WTH, Airtran??

[NYEmomma]

I've been waiting and waiting for Airtran to release their October flights. We're going Cleveland to MCO October 9-14.

I can get Continental tickets for $299 round-trip.

Airtran flies out of an airport that's about 30 minutes closer to us, and far less busy. Direct flights to boot!

Their early September flights for the same days of the week have all been $112 each way. So I've been anxiously waiting for October to come out so I can book our seats. Now they've released flights all the way to the end of September and the prices for later in the month jumped from $112 one-way to $395 one-way.

That's CRAZY!! What gives? I'm really bummed... and hoping I'll get lucky and October prices will be back down. I was looking forward to being able to leave earlier from an airport much closer to me.

 

[dioxide45]

We bought mid November 2010 flights (before Thanksgiving) on March 1, 2010. So expect fares to be release soon. They will likely release all dates through just before Thanksgiving, then it will probably be a couple more months before post Thanksgiving flights are opened up.

 

[maciec]

Give it some time. Right now they aren't running any specials.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I've been watching AT like a hawk for Oct/Nov to be released. What I've observed is that they don't just instantly put out low fares. First they list all the flights of the day but with no prices at all and no way to click on any of them. The next day or so they put in outrageous prices, 2-3x what you're used to paying. About a week after that, they release the prices you're used to. Just keep checking and you'll see them drop.

Better yet, check various dates before yours and see when is the 1st date that prices are high then keep checking that date. You will see a trend/pattern.

 

[DebbieB]

Many airlines put out high prices when the dates first come out, hoping that impatient people will pay it. Just wait it out, they will go down (except for holidays).

 

[stephgles]

I just emailed Airtran as well as posted on their Facebook page as to when they will be releasing their October dates. DH just told me that if it is a late flight the night before we are suppose to go book it and we will get their a day earlier. That is all I need to hear. LOL.

 

[NYEmomma]

I've been watching AT like a hawk for Oct/Nov to be released. What I've observed is that they don't just instantly put out low fares. First they list all the flights of the day but with no prices at all and no way to click on any of them. The next day or so they put in outrageous prices, 2-3x what you're used to paying. About a week after that, they release the prices you're used to. Just keep checking and you'll see them drop.

Better yet, check various dates before yours and see when is the 1st date that prices are high then keep checking that date. You will see a trend/pattern.

Intriguing. Thanks for the info! I'll hold out for a bit then instead of jumping right over to Continental once I see that Airtran's rates are published and are too high (for the time being).

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Intriguing. Thanks for the info! I'll hold out for a bit then instead of jumping right over to Continental once I see that Airtran's rates are published and are too high (for the time being).

It's been that way at least since Nov 2008. That's when I 1st noticed it. I don't usually fly AT but they're a participating airline with DCL so they are good for post cruise flight home. I only wish they had more non stops to Philly.

 

[stephgles]

Received an email back from airtran advising: **Our flight schedules are published six to nine months in advance.**Currently,*most flight schedules are available through*August 24, 2011.* We are expecting to*have*our schedule updated through the*month of October 2011 on or around March 16, 2011.

 

[NYEmomma]

Just checked the same flight dates again this morning as I did over the weekend... and they're all back down to $112!

Thanks for telling me not to spazz quite yet, lol. Now I just have to wait out the October release dates.