SWA vs Air Tran?

[leslie826]

The last few times I've flown it was on SWA and planned do try to book them again. However the $25 coupon for Air Tran has me thinking... I know AT has fees to check luggage and often changes flights. Is there anything else I'm missing that may give SWA an even bigger edge?

 

[DVCBELLE]

For me, Airtran is at my home airport vs. a two hour drive. That makes it a no brainer for me. But the advantage for SW if they are at the same airport would be that you can get fare adjutments and even cancel your trip without penalty. If the price is comparable...I would book with SW.

 

[annagirl]

SW still gives you drinks and snacks for free. Plus they are a SUPER nice airline. We had a delay due to rain and DD got to go up to the cockpit and talk to the pilots and they gave her an activity booklet, a pilot wings sticker and a certificate for her first flight, signed by the captain, copilot and all the attendants. It was great!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

With Airtran you can book two one way tickets and use 2 of the $25 coupons for a savings of $50 a person.

 

[dogruledhouse]

Where do you get these $25 coupons for Air Tran?

 

[kevgraub]

The last few times I've flown it was on SWA and planned do try to book them again. However the $25 coupon for Air Tran has me thinking... I know AT has fees to check luggage and often changes flights. Is there anything else I'm missing that may give SWA an even bigger edge?

To me, if the costs of the flights are somewhat close (after adding in the cost for checking a couple of bags for our family), I would prefer to go with Airtran. But it really depends on your travel habits and preferences.

For one thing, I like being able to reserve my seat ahead of time to ensure we are all sitting together (either free through kayak or by paying $6 per person). I know that you can go on SW exactly 24 hours before your flight and get an A boarding pass and be in good shape. However, when I am getting ready to go on vacation, or am on my last day of vacation, I have enough going on that I don't want to have to worry about missing that exact 24 hour time for check-in.

Also, the fact that SW gives you credits if the cost goes down doesn't really appeal to me that much. We fly probably once every three or four years, so any SW credit would probably go to waste. If you travel a lot, that is a nice perk that SW offers.

Like SW, Airtran also offers free beverages, and last time I flew they gave free snacks too (although I'm not sure the free snacks airlines give out are really a perk).

We are not on a real tight schedule, so the flight changes with Airtran don't really bother me too much. If you need a really solid schedule, then SW is nice in that regard. We booked our flights on Airtran in February for our trip in September. So far they have changed our flight times 3 times. Our departing flight is now leaving 8 minutes earlier than we originally planned, and our returning flight is now leaving 13 minutes earlier than we originally planned. Our layover in Atlanta on the way home sas gone from 47 minutes to 56 minutes. Although there are some exceptions, I think that Airtran's famous flight changes are kind of overblown, and generally are no more than just a few minutes either way.

I like both airlines, and have flown both airlines, and would fly both again. Each has its positives and its negatives. If the cost is close, and I'm not on a really tight schedule,then I prefer Airtran - especially if I'm traveling with my family. But I have absolutely no problem going with SW either.

 

[Microcell]

I would be an Airtran newbie, what if you have to cancel your trip? Are they as flexible as SW or are you out that $800.00 lets say?

 

[DebbieB]

I would be an Airtran newbie, what if you have to cancel your trip? Are they as flexible as SW or are you out that $800.00 lets say?

You will get a credit on file for 1 year from the original purchase date with a $75 change fee.

What I love about SW is no change fee. I've also found Air Tran changes their schedules frequently, SW does not.

 

[JandT'smom]

Go with SW airtran has changed our schedule three times in the three weeks with out ever letting us know of course. it is still a long time till we fly in NOV.

 

[NancyIL]

You will get a credit on file for 1 year from the original purchase date with a $75 change fee.

AirTran charges a $75 change fee per ticket.

I like to fly AirTran to Orlando because they have a non-stop flight from an airport an hour away that has free parking. To fly Southwest I'd have to drive 2 hours to Indianapolis and pay to park.

 

[poohbear8]

I went with SW this year going down to MCO. Last year I used AT both ways. Going down, they changed my flight several times. They were willing to move me to another day without a fee, but I had to get a supervisor and explain how they messed up my vacation plans. (included a shuttle launch and us going to see it...which NASA eventually cancelled)

Based on that, I wouldn't use them unless it was really cheaper and you didn't HAVE to be in WDW at a certain time.

 

[kevgraub]

We booked our flights on Airtran in February for our trip in September. So far they have changed our flight times 3 times. Our departing flight is now leaving 8 minutes earlier than we originally planned, and our returning flight is now leaving 13 minutes earlier than we originally planned.

Just an update, Airtran changed our flight times again. They have now changed 4 times. Our flight to Orlando now leaves 4 minutes earlier than originally planned, and our flight home is now 8 minutes earlier than originally planned.

Again, I think that in many cases, the flight changes on Airtran are kind of overblown and most of the changes are pretty minor. Our flight has changed 4 times - which seems horrible. However, the flights are still within 10 minutes of what we booked 5 months ago.

 

[griergirl2]

Where do you get these $25 coupons for Air Tran?

You get them here:
http://airtran.com/sunshine/

 

[LovinRafiki]

I would strongly suggest not booking with Air Tran! Our nonstop flights have become a 3+ hour layover both ways. We are very upset with Air Tran and are currently trying to get out of our tickets and book with someone else. Maybe the 25$ coupons are to try to calm you after you book and they change flight times and totally wreck 2 of your vacation days!

 

[griergirl2]

You should just be able to call and get refunded since they changed your flights...When they changed our's, we got the refund no problem and booked what worked for us then.

 

[LIFERBABE]

You should just be able to call and get refunded since they changed your flights...When they changed our's, we got the refund no problem and booked what worked for us then.

My experience also. Airtran does not give you a hard time to cancel changed flights.
Southwest does not offer any nonstops out of DAL so I always try to book the nonstops with Airtran.

To me flight changes are my hedge against paying the $75 change fee. Airtran always changes before I do, which gives me a free change. Never had a nonstop completely eliminated, just time adjusted by a few minutes, but nothing major.

I can get away with carryons, and if I have paid baggage, I upgrade to Biz Class on Airtran which gives me 2 checked bags free! Plus I get a bigger seat and wine

Needless to say, I prefer Airtran over Southwest.

 

[jamstew]

Southwest for me because it's cheaper from my home airport, no luggage charges, and no fee to change flights. I booked Airtran for my DD & her family from DFW (because they had nonstop at mentioned), but they changed it around so many times that it just wasn't worth it. Canceled & rebooked with SW. The stop in Houston isn't a big deal since it's at the old Hobby Airport, which is small and easy to navigate quickly.

 

[Missytara]

Personally, I prefer Airtran. I travel the Saturday of T-giving, so I prefer knowing that I have my seat already assigned and I am sitting with my party.

Also, I like the convenience of the ME with my bags going to the airport and I don't have to worry about my baggage till I get to my home airport.

Historically, the difference in cost has been about $20.00, which you end up tipping skycaps, so I would rather go with the convenience with Airtran.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

Also, I like the convenience of the ME with my bags going to the airport and I don't have to worry about my baggage till I get to my home airport.

The resort airline check-in is a big factor for us. It's is sooooo nice not to have to worry about checking your bags at the airport.

I've never flown SW because I have always been able to book lower fares with Air Tran. Even if the baggage fees (I use kayak.com, so no charge for booking seats) make the fare the same or slightly more than SW, being able to use RAC makes AT a no-brainer for us.

Now, if SW decides to offer RAC at every airport, I'm sure I can see flying them in the future.

 

[kevgraub]

I would strongly suggest not booking with Air Tran! Our nonstop flights have become a 3+ hour layover both ways. We are very upset with Air Tran and are currently trying to get out of our tickets and book with someone else. Maybe the 25$ coupons are to try to calm you after you book and they change flight times and totally wreck 2 of your vacation days!

You are currently trying to get out of the tickets? It should be absolutely no problem. Just call Airtran, tell them the new flight scheduel does not work with your plans and you want a refund. I've never heard of anyone having any problems at all getting a refund in a situation like that.