Flying AirTran? Thoughts?

[diddy_mouse]

Well I ended up going with jetBlue both directions.

Unfortunately the AirTran flights didn't fit the timetable I had and they also were a little more in price than jetBlue. But I had considered AirTran as a backup if the jetBlue flights sold out.

Thanks again for all the tips/reviews!

 

[isitingood]

Air tran gone!

Southwest just bought Air Tran and will most likely hike up prices to the cities both airlines fly into.

 

[DVCOwner]

Due to the fact that Air Tran and Southwest do not overlap much in the cities they provide service to; I do not see much of a chance to increase air fares. If they start increasing fares, the other airlines in that airport will take it as chance to increase thier share of the market

 

[disney4life2008]

My concern about the merger is that AirTran is in a lot of regional cities. For example, where I live, our regional airport houses AirTran as its major carrier. The next biggest airport is 3 hours away. I welcome Southwest as my new airline but AirTran offered $64 flights to Orlando nonstop on some days. I am worried that Southwest will see this as a chance to increase prices. I hope our prices remain low and I look forward to the free luggage

 

[isitingood]

Due to the fact that Air Tran and Southwest do not overlap much in the cities they provide service to; I do not see much of a chance to increase air fares. If they start increasing fares, the other airlines in that airport will take it as chance to increase thier share of the market

Don't overlap much? I know of 33 cities that they do overlap including small markets like Buffalo and Omaha which Southwest can now easily hike up the prices. Both airlines fly into secondary airports as well like Chicago Midway, Houston Hobby and N.Y. La Guardia. It might not hurt places like Las Vegas BC I can Fly Virgin,Alaska or Jet Blue.

 

[isitingood]

It looks like No bag fees which is great.. Change fees were $75 on Airtran that will be eliminated. Assigned seats will be phased out and no more business class and coach, it will be a one-class configuration.

 

[Tom]

Don't overlap much? I know of 33 cities that they do overlap including small markets like Buffalo and Omaha which Southwest can now easily hike up the prices. Both airlines fly into secondary airports as well like Chicago Midway, Houston Hobby and N.Y. La Guardia. It might not hurt places like Las Vegas BC I can Fly Virgin,Alaska or Jet Blue.

Indianapolis is one of the cities that currently has gates occupied by both Southwest and Airtran. Of the two, Airtran has lower fares to Orlando, but after bag fees they're more than SW. However, I'm paranoid when it comes to airlines overbooking (it's happened to me), and I like the comfort of sitting next to my spouse on flights, so I always pay the premium for Airtran so that I can choose my seats when I book, as opposed to going through the "cattle herding" scenario that Southwest offers.

Airtran also offers about 15 flights between Indy and MCO every day, with at least 3 being non-stop. Southwest has far fewer of each. I can only hope that they absorb some of Airtran;s flights through this acquisition and don't just phase them out.

Regardless, Delta is really the only other "competitive" airline that flies from Indy to MCO, and they're still not actually competitive. I have a fear that Southwest will be able to charge anything they want after the merger is 100% in 2012. It might actually be cheaper for us to drive to Florida by then.

It looks like No bag fees which is great.. Change fees were $75 on Airtran that will be eliminated. Assigned seats will be phased out and no more business class and coach, it will be a one-class configuration.

Right! And they're renaming it Socialist Air!

 

[disney4life2008]

My regional airport is Bloomington/Normal Illinois. I know that having Southwest Airlines here will be a boom for the airport because many college students from Illinois go to Chicago or Indy just to fly souIthwest.

I just hope that Southwest does not hike up the prices from Bloomington to Orlando. Right now, for example I can book a flight on AirTran for $79 one way. I welcome the free luggage.

AirTran excelled at their in flight experience and on time service. I hope it makes southwest better.

 

[Tom]

My regional airport is Bloomington/Normal Illinois. I know that having Southwest Airlines here will be a boom for the airport because many college students from Illinois go to Chicago or Indy just to fly souIthwest.

I just hope that Southwest does not hike up the prices from Bloomington to Orlando. Right now, for example I can book a flight on AirTran for $79 one way. I welcome the free luggage.

AirTran excelled at their in flight experience and on time service. I hope it makes southwest better.

Unfortunately, I predict this merger is all about Southwest eliminating their biggest competitor by buying them out and inheriting their gates. I don't think Southwest will learn from AirTran's management, who will probably be unemployed within a year

 

[yensid67]

Due to the fact that Air Tran and Southwest do not overlap much in the cities they provide service to; I do not see much of a chance to increase air fares. If they start increasing fares, the other airlines in that airport will take it as chance to increase thier share of the market

Just a thought on this...
I have been planning my airfare on Air Tran for December 2012, this is good news! Southwest can make a very good profit if they keep the current prices of Air Tran airfare, and do away with the seats and baggage fees!
Since Southwest bought out Air Tran, if they do increase airfare for Air Tran brand, maybe Southwest will get rid of the seat and baggage fees so its like southwest pricing!!??

Just my thoughts!:wave:
P.S. I just saw this online an decided to add it to my post...
There is one change passengers will surely welcome: Southwest said it won't
keep AirTran's bag fees when they fully combine in 2012.
Will
:wave: from PA!!

 

[disney4life2008]

Unfortunately, I predict this merger is all about Southwest eliminating their biggest competitor by buying them out and inheriting their gates. I don't think Southwest will learn from AirTran's management, who will probably be unemployed within a year

That is the sad part. AirTran has Atlanta Hartsfield on lock as well as the employment of many regional airport employees. I honestly do not see very much good coming out of the merger. I am quite scared.

 

[isitingood]

Indianapolis is one of the cities that currently has gates occupied by both Southwest and Airtran. Of the two, Airtran has lower fares to Orlando, but after bag fees they're more than SW. However, I'm paranoid when it comes to airlines overbooking (it's happened to me), and I like the comfort of sitting next to my spouse on flights, so I always pay the premium for Airtran so that I can choose my seats when I book, as opposed to going through the "cattle herding" scenario that Southwest offers.
Right! And they're renaming it Socialist Air!

Yeah I'm with you on being able to choose your seat. That is one big reason I don't fly Southwest.:wave:

 

[isitingood]

That is the sad part. AirTran has Atlanta Hartsfield on lock as well as the employment of many regional airport employees. I honestly do not see very much good coming out of the merger. I am quite scared.

I agree,this is not a very good merger. Airtran was the 2nd largest airline at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson.

 

[Tazer19]

We've never had a problem with them, but they've changed our January flight twice in the last month. This last time they moved our flight from Orlando 2h 15 earlier than originally planned and added in a new flight at our original departure time. I called them and had no luck switching to either of the two later flights. Anyone have this happen or have any tips for getting switched?

EDIT: nevermind, randomly tried back and got switched in a few seconds

 

[googilycub]

My regional airport is Bloomington/Normal Illinois. I know that having Southwest Airlines here will be a boom for the airport because many college students from Illinois go to Chicago or Indy just to fly souIthwest.

I just hope that Southwest does not hike up the prices from Bloomington to Orlando. Right now, for example I can book a flight on AirTran for $79 one way. I welcome the free luggage.

AirTran excelled at their in flight experience and on time service. I hope it makes southwest better.

I doubt Southwest will still be in BMI within a year of the merger being complete. Southwest, for the most part, stays out of cities the size of Bloomington. I would bet that cities like BMI in the Airtran network will not like this merger at all.:zipit:

 

[irmonkey]

We are flying AirTran in a couple weeks on a direct flight from Pittsburgh to Orlando. I forgot to add Magical Express when I went through Disney Reservations and when I called them to give them the airline and flight numbers, she said that it would be no problem. I'm hoping Disney would have said something but I guess at that point I had already purchased the nonrefundable plane tickets so oh well!

 

[eslocklier]

Great airline. I've never had a problem. Aren't they owned by Southwest now?

 

[Tom]

Great airline. I've never had a problem. Aren't they owned by Southwest now?

Not yet. And they're set to essentially "become" Southwest in the merger, meaning we'll lose all that is good about AirTran.