SW Buys Airtran!

[MinnieGirl33]

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/so...fares-farther-2010-09-27?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Less competition is NEVER good for the consumer.

SWA fares from PHL-MCO have been crazy lately. AT was their only real competition. With them gone there really is no hope for a fair fare until/unless someone else emerges.

 

[NancyIL]

http://www.lowfaresfarther.com/frequently-asked-questions/

I'll be using my business-class upgrade vouchers in the next 7 months!

 

[Inkmahm]

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.

Exactly! This has ruined my Monday morning. I LOVE Airtran and refuse to fly Southwest. I am NOT a happy camper.

 

[Inkmahm]

http://www.lowfaresfarther.com/frequently-asked-questions/

I'll be using my business-class upgrade vouchers in the next 7 months!

No!!!!!! Business class is one of the things I love most about Airtran!

 

[NancyIL]

No!!!!!! Business class is one of the things I love most about Airtran!

Q: What about Bag Fees?

A: As you know, Southwest does not charge a bag fee for the 1st or 2nd checked bag. AirTran charges $20 for the 1st checked bag, $25 for the 2nd, and $50 for additional bags. Upon full integration, it is our intent to have a consistent product offering. It is our intent that the bag fees would not be part of that product.

Q: Will you charge a Change Fee?

A: As you know, Southwest does not charge change fees. AirTran charges a $75 for any changes made after purchase. Upon full integration, it is our intent to have a consistent product offering. It is our intent that the change fees would not be part of that product.

Q: What about assigned seats?

A: As you know, Southwest does not assign seats. AirTran does offer seat assignments including Business class and Coach. Upon full integration, it is our intent to have a consistent product offering. It is our intent that seat assignments would not be part of that product.

Q: What about dual class service?

A: As you know, Southwest offers one class of service. AirTran offers Business class and Coach. Upon full integration, it is our intent to have a consistent product offering. It is our intent that dual class service would not be part of that product.

And no more flights from DFW.

 

[aubriee]

http://www.lowfaresfarther.com/frequently-asked-questions/

I'll be using my business-class upgrade vouchers in the next 7 months!

Oh no! I hadn't even thought about my A+ Rewards credits and I've already paid for coach seats for both our Oct and my Dec trips.

 

[McKelly]

Ugh - this does not make me happy either. With kids, I like having assigned seats and I am willing to pay for them. Well, hopefully, Frontier sticks around in MKE, I will fly them with assigned seating. They are usually fairly competitive.....for now.

 

[Missytara]

Ditto for me out of BWI; even with the seat fee and the baggage fee, Airtran has always been slightly lower. I snagged a great fare this year.

Unfortunately, I will not set foot on a SW plane, so they are not going to have my business.

And that means I will no longer be flying on a non-stop flight, since SW and Airtran were the only ones.

 

[RachelTori]

Oh no! I hadn't even thought about my A+ Rewards credits and I've already paid for coach seats for both our Oct and my Dec trips.

I wouldn't panic yet. There are still a number of approvals before the deal can go through, so that buys us all some time (thank goodness). I think our bookings are safe through 2010 at the very least.

Although I often quietly complain about flying out of the world's busiest airport and only basically having a choice between Airtran & Delta, I LOVE my Airtran and will hate to see this acquisition go through. I always thought I wanted Southwest to come into the ATL market, but that was IN ADDITION TO, not INSTEAD OF.

 

[aubriee]

And no more flights from DFW.

What about those of us living in the Dallas area that already have tickets on Air Tran for the next few months? I know the Wright Ammendment prevents Southwest from flying out of DFW, so what are they going to do about those of us that already have tickets? I just checked my email earlier this morning and found an email from Air Tran where my flights in Dec had a small schedule change and I had to click that I accepted them.

 

[Inkmahm]

Arrrrrgggh. I went through this when Midwest was my favorite airline and it turned into a nightmare without the comfy business class seats. I started to fly Airtran and fell in love with Airtran instead of Midwest. Here we go again.

Southwest is ALWAYS more expensive out of Milwaukee to MCO on flights that I want. I really am disappointed with today's news. We will end up paying more for our flights and getting less. I want my business class seats! GRRRRR.

 

[Dan Murphy]

No!!!!!! Business class is one of the things I love most about Airtran!

UGH!!!! First Midwest, now AirTran.

 

[TDC Nala]

This could be wonderful - but I still would want to know how it will affect the three Airtran flights I am still booked on this year.

I was annoyed that I coudn't take SWA to Orlando from Dulles anymore without swinging through Chicago. Of course it could mean that I can't go from any local airport without swinging through Chicago.

But if I were to get the opportunity to have direct flights and be able to change them without penalty...awesome

 

[dburg30]

If southwest wanted to use AT's model, dont you think they would have been using it already? That would be like walmart buying some other store and switching to their model?? Dont see where that would have made sense.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Rewards dept sent the info....this is AWESOME news for many people in Westchester UPstate area in NY....SW is an amazing airline and only GOOD things will come to many people that can now fly them!! (including some of my own family) that flew Airtran because they had too and almost always had issues!!

 

[aubriee]

What about those of us living in the Dallas area that already have tickets on Air Tran for the next few months? I know the Wright Ammendment prevents Southwest from flying out of DFW, so what are they going to do about those of us that already have tickets? I just checked my email earlier this morning and found an email from Air Tran where my flights in Dec had a small schedule change and I had to click that I accepted them.

Nevermind, just found this on Washington Post:

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Southwest's acquisition of AirTran is expected to close in the first half of next year. It requires both regulatory and shareholder approval. The airlines expect to fully blend their operations in 2012.


Still hate that American Airlines will now be our only option for nonstop flights from DFW to MCO though. Don't know what to do about our upcoming May trip. I hate layovers, don't want to fly out of Dallas Love Field, and besides Southwest has always been more expensive here. I guess we can look for American to go WAY UP on their prices since they will be the only option for nonstop flights out of DFW now.

 

[NancyIL]

It will take awhile before all the changes are implemented:

Q: What is the timeline of the transaction and next steps?

A: The boards of directors from both companies have unanimously approved the definitive agreement for Southwest to acquire AirTran. AirTran’s stockholders must approve the acquisition at a special stockholder’s meeting, and the transaction is subject to review by the U.S. Department of Justice and other regulatory approvals. The timeline for receiving necessary approvals can vary. Closing is contingent upon these approvals.

Until closing, Southwest Airlines and AirTran will continue to operate as independent airlines; therefore, Customers, Southwest Employees, and AirTran Crew Members (as they refer to all their employees) should expect no immediate changes.

After closing, Southwest plans to integrate AirTran into the Southwest brand by welcoming AirTran Crew Members into the Southwest Family, transitioning the AirTran fleet to the Southwest Airlines livery, developing a consistent Customer Experience, and combining frequent flyer programs over time. Employees and functions will be integrated into the Southwest Family as soon as possible.

Ultimately, and subject to receipt of necessary approvals, Southwest expects to operate under a Single Operating Certificate within 18-24 months after closing the acquisition.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

SW is an amazing airline and only GOOD things will come to many people that can now fly them!! (including some of my own family) that flew Airtran because they had too and almost always had issues!!

If it's GOOD to pay more, lose satellite radio and ASSIGNED seats, I don't want any part of it.

 

[Sea Turtles]

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/so...fares-farther-2010-09-27?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Less competition is NEVER good for the consumer.

SWA fares from PHL-MCO have been crazy lately. AT was their only real competition. With them gone there really is no hope for a fair fare until/unless someone else emerges.

Amen. We needed that competition out of Philly. Seriously bummed about this...

 

[emmabelle]

I actually like SW and I hope to see SW add some direct flights from Logan to MCO, since Airtran usually has two flights per day for this.