What's Up With ATA?

[zeke11]

Is it "safe" to book a November 2005 flight on ATA now? Does the merger with Southwest mean that they are now out of the bankruptcy thing and that if I prepurchase tix now they will probably be ok?

Forgive my ignorance! I know nothing about these things-

Kris

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Well, I saw that they are discontinuing service from Midway to many cities next month, including Orlando, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Charlotte, and some others. I'd probably book with someone other than ATA if I were you.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Is it "safe" to book a November 2005 flight on ATA now? Does the merger with Southwest mean that they are now out of the bankruptcy thing and that if I prepurchase tix now they will probably be ok?

Personally, I wouldn't do it.

Even if ATA is around in November 2005 (and I hope they will be), their schedule will undoubtedly keep changing between now and November.

 

[zeke11]

Hey thanks for the info!

I will probably go with a safer option --

Kris

 

[Pinnie]

SWA and ATA have agreed to "CODE SHARE". If you google "ATA code share SWA" you will find some information about what that means.

pinnie

 

[twinscandc]

My DH and I were wondering this same thing as we just booked our flight with ATA for our upcoming May, 2005 trip. We live just south of Indianapolis where ATA is headquartered. We hear local news also about them....we are hoping a praying that they stay flying!!!!

BTW - they were the cheapist that we could find. We got 4 RT tickets for $547. That comes out to be about $136 per ticket!!

 

[inkkognito]

We're booking through ATA for lots of upcoming flights and have our fingers crossed. There could be a problem, but the Southwest deal looks pretty stable. I figure it's worth the gamble.
Barb

 

[4formickey]

we flew ual last sept, and they have been in money trobles since 9/11. They will remain to be a good option until they go under. trip insurance will help any one dealing with this issue.

 

[siennacrew]

Make sure to keep checking your itinerary. I have put mine on my favorites and check it at least twice a week. Our flight times have changed 3 times. ATA has been very good about changing them to better times. Our plans keep changing!!! It has been pretty frustrating!

 

[westjones]

I am watching for ATA specials in June. I hope they continue flying, we really like ATA. We flew Northwest in December because they had a better price, and we really missed ATA and their TV shows they put on during the flight. It helps to pass the time. Also, ATA has better flight times (of course those could start to change).

I wonder if they will lower prices at ATA once SW comes out with their June prices (I know SW has flights listed up until June 6th, but I need the 16th through 21st).

DJ

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

I have enjoyed flying with ATA twice. I loved the fact that we could fly out of Midway and the prices were fair. That said, my advice is not to book with ATA.

I am thrilled beyond words that, as of Tuesday, I was able to unload the two tix we had purchased and wash my hands of ATA entirely. Last summer, before the rumors and bad news about ATA, we purchased two rt tix to MCO for March 2005. We paid a little over $1,000. Ever since the rumors and bad news, I have been on pins and needles over this, especially since our trip is over busy spring break.

Between the lies that they are not pulling out of Midway (which I suppose is normal in the airline industry), the fact that ATA never once phoned me about the flight time changes (flights changed 3-4 times), the long waits on the phone to find out any info (30-50 minute waits), and the uncertainty of knowing whether or not you will be able to actually get to your five thousand dollar vacation destiny, I was elated when ATA eliminated our non-stop flight, which allowed me to cancel for a full refund. If it weren't for a kind Dis'er posting this info, I wouldn't have known.

Not to offend anyone here, but I wouldn't wish ATA on anyone right now.

Tink

 

[Gary M]

From what I have heard and read, I believe flying out of IND on ATA is OK, but it sounds like the Midway situation isn't so good. We are flying ATA to MCO from IND in early Feb.. I just check their site about our flight information.

 

[zeke11]

You might want to try priceline for tix -- we got fairly decent prices from O'Hare to Midway using them.

Kris

 

[4formickey]

lately a lot of airline have been filing for bankrupcty. This does not mean that they are going out of business. Lets just stick to facts and leave all the other stuff to the court,companies and share holders. Since 9/11 about 4 airlines have filed for bankrupcty AND are still up in the air today. The cost of labor,fuel cost and stealing at the top has cause problems for these people. Lets show them love and wait to see what will happen.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

lately a lot of airline have been filing for bankrupcty. This does not mean that they are going out of business.

True. Over the years, some airlines have emerged from Chapter 11, and some airlines have folded entirely. America West emerged from Chapter 11, and Continental did so twice. US Airways emerged from Chapter 11, only to plunge back in. But do you remember Eastern Airlines, either incarnation of Midway Airlines, either incarnation of Braniff, and the original PanAm? So, it's worth checking out an airline's financial health before buying tickets, especially if those tickets are for many month later.

I think United will be fine in the long run, but I'm less confident in the future of US Airways. I would buy US Airways tickets for the next couple months, but I would hold off on any US Airways tickets for this summer.

The subject of this thread, ATA, is cutting way back at Chicago-Midway. ATA hopes to regain financial viability by concentrating on Indianapolis.

 

[CarolMN]

True. Over the years, some airlines have emerged from Chapter 11, and some airlines have folded entirely. America West emerged from Chapter 11, and Continental did so twice. US Airways emerged from Chapter 11, only to plunge back in. But do you remember Eastern Airlines, either incarnation of Midway Airlines, either incarnation of Braniff, and the original PanAm? So, it's worth checking out an airline's financial health before buying tickets, especially if those tickets are for many month later.

I think United will be fine in the long run, but I'm less confident in the future of US Airways. I would buy US Airways tickets for the next couple months, but I would hold off on any US Airways tickets for this summer.

The subject of this thread, ATA, is cutting way back at Chicago-Midway. ATA hopes to regain financial viability by concentrating on Indianapolis.

Always buy airline tickets with a credit card (not debit) - you will get a refund if the airline is unable to fulfill its end of the bargain.

Best wishes -

 

[4formickey]

travel insurance is also a good deal.