Which flight would you go with??

[Our3ps]

Hey Everyone,

So I am trying to decide between two flights out of MCO to BWI on SW. We have the following options.

A direct flight operated by AirTran (booked on SW) or a SW flight that has a plane change and a 45 minute layover in Nashville.

Here are my concerns with the two flights:

AirTran direct flight we would chance not being seated together. We are staying at the Hyatt the night before so I could go to the SW ticket counter and try to rearrange our seats the night before, but not guaranteed. We are a family of five, kids range from 4-9. 4 & 6 year old would not do well separated.

SW flight with a 45 minute layover. We get to Nashville late or they are already boarding we end up in group C even though I paid for EB. We are back to square one and not sitting together.

So which flight would you risk going with??

 

[taylor3297]

Hey Everyone,

So I am trying to decide between two flights out of MCO to BWI on SW. We have the following options.

A direct flight operated by AirTran (booked on SW) or a SW flight that has a plane change and a 45 minute layover in Nashville.

Here are my concerns with the two flights:

AirTran direct flight we would chance not being seated together. We are staying at the Hyatt the night before so I could go to the SW ticket counter and try to rearrange our seats the night before, but not guaranteed. We are a family of five, kids range from 4-9. 4 & 6 year old would not do well separated.

SW flight with a 45 minute layover. We get to Nashville late or they are already boarding we end up in group C even though I paid for EB. We are back to square one and not sitting together.

So which flight would you risk going with??

I would book the Airtran flight via the Airtran website and pay the $6 ahead of time for the seats. I know Airtran charges for checked luggage, but for me the direct flight is worth it.

 

[Our3ps]

Sorry I didn't clarify....these are rebookings that I am stuck with on SW.

And I just checked and they are more on AT's website.

I would book the Airtran flight via the Airtran website and pay the $6 ahead of time for the seats. I know Airtran charges for checked luggage, but for me the direct flight is worth it.

 

[taylor3297]

Sorry I didn't clarify....these are rebookings that I am stuck with on SW.

And I just checked and they are more on AT's website.

Well that does make a difference.

I still tend to go with nonstop if at all possible.

 

[DebbieB]

I'd take the non-stop. Connections can be stressful.

 

[lylone]

What is more important? sitting together or or less time in transit.

I am sure you will be able to get two seats together easily...four or five would be hard. I fly air tran all the time and we pay for seats only so we can sit in the front, but would sit in the back for a nonstop any day. Some of those flights with stops through southwest are crazy to MCO. I am afraid they may be pulling out of MCO in the future.

 

[Our3ps]

What is more important? sitting together or or less time in transit. Is there just two of u? I am sure you will be able to get two seats together easily...four or five would be hard. I fly air tran all the time and we pay for seats only so we can sit in the front, but would sit in the back for a nonstop any day. Some of those flights with stops through southwest are crazy to MCO. I am afraid they may be pulling out of MCO in the future.

Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer me. I was just looking for some input to our options and you have done exactly that. We will probably pay a little more for a later flight to be nonstop on southwest. As we hardly fly (maybe once every 1-2 years) I am thankful I have somewhere to come to ask more experienced posters/flyers for feedback. Thank you again.

 

[DebbieB]

What is more important? sitting together or or less time in transit.

I am sure you will be able to get two seats together easily...four or five would be hard. I fly air tran all the time and we pay for seats only so we can sit in the front, but would sit in the back for a nonstop any day. Some of those flights with stops through southwest are crazy to MCO. I am afraid they may be pulling out of MCO in the future.

Why would SW pull out of MCO? They have a ton of business, especially combined with AirTran.

 

[Our3ps]

I'd take the non-stop. Connections can be stressful.

Thank you Debbie!

 

[JaimeA]

I hope SW doesn't leave MCO, that is the only airline we fly out of our small airport that goes to MCO.

OP I would go with the non stop, I agree with PP it will be less stressful.

Enjoy!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[HoosierDisneyDad]

My vote is also for the non-stop flight on AT. Be sure to check-in right at the 24-hour mark for the best chance of selecting seats together.

 

[lylone]

They have already decreased a lot of the flights from ATL to MCO. There used to be a nonstop to and from every hour or two. Now its like two in the AM and a few in the PM. MCO was AirTrans hub and when another corporation buys one out the main office usually is gone after awhile. They have already pulled out of Pensacola. I see them getting rid of a lot of direct flights to Florida from ATL and then there will be no competition for Delta again and prices will soar.

 

[DebbieB]

They have already decreased a lot of the flights from ATL to MCO. There used to be a nonstop to and from every hour or two. Now its like two in the AM and a few in the PM. MCO was AirTrans hub and when another corporation buys one out the main office usually is gone after awhile. They have already pulled out of Pensacola. I see them getting rid of a lot of direct flights to Florida from ATL and then there will be no competition for Delta again and prices will soar.

Atlanta was AirTran's main hub, SW didn't even fly into Atlanta before the merger. They did cancel most of AirTran's small cities but they will still fly to MCO from larger cities. SW is more of a leisure airline, business travelers favor the legacies because they offer first class, international travel, more elite benefits. What gets more leisure business than WDW, they are not going to give that up.

 

[seashoreCM]

I would go with the nonstop.

Are you sure you can't select seats? I would make the flight choice and, a day later, if it does not work on line, telephone and inquire about selecting seats.

 

[Gracie09]

I would not count on getting everyone moved together. So are you prepared to be several rows away from your children. Also the gate agents reassign seats not the ones at checkin so you would have to wait until you get to the gate to try and move. I would either purchase tickets through air tab and select seats or do the other flight.

 

[goofy4tink]

Seriously guys??? I have deleted all posts, responses and quotes that have anything to do with the whole non-stop vs direct issue. If someone would like to start a new thread discussing the 'differences', fine. But, it has no bearing on this discussion. And the attitudes were not very pleasant.
I don't really like to 'amend' posts through editing, but sometimes I have no choice. Sorry but that's the way it is.

 

[Gracie09]

I would go with the nonstop.

Are you sure you can't select seats? I would make the flight choice and, a day later, if it does not work on line, telephone and inquire about selecting seats.

if you purchase AirTran through sw you can't choose sets. It's one of the quirks due to the merger. You get free luggage though.

 

[mikehn]

nonstop from MCO to BWI is like 2 hours and some change. I would take a non stop and get it over with if you can get 2-3 seats together. The agents try their best to seat minors with a parent.