Thinking of flying-Need tips/advice/info...

[UGAFan0829]

My DH and I have always said we'd love to fly to WDW just once to see what it's like. He's never flown at all before, and I've only done so twice--and both times were for work so I didn't do any of the bookings, etc.

We managed to find a pretty good fare through AirTran (which I thought was now SouthWest, so I'm a bit confused there), so we're thinking about booking for our trip down in September. I looked at their site, and it looks like you pay for your checked baggage, which isn't a huge deal as I'm hoping we can manage to stick to two pieces of luggage since it's only for a long weekend.

Does anyone here have any experience with flying in general or specifically with AirTran? I also looked at SouthWest's fares, but they don't offer any direct flights from Atlanta which is why I didn't choose them.

Thanks so much!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

AirTran and Southwest are still two separate airlines.

Did you check out the Transportation board? There are lots of good tips and discussions of both these airlines there.

 

[UGAFan0829]

I didn't, and totally forgot about that board, so thanks so much for reminding me!!

 

[dhardawa]

I just flew AirTran Saturday. I'm pretty sure they are now owned by the same company, but are still two separate airlines. I paid $20 per bag (there were three of us flying and we had two bags total so both were considered 1st bags) and both flights were on time. My only complaint was that I didn't want to spend extra to pick my seats and we ended up in the next to the last row going down where you can't see anything out the window and in the last row coming back where there is no window. The bouncing in the back and lack of window resulted in Max dry heaving during the landing. I wasn't happy at all.

 

[Diz2012]

I highly recommend AirTran. They generally have the lowest fares. Last time I went down to Disney it was $70 per person, each way. I try my best to always use AirTran when flying anywhere, but if not, my 2nd choice is USAir.

With AirTran last time I flew, they took off about 20 mins late but still managed to arrive about 15 minutes early, so that was a plus!

 

[sullins5]

We've always had great luck with Airtran! We carry-on what we can, and then pay for our checked luggage. We've always had great service, and been on time. And right now these rates are great! I've been trying to help some friends get to Disney in October, and today they booked Airtran for almost 1/2 off...it was $408 pp all year, and today $216 pp!!! HTH's

 

[Gumbo4x4]

From Georgia? I wouldn't bother. By the time you hassle with the airports at both ends, even if there are no delays you gain what a couple hours? If you were going somewhere much further away, it'd make a lot more sense. Granted, it sounds like you're just doing it so DH can try the flying thing once, so there is that. OTOH, do you want to chance "ruining" the flying experience by risking saving no time at all?

 

[sk!mom]

For a long weekend why not try to go with carry on luggage. You can each have a carry-on size case and then a personal item.

We can pack for a week in our carry-on size cases.

 

[sullins5]

For a long weekend why not try to go with carry on luggage. You can each have a carry-on size case and then a personal item.

We can pack for a week in our carry-on size cases.

Agree completely!

 

[ceecee]

We always fly AirTran and have never had any problems. Even though they are now owned by Southwest they do charge. We paid $20 for each way EACH way ($80) it is worth it to me not to worry about the bag. Amazing how many people try and stuff these big bags into the overhead. Two had to be taken off the plane on our return flight home, I wondered how they made it on the plane to begin with.