Too Early for Airtran Direct Flights to Disney World?

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

I am planning a trip to Disney the last week of September and I would like to take Airtran direct with no stops or layovers. I have never booked flights before, but my TA was able to get me a direct flight in March two years ago for a September trip and I would like to do the same.

Am I possibly too early - could direct flights open up in the coming weeks? I have been checking the website and dates just opened up recently for the last week of September when we are going, but none of them are direct.

This is all new to me so forgive me if my question seems silly. I have three small ones so I don't mind paying more so we don't have to stop. Thanks!

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Airtran's flight schedule for September has not yet been opened.

"Flight schedule currently open through 8/8/14. Will extend for future bookings in Mar. 2014"

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

It did bring up Southwest listings - is that because it is owned by Southwest? Are they not actually Airtran flights then?

I am sorry if I sound silly or dumb - this is all compeltely new and intimidating to me!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Make sure not to confuse 'direct' with 'nonstop'.

A nonstop flight does as its name suggests: flies from one airport to another without stopping. A direct flight, on the other hand, makes stops along the way. Often, passengers traveling on direct flights make a stop at a midpoint airport and remain seated on the plane while some passengers exit and others board.

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Additionally, an itinerary with connecting flights requires passengers to change planes at a midpoint airport, which may be in a different terminal or on a different airline.

A nonstop flight is generally the quickest way to get from Point A to Point B, but the major airlines may charge a premium for the convenience. Flights that connect through a carrier's hub cities are often less expensive, and flights on low-fare carriers like Southwest often require at least one connection. Note that while connecting flights may be less expensive, you'll have to pay additional airport charges (Passenger Facility Charges or PFCs) for each airport you stop at, which can raise the overall price by up to $18.

Depending on the circumstances of your trip, the convenience of a nonstop flight may be worth the price imposed by the airlines. But, if you're not in a hurry to arrive, you may be able to save by booking a direct or connecting flight. Compare prices for each type of flight to be sure.

http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/difference-nonstop-direct-flights.html?id=336285

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

Yes you are right - I am using the wrong terminology. I apologize. I mean a nonstop flight.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The flight schedule for AirTran Airways is currently open through August 8, 2014. AirTran's schedule will be extended some time in March 2014.

You're asking about nonstop service, not direct service (a direct flight can make one or more stops).

Does AirTran still (before August 8, 2014) provide nonstop service on the route you want?

Keep in mind that AirTran is being phased out. AirTran is supposed to be gone by the end of this year. Southwest is growing as AirTran is shrinking. Southwest is not simply taking over AirTran's route map, although for some routes, that's what's happened.

AirTran should still be around in September 2014 but as a smaller airline than in July 2014 and as a much smaller airline than it was a few years ago. It's very unlikely that AirTran will add back old routes that have already been phased out.

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

So, if Airtran is growing smaller am I best to be checking Southwest also?

How are they different - I understand Southwest owns Airtran now but are there any major differences if I were to take one or the other that I should know about?

 

[Dan Murphy]

AirTran has reserved seating if you want to purchase, as well as business class upgrades. I always upgrade to business and will dearly miss AirTran when it fully converts to the cattle call company.

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

Thank you - this has been very helpful!

I am not a frequent flyer - and don't intend on ever being one! This will be my second time flying ever, the first being our last trip to Disney. LOL I just want to get there safely in one piece as quickly as possible. In addition to being a pain with children I think having to sit in another airport for a layover might amp up my already frazzled nerves about flying. Fingers crossed.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

So, if Airtran is growing smaller am I best to be checking Southwest also?

How are they different - I understand Southwest owns Airtran now but are there any major differences if I were to take one or the other that I should know about?

By all means, check Southwest too. However, be aware aware that Southwest is not taking over AirTran routes on a one-to-one basis. For example, when Southwest replaced AirTran at Des Moines, Southwest changed from nonstop Milwaukee service to nonstop Chicago (Midway Airport) service.

Also, check other carriers. You can use www.kayak.com or www.hipmunk.com to compare many airlines (but not Southwest and not some smaller airlines) and even just to figure out which carriers, if any, now provide nonstop service on the route that you're looking for.

Southwest does many things differently than other major airlines. But it's a fine airline, especially in how it allows changes to nonrefundable tickets without change fees and how it provides two free checked bags.

Before worrying how the airlines differ, I would recommend figuring out if you even have more than one option (or any option) for nonstop services, given that that's important to you.

To see what carriers offer the service, play with dates in July. Although legacy airlines (Delta, United, American, US Airways) already offer tickets for September, AirTran and Southwest won't do so until some time in March.

 

[DebbieB]

Southwest will be releasing September dates on Monday. You can book AirTran flights on the SW website and you get 2 free checked bags. You can still pay to reserve seats on an AirTran flight.

Are you flying from Cleveland? It doesn't look like AirTran is flying anymore from Cleveland to Orlando.

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

Oh great, thank you both.

Yes, the two free checked back is enticing me about Southwest/Airtran. Last time we didn't check a single bag and now that my youngest (3 yrs) is old enough we have to buy a seat, that's two more bags! LOL Not only do we save it's nice just to have our things with us.

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

Southwest will be releasing September dates on Monday. You can book AirTran flights on the SW website and you get 2 free checked bags. You can still pay to reserve seats on an AirTran flight.

Are you flying from Cleveland? It doesn't look like AirTran is flying anymore from Cleveland to Orlando.

Debbie - no we fly from Akron/Canton. Thank you though!

 

[DebbieB]

Debbie - no we fly from Akron/Canton. Thank you though!

I would check on Monday on the SW website.

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

I will, thank you very much!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Oh great, thank you both.

Yes, the two free checked back is enticing me about Southwest/Airtran. Last time we didn't check a single bag and now that my youngest (3 yrs) is old enough we have to buy a seat, that's two more bags! LOL Not only do we save it's nice just to have our things with us.

Also keep in mind that, even though SW gives you two free bags, it's sometimes can be like 'free' dining at WDW. A free 2 bag flight on SW can be more expensive than another airline charging for the bags. Also, business class on AirTran does give you two free bags with the upgrade.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

This summer, the only airline offering nonstop service from Akron–Canton Regional Airport (CAK) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) is AirTran Airways.

The southbound flight is a convenient mid-day flight -- perfect to let you get a good night's sleep before flying, while getting you to Orlando in time to do some things on your first vacation day. The northbound flight is rather late, not arriving back in Ohio until almost midnight (but it gives you a lot of time to do things in Orlando on your final day).

There is no guarantee the same flight will still exist in September. It could remain on the ever-shrinking AirTran schedule. Or it could be replaced by Southwest service, possibly at a different time. Or nonstop service could disappear entirely (that's happened many places), in which case any CAK-to-MCO service is likely to involve a connection.

For your benefit, I hope your nonstop service stays on the AirTran schedule.

Depending on where you live, would driving to a different airport be option? Cleveland? Pittsburgh? Columbus?

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

Just an update - I booked our flights today (Monday) as someone here suggested more flights would open up for Southwest today! We were able to get Nonstop flights both ways for the Getaway price which was $100 per person less than we paid last year when our TA booked us!!! Woohoo - thank you for the help!! Love the Disboards!!!

 

[TandLMommy28]

Also keep in mind that, even though SW gives you two free bags, it's sometimes can be like 'free' dining at WDW. A free 2 bag flight on SW can be more expensive than another airline charging for the bags. Also, business class on AirTran does give you two free bags with the upgrade.

Today when I looked, the same flights were $10 less when booked through Southwest as opposed to Airtran and you get free bags so in this case, it was a far better deal to book though SW. And we were also looking at the last week of September. I booked through Southwest!.