when the fares are so much lower.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would be extremely upset if they change Airtran to operate like SW. I do not like SW at all and love the way Airtran operates.

One SW is enough.

These were my thoughts too.