Would YOU book Air Tran today???

[RCMommy]

Hi All,

I know there are various threads about the merge of SW and AT already. I have been watching flights between Delta and AT for a while now from Detroit to Orlando. AT is offering flights for app. $300 less than Delta right now.

However, I know the merge will not happen right away and we fly in January, BUT WOULD YOU BOOK AN AIR TRAN FLGIHT RIGHT NOW, TODAY?

I am worried about certain flight routes being cancelled, flight times being changed, layovers being added etc. We have always flown direct on NWA/DELTA.

When the NWA/DELTA merge occured we were not affected in anyway, other than baggage fees were added. But I know that is not always the case..

Would you risk it? Will AT truly stay the same until the merge is complete so therefore what I am seeing should be how it all plays out?

Please advise!!

 

[DebbieB]

Hi All,

I know there are various threads about the merge of SW and AT already. I have been watching flights between Delta and AT for a while now from Detroit to Orlando. AT is offering flights for app. $300 less than Delta right now.

However, I know the merge will not happen right away and we fly in January, BUT WOULD YOU BOOK AN AIR TRAN FLGIHT RIGHT NOW, TODAY?

I am worried about certain flight routes being cancelled, flight times being changed, layovers being added etc. We have always flown direct on NWA/DELTA.

When the NWA/DELTA merge occured we were not affected in anyway, other than baggage fees were added. But I know that is not always the case..

Would you risk it? Will AT truly stay the same until the merge is complete so therefore what I am seeing should be how it all plays out?

Please advise!!

For January 2011, I would not be concerned. It's not going to happen that fast.

 

[buzz1fan]

I am wondering the same thing. We are looking for April. The flights are much cheaper with air tran. We have never flown with them, but i worry from things i have read her in DIS about changes, etc.

 

[RCMommy]

I am worried about changes as well. We are considering AT because like I said it is $300 cheaper but it also puts us in Orlando 3 hrs later than if we flew Delta. If they are going to bump the flight back even later........I don't know...

For those that have had a flight time changed, what was the average time, are we talking minutes or hours?

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I would book them today.

 

[JB2K]

I know there are various threads about the merge of SW and AT already. I have been watching flights between Delta and AT for a while now from Detroit to Orlando. AT is offering flights for app. $300 less than Delta right now.

However, I know the merge will not happen right away and we fly in January, BUT WOULD YOU BOOK AN AIR TRAN FLGIHT RIGHT NOW, TODAY?

I am worried about certain flight routes being cancelled, flight times being changed, layovers being added etc. We have always flown direct on NWA/DELTA.

When the NWA/DELTA merge occured we were not affected in anyway, other than baggage fees were added. But I know that is not always the case..

Would you risk it? Will AT truly stay the same until the merge is complete so therefore what I am seeing should be how it all plays out?

Please advise!!

It all depends on a number of factors:

• How soon are you flying? If you are flying within the next year or two, I wouldn't worry about it since AirTran will be operating as usual until the deal closes
  
• From the looks of things, you use Detroit Metro - the only changes there would be (within a couple of years) is that the AirTran check-in counter/gates will move over to Southwest. Once the merger is complete, SWA may drop some of the "excess" non-stops to MCO if they can't fill the planes.
  
• The only "shock" you may see as a traveler may see is the eventual elimination of baggage fees (since AirTran charges and SWA does not).

In all actuality, this merger should play-out much as the Northwest/Delta merger did. As for the cheap ticket, I would absolutely go for it (since nothing is going to officially happen for a while).

 

[poohs4me]

I also would book them.

 

[Hoosier37]

We just booked a couple of weeks ago with AirTran, so I was concerned until I did some research - until 2012 AirTran will go on as usual even IF the merger takes place, and tickets purchased now will not be affected.

At least, that's what I have read on various websites.

And I hope that's correct. The ONLY airline flying out on the date we needed, nonstop, was AirTran.

 

[NancyIL]

AirTran is now booking through May 3, and yesterday I bought a ticket to Orlando for April 24 (Easter). Only afterward did I read about Southwest's plans to buy AirTran! That is the flight where I will use the last of my business-class upgrade vouchers. Yes, I would still book with AirTran.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Go ahead and book. The merger will not be complete until 2012! There is lots of paperwork and federal stuff that has to happen before the merger and we all know how slow the government is. Same with United and Continental. Nothing will change for more than a year.

 

[Vickis3js]

I totally would. I know I am sad that AT no longer flies nonstop from ACY to MCO. I am still considering flying them in March and dealing with the layover because their price is a lot better then SW and Spirit even with the bags factored in. Jan. is just 4 months away and they still need to get approvals so I am thinking everything should stay the same until late 2011.

 

[dudspizza]

Yes, I would book them. I am currently holding reservations for March 2011 and would book beyond that if I had a need to fly.

 

[Checkers]

We booked our March flights today with AirTran out of BWI. The price is not as low as we have gotten them in the past but were not too far out of bounds. Keeping my fingers crossed that the flight times do not change too much!!

 

[Honeymooners1021]

I plan on booking with them for my next trip. I'm not scared and they still have the best prices. Hoping to book by the end of this week!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Just purchased my December tix with Airtran yesterday and will be using my Coke reward vouchers for our Jan trip, also with Airtran.
Sure am going to miss them, but I will continue to fly as long as they are around. Cant beat $59-$79 from DFW to MCO nonstop Even with a stop, cant beat it.

 

[pipervali]

I actually did just purchase AirTran tonight for our return leg in November, MCO to Philly. $79 one way couldn't compete with the $110 US Air wanted or the $154 SWA had.

AT actually has more flights to Philly than SWA, so I can see a couple of those disappearing in the next year or so, but not in the immediate future.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I actually did just purchase AirTran tonight for our return leg in November, MCO to Philly. $79 one way couldn't compete with the $110 US Air wanted or the $154 SWA had.

AT actually has more flights to Philly than SWA, so I can see a couple of those disappearing in the next year or so, but not in the immediate future.

$79 with Airtan or $154 with free bags on SWA Kind of like "free dining".

 

[PSUGuy]

I've never hesitated to book flights on carriers in the middle of mergers or even coming out of recievership, I've got 2 RT fares to MCO next March. If AT makes economic sense right now, I'd book it.

Bill From PA

 

[RCMommy]

I appreciate everyone's replies. We have decided to give Air Tran a try and I will be booking our flights tonight. Knowing others wouldn't hesitate to book them (all things considered) does help!

Thanks!

 

[Goofy's Mom]

I have trip booked in April 2011 using AT and have followed the news with south west at this point I am not worried as I will be back before all this merger stuff takes place