What I just learned re. Airtran flights booked through SWA

[mousestruck]

After reading through some recent threads regarding seating on AirTran flights booked through SWA, I called both airlines to get the official scoop on how seats are assigned.

First, both airlines confirmed that seats are assigned at the point of check-in (up to 24 hours in advance) vs. at the airport. I was happy to hear that... until Airtran went on to say that seats are assigned randomly, meaning there is absolutely no assurance (or likelihood) that individuals on the same reservation will be seated together. In fact, it is entirely possible that everyone will be seated separately... kids included. The only way to increase our chance of being seated together is to wait to check-in at the airport... which, of course, increases our chance of being bumped if the flight is full/overbooked and others checked in sooner.

Ughh... I am regretting my decision to book my Airtran flight through SWA to save the baggage fees. I knew there was some risk re. seating, but I thought there would be effort on Airtran's part to seat people on the same reservation together. My kids are older, but I still don't like the idea of being seated all over the plane. Sooo... now I'm kicking myself for being frugal, and I'm considering changing our flight to a less desirable time on a SWA operated flight for peace of mind. Of course it will cost me more (even without change fees), and kids will miss a whole day of school vs. a half day... but I guess the silver lining is that we get a few more hours at Disney.

 

[jennyjinx3]

Can you not pre pay for your seats like on Airtran? We have done that to ensure we are all seated together. Does Southwest not do this?

 

[mousestruck]

Can you not pre pay for your seats like on Airtran? We have done that to ensure we are all seated together. Does Southwest not do this?

Unfortunately, no. If you book Airtran flights through SWA you cannot pre-purchase seats or Early Bird Check-In.

 

[jennyjinx3]

Unfortunately, no. If you book Airtran flights through SWA you cannot pre-purchase seats or Early Bird Check-In.

So you save on the baggage fee, but lose out on the pre-paying for your seats. Wow, thanks for passing along that info.

 

[taylor3297]

Thanks for sharing. I was considering by our flights via the Southwest site.

 

[dudspizza]

Yep. Basically, the Airtran flights purchased via the SW site is the old SW system (no EBCI). You have to be online exactly at the 24 hour mark in hopes that you get seats together. The negative to it is that everyone who booked directly with Airtran have had the opportunity to purchase seats ahead of time.

 

[tyzzle]

Yep. Basically, the Airtran flights purchased via the SW site is the old SW system (no EBCI). You have to be online exactly at the 24 hour mark in hopes that you get seats together. The negative to it is that everyone who booked directly with Airtran have had the opportunity to purchase seats ahead of time.

Except as op pointed out even that does not mean in anyway you will be together since the seat assignments are completely random. It doesn't matter if you check in right at the 24 hour mark

 

[mousestruck]

Except as op pointed out even that does not mean in anyway you will be together since the seat assignments are completely random. It doesn't matter if you check in right at the 24 hour mark

Exactly... that is the concerning part. I had hoped that checking in at the 24-hour point would increase our odds. You'd think the automated system would aim to put seats on a single reservation as close together as possible, but that does not seem to be the case.

 

[sifko36]

I have flown AirTran countless times and every time during my online check in I have chosen my seat assignments. And a quote from their website

"Passengers using the online flight check-in program will be able to select their seat assignment during the online check-in process."

 

[maxiesmom]

Except as op pointed out even that does not mean in anyway you will be together since the seat assignments are completely random. It doesn't matter if you check in right at the 24 hour mark

If you pay for an AirTran flight on AirTran you still get to pick your seats.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Sorry, I am confused.
First, both airlines confirmed that seats are assigned at the point of check-in (up to 24 hours in advance) vs. at the airport.

Southwest does not assign seats. It assigned a boarding position and then you choose your seat once you board the flight.

AirTran allows a passenger to pre-pay and choose their seats in advance, or wait until the 24 hour mark when they may choose their seats during the check-in process.

So someone booking AirTran on the Southwest website, will get the bags fly free, but cannot pre-pay for seats. Their seats may be picked at the 24 hour check in process as per the AirTran website:

Passengers using the online flight check-in program will be able to select their seat assignment during the online check-in process. To change an existing seat assignment, from the itinerary page of the program, click on the link for currently assigned seat number to get to the seat map and select another seat.

So the OP bought her Air Tran tickets through the Southwest webiste and got free checked bags but no seats until the 24 hour when she can choose seats for her party, but there is no guarantee that the seats will be available next to each other.

 

[msjprincess]

I have flown AirTran countless times and every time during my online check in I have chosen my seat assignments. And a quote from their website

"Passengers using the online flight check-in program will be able to select their seat assignment during the online check-in process."

That's if you book through AirTran. If you book it through SWA they assign you seats, you don't get to pick them.


http://www.airtran.com/faq/swa_airtran_connectivity.aspx?nav_id=72


Q: Is it possible to purchase an advanced seat assignment for the AirTran segment of an itinerary that was purchased via Southwest channels?

A: Advanced seat assignments are not available on shared itineraries purchased via Southwest channels. Customers who purchase an AirTran segment on Southwest channels will be assigned a seat at the time of check in.

 

[tyzzle]

If you pay for an AirTran flight on AirTran you still get to pick your seats.

I know, but I have rewards and there aren't any reward seats left on airtran, buy I can convert for points for sw on the same flight. Also people have bought seats on sw only to have the flight changed to an airtran flight after purchase. It is such a messy way of doing things.

 

[jennyjinx3]

Jetblue is looking better and better.

 

[gmeh1]

I know, but I have rewards and there aren't any reward seats left on airtran, buy I can convert for points for sw on the same flight. Also people have bought seats on sw only to have the flight changed to an airtran flight after purchase. It is such a messy way of doing things.

The flights are clearly marked Air Tran flights when you select your flights. There is no switching going on.

 

[maxiesmom]

Jetblue is looking better and better.

It is only merger pains. After that all will be smooth once again.

 

[Our3ps]

I am so stressed out right now. I didn't know this beforehand or else I wouldn't have purchased these tickets. We are booked on Airtran flights booked through SW. I have a 4, 6 & 9yr old and they seriously will not sit alone. There should be a huge red flag that goes up when purchasing tickets. I guess I am gonna have to do daily searches and hope the SW flights go down before our trip.

 

[batman79]

I wish when you purchase the tickets they would make more clear to you that they might not assign you seats together. Had no idea they could seat you all over the place separately.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I wish when you purchase the tickets they would make more clear to you that they might not assign you seats together. Had no idea they could seat you all over the place separately.

NO airline guarantees seats or that parties traveling together will be seated together, with the exception of a disabled passenger who needs a caretaker and a few airlines which will seat a parent and a young child together (I believe British Airways is one).

 

[maxiesmom]

I am so stressed out right now. I didn't know this beforehand or else I wouldn't have purchased these tickets. We are booked on Airtran flights booked through SW. I have a 4, 6 & 9yr old and they seriously will not sit alone. There should be a huge red flag that goes up when purchasing tickets. I guess I am gonna have to do daily searches and hope the SW flights go down before our trip.

I'm sorry you missed it, but there is a huge notice about seating, right after you choose your flights.

After you pick your flights the next pages shows you the flights and the total cost. There is a green "I" that pops up and states What you need to Know to Travel. It is smack in the middle of the page, so I'm not sure how you didn't see it. I'm not posting this to berate you, but so that others who are purchasing tickets will know to look at this section, and not skip it. It is very important!