SW Buys Airtran!

[JB2K]

I'm just hearing the news, myself...

A previous poster said that the two airlines operate very differently -- this is true, and I believe what pushed this purchase (besides a shaky economy) is AirTran holds prime landing slots/gate space at airports where SWA has a minimal/no presence at all at places such as ATL, EWR, BOS, and others (to include the Caribbean and Mexico, which will be a first for SWA).

That said, I don't see Southwest adopting AirTran's current business model (since Southwest's own model has been very successful for them, over the years).

Instead, I see the other type aircraft currently operated by AirTran eventually being replaced by SWA's all-Boeing 737 fleet. I also envision the eventual "dismantling" of AT's hub-and-spoke system currently used in ATL and MCO.

For me, the merger is hard to get excited over, as my best friend's wife works for AT @ MCO, plus both airlines already have a presence here at home (St. Louis) with Southwest already being the largest airline.

In other words, jobs are going to be lost at places where both airlines operate...

 

[JB2K]

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.

Even with no fees for checked luggage?

For those from Philly/South Jersey who are initially disapproving of this merger, think back to before 2004 when U.S. Airways was the only airline operating out of PHL.

That, even then, was some expensive airfare!

 

[Brian Noble]

Definitely bad news for anyone at an airport where they compete for business. And, sadly, DTW is one of those.

Even with no fees for checked luggage?

Yes. SW is rarely the least expensive airline to MCO from DTW. They used to compete with Spirit, DL, and AT on the MCO nonstop route. Even including all baggage fees, seat fees, etc. SW was usually no better than third, unless they happen to be running a sale. Now that they've discontinued nonstop service from DTW, I hardly even check them anymore. Presumably, they might keep one or two of AT's DTW-MCO nonstops. But, they might not.

 

[PoohBear]

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

 

[NancyIL]

It seems Southwest fans like it because it opens up new destinations for them. It's the AirTran fans who are unhappy.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

As a shareholder of LUV, I like the move - an easy way to get into markets. i like the international options too.

Have never been a big fan of the Airtran model, but flew them as needed. But I hate the assigned seats on Airtran. Last week coming home from Nassau, there was a screaming baby who you guessed it was right behind me. Sold out flight - no option to move.

 

[SDSorority]

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

I JUST GOT THE EMAIL FROM SOUTHWEST!!!! OHHHHHH I SURE HOPE THIS HELPS AIRTRAN!!!!!!! My mouth DROPPED when I opened the email!!!!!

 

[NancyIL]

As a shareholder of LUV, I like the move - an easy way to get into markets. i like the international options too.

Have never been a big fan of the Airtran model, but flew them as needed. But I hate the assigned seats on Airtran. Last week coming home from Nassau, there was a screaming baby who you guessed it was right behind me. Sold out flight - no option to move.

What do assigned seats have to do with a screaming baby? You could have the same screaming child behind you on Southwest.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

What do assigned seats have to do with a screaming baby? You could have the same screaming child behind you on Southwest.

Duh - screaming baby in gate area, screaming baby boards plane. When I board I am right in front of screaming baby. At least on SW I would not have to sit there. But on Airtran I was stuck.

 

[NancyIL]

Duh - screaming baby in gate area, screaming baby boards plane. When I board I am right in front of screaming baby. At least on SW I would not have to sit there. But on Airtran I was stuck.

I doubt you were the only person on the plane who heard the screaming baby.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I doubt you were the only person on the plane who heard the screaming baby.

Probably not, but as she was in the front of the plane, I would have relished the chance to move to the back.

I just like to choose where I sit. If I am traveling with kids, sitting by kids can work our great - they can play together, if I am on business I would rather find a guy in a suit and sit next to him.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I am most worried about the lack of competition. AT and SWA were my 2 'go to' airlines for pricing. I am concerned the largest impact of this merger will be higher prices.

 

[DebbieB]

Definitely bad news for anyone at an airport where they compete for business. And, sadly, DTW is one of those.

Yes. SW is rarely the least expensive airline to MCO from DTW. They used to compete with Spirit, DL, and AT on the MCO nonstop route. Even including all baggage fees, seat fees, etc. SW was usually no better than third, unless they happen to be running a sale. Now that they've discontinued nonstop service from DTW, I hardly even check them anymore. Presumably, they might keep one or two of AT's DTW-MCO nonstops. But, they might not.

PIT is also one of those. SW & AT are the only non-stops to MCO. AT completes with Delta for Atlanta, I fly to Atlanta often on business and the fares are low.

If anyone wants to see more discussion, there are threads over on flyertalk on both the AirTran and SW boards. AirTran frequent flyers are not happy.

 

[pr surfer]

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.

MCO isn't a business destination for most. It can't support high fares. You should be fine.

 

[SueM in MN]

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.

When Southwest came to the Minneapolis market, they were promoting themselves like crazy as a less expensive option.
We looked at Southwest for 2 trips to WDW and one conference I went to in July in New Orleans.
Even with bag fees, they were more expensive for the first trip to WDW on Airtran and the second WDW trip and the New Orleans trip on Delta.

So, I don't think it is a good thing - yes, no added fees, but more expensive overall.

It seems Southwest fans like it because it opens up new destinations for them. It's the AirTran fans who are unhappy.

Count me as unhappy.
I don't see that it gives anything to the AirTran fans. It takes away all the things we liked and gives us nothing.

 

[bubba's mom]

^ There are something like 37 airports that only operate AT or SW. Merging them will offer both airlines service out of ALL those airports.

For those from Philly/South Jersey who are initially disapproving of this merger, think back to before 2004 when U.S. Airways was the only airline operating out of PHL.

That, even then, was some expensive airfare!

We had no choice but to fly n/s to MCO on USAir. The first chance to fly SW we had (out of PHL), we did....and we loved it. (sure the $49 & $79 fares didn't hurt either! ) We have not flown USAir since SW came to PHL. Mostly because the fares are cheaper, less likely to have a delay (something that always happened on USAir) and no bag fees. To be honest, we purposely avoided AT because they get "checker happy"..which, in our family means, they usually screw with your itinerary (and not usually for the better of the customer).

It seems Southwest fans like it because it opens up new destinations for them. It's the AirTran fans who are unhappy.

Yeah...it's opening up international destinations! Looking forward to those....esp San Juan (family lives there and a lot of southern cruises depart from there....which makes me think the southern caribbean ports are gonna get busier...because the airfare will be more affordable!)

 

[blondietink]

I am just afraid that for those of us who already have both airlines from our local airport (in this case BUF), we will go down to only once choice and they will take out the cheaper Air Tran. Although we have never flown Air Tran because the flight times were always bad for us, it is a good option for some. After all, it said in the email that Southwest was looking forward to adding additional markets with AirTran.

Now we also have the option of flying out of Rochester, NY, which only has Air Tran and not Southwest. Perhaps this will make them more competative in that market.

 

[pr surfer]

So with this Southwest gains a hub at ATL (which in itself is huge), increases their hubs in MCO and BWI, gains a small international network it can grow, and a fleet of ETOPS rated 737's.

I don't see them integrating the 717's into their fleet though. I see Southwest getting rid of them as quickly as they can get new 737's. They'll probably be like the old Northwest DC9's that Delta didn't even both to repaint after their merger.

Coming from SJU though, I'm curious to see how no assigned seating will work here. There has never been an airline here to offer that.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Boooooo. Hisssssss.

I love assigned seats and business class. I need to know 100% that my family can sit together and I'm willing to pay for it to avoid being stressed at the airport.

I'll probably try SW on a solo trip just to see what it's like but I have a bad feeling I'm not going to like it. I want my business class!

 

[skhermsmeyer]

Here's what I got in my email from Airtran earlier this morning.

"We have some very exciting news for you. AirTran Airways has entered into a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by Southwest Airlines, subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.

Spreading Low Fares Farther banner
The blending of these two great airlines will bring low fares and exceptional customer service to more markets and more consumers. The two airlines serve 106 different cities in the US, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Until the necessary approvals are secured and the transaction is closed, the two companies will continue to operate as separate and independent airlines. So, it will be business as usual as we continue to provide you with the exceptional customer service you expect.

For you, our valued customer, the ultimate outcome is significant and exciting. Learn more at www.lowfaresfarther.com.

This is the dawning of a new era, and we are excited about the potential for the future. We appreciate your support and are counting on you staying with us for the ride."


Since I live in ATL this *might* be a good thing since SW has been trying to get a hub here for a while. The last few times I've flown AT, I was more than disappointed. It will be interesting to see how this goes over the next few months.