What your opinion of AirTran?

[laughinplace199]

We usually fly Jetblue, but AirTran's prices are better for the dates I'm looking at.

I know that AT charges for checked bags and seat assignments, but even with those charges their fares are still better.

I'm looking at nonstop flights from BOS to MCO.

Any opinions and/or advice is welcome.

 

[ZellyB]

We've had good experiences with them. They are a budget airline, but as long as you know that going in, we've been pleased and happy with the prices.

 

[NedsTJ]

Another good experience here. We flew nonstop from ABE to MCO back in April. Paid for the assigned seats as we wanted to sit together (traveled with an infant), and even with the bag fees it was cheaper than anything else. Of course, we booked 4-5 months in advance, which helped. However, Air Tran has since pulled out of ABE, and we now have Frontier....might have to go back to transferring in Charleston (or was it Atlanta??).

 

[goofy4tink]

I have flown AirTran twice in '12...both times from Boston to Ft. Lauderdale. I actually enjoyed it. Loved the new SW/Airtran terminal...very nice. Anyway....I did pay extra to choose my seats, and I don't usually check a bag when headed to Ft Lauderdale. I'm staying with family so can use a w/d, and can pack lightly.
But....the flights have always been fine. Yes, it's hard to find a direct flight but I have no hesitation about booking with them again.

 

[maciec]

It's been our airline of choice until the merger. I like the assigned seating, hate that I have to pay for bags, and hate the seats. However, with that being said, they have always had great schedules, cheapest prices, fly internationally, and easy to accumulate miles on their credit card. On our flight to Disney in December we are flying SW down and Airtran back.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I am glad to hear the positive comments. We love Jetblue, but couldn't find anywhere close to reasonable prices from our preferred airport (Syracuse) for our Christmas trip. We ended up booking Airtran there and Jetblue home from Buffalo, NY. Airtran had a much better price for the first leg of the journey (even after factoring in seat assignments....which we paid for on booking.....and a checked bag each) and their flight times were far preferable as well.

I am going to miss my TV on the way to Orlando, though .

My DH is a big guy....6'3" and 275 pounds...and felt pretty comfy on the roomy Jetblue planes. Fingers crossed that Airtran is an acceptable compromise in the leg room department.

 

[lylone]

We have been using AirTran for 6 years and love them. Love being able to choose my seats, and also upgrade to business class the morning of the flight. They are the best out of ATL. I am not looking forward to Southwest taking them over. Have already seen some of their influences....

 

[Inkmahm]

We have been using AirTran for 6 years and love them. Love being able to choose my seats, and also upgrade to business class the morning of the flight. They are the best out of ATL. I am not looking forward to Southwest taking them over. Have already seen some of their influences....

Same here. The only difference is that we use the A+ reward credits to upgrade to business class when we can. I can do that the day before the flight. No waiting to see if we can do it for cash the day of the flight.

 

[KrazeeK120]

AirTran recently left my regional airport, but I did have a chance to fly them in March before their departure.

I flew to Orlando via Atlanta on the way and had a direct flight coming back.

I don't have a bad word to say. I paid extra to pick my seats. We got a free upgrade to exit row on our flights going down! The flights were clean, comfortable, and ON TIME.

 

[keishashadow]

In the past AT's customer service department has been more responsive to issues (lost luggage, flight delays) than SWA. It will be interesting to see if it changes.

We use 2 different AT branded CCs, again waiting to see what happens there as to changes - fingers crossed. We usuallly do the 1st class upgrade too but have been able to use credits for flights in the past, just not available until 4 months or so beforehand. I rarely can wait that long lol.

Since the new schedule has been released, i've noticed that SWA has cut back on direct flights to some of the markets we travel out of PIT, sigh. Was surprised to find that the direct flight I needed to FLL in January was less expensive on AT than the connecting ones on SWA, even including seat selection and checked bag.

 

[DemoBri1]

I can give you another thumbs up for AirTran. Have flown them from MDW to MCO on three round trips and we've had positive experiences each time. Not happy that they are not long for the industry as I do not like SW mainly due to the fact that you have no assigned seat possibilities.

We always had pleasant flight attendants and crews. The only thing I'd say is watch your timetables for flight changes.

 

[laughinplace199]

Thanks everyone!