What would you do? SW vs Air Tran About This Page:

[nmeeboer]

We have always flown SW and never had any issues. The flight times I need in August are not ideal- 6:10 am to Orlando and 7:45 am departing. Air Tran is the same cost even after baggage and seat assignment but the flights times are a little later in the day.

I'm afraid of Air Tran. Everything I've read is that they are consistently late or changing schedules (never happened to us on SW after 7+ years). And I guess I'm used to the SW process (smalls kids so we board after the A's) and unsure about the Air Tran process.

What would you choose? I appreciate any feedback, I'm driving myself crazy deciding.

[Carousel96]

if the times are better, I'd fly with AirTran.
DH has never had any trouble with them. And I believe they do assigned seating, so boarding isn't even an issue. Your seat is waiting for you whenever you get on.
I actually avoid SW because I don't like their boarding system. I'd rather have an assigned spot.

[JoanneS]

I'm a SWA flyer. I've never had any problems with them, so they have my loyalty. But didn't SWA aquire Air Tran just recently? Maybe Air Tran will be better now if that's the case.

[Teresa]

We've never had any problems with Trans Air. If the cost is the same, the times are better, I'd go with TA. The added bonus is assigned seating!! No need to worry about all that stuff you have to worry with SWA.

[Mares75]

I'm one of those people who had AirTran change their flight times - one even changed from a non-stop to a flight with a layover. I ended up canceling the return trip all together and booking with someone else. Their customer service was great about changing flights and canceling the one, but it was a major pain. They say they'll notify you by e-mail if your flight changes but ours changed 3 times and I never got any e-mail. I just had to watch the flights constantly and call if there was a change. Personally I won't use AirTran again simply because it was such a hassle.

[HiddenMickey]

I also have not flown Air Tran, and would likely be pondering this as well. SWA did acquire AirTran, but I don't know how that is affecting anything at this point.

I think I'd probably go with SWA, just because I'm comfortable with their process having used them for almost all my trips that we've flown to WDW, especially if the price is the same. I don't mind the early flights so much...make the day following longer.

[tessatilli]

always fly with Airtran and yes they have changed our flight times before but I did get emails and they bent over backwards to accomadate us! Even to the point of paying for all our luggage and seats on our last trip and the time was only moved by 30 minutes. 30 minutes that would have messed up dining ressies. We ended up changing and adding a day to our vacation with better times and they did all the work, and voided all charges!!!!!!! I just had to add day onto hotel! Now I have flown with US Airways and will NEVER EVER use them again. I had a HORRIBLE experience with them and they have some of the rudest CSR's ever. So I guess it is a matter of what you feel comfortable doing. Airtran also allows parents and children to board first if the child or children is under a certian age I believe. Well every parent that has been in airport with a child has always boarded first when I have been there.

[JKnott17]

Originally Posted by JoanneS

I'm a SWA flyer. I've never had any problems with them, so they have my loyalty. But didn't SWA aquire Air Tran just recently? Maybe Air Tran will be better now if that's the case.

Yes, Air Tran was aquired by SW, I read something online about that recently

[dolphin041599]

Personally, I like SW. I've never flown Air Tran, but I love SW's customer service. They are always super nice and often let me board with the family boarding even though my DD is 12. In fact the last time the guy was teasing me about it because we were standing in the regular boarding line.

[Lemonie]

We flew with Air Tran in Sept. 2011 and had no problems at all. On time, no flight changes, we were even a little early to land. This is my one & only experience with them, but it was good. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Dave Marx]

Southwest is gradually transitioning much or all of AirTran to the Southwest brand and operating procedures. My understanding is that they may maintain the AirTran brand on international routes.

[sk8mom6]

Have flown both AirTran and Southwest. No problems with either. Yes, airtran did change our time--but only by about 40 minutes. we were notified byE mail. My flight with Southwest also was changed by about 20 minutes with no notice. Customer Service was fine with both of them. Right now, they are our preferred airlines because theyhave the only nonstop flights from PIT to MCO.

[jjjmranch]

Air Tran makes you pay $6 per person to get assigned seating. They also charge for baggage, which SW does not. Add that to your total flight cost and see which is better for you.

[disney_duke]

If the times are that important to you, then go with AirTran. You mentioned that the cost is the same, even after adding on the baggage and seat fees? Win-win.

Yes, sometimes AirTran has changed their schedules in the past. But I've noticed that since SW has purchased them, my schudules have not changed once. If you're still concerned about changes and not being notified, then make it a priority to check your reservation every day to make sure. I'm sure every few days would suffice though.

Personally, I prefer SW too, simply for the free luggage. But their schedules stink sometimes! So then we go with AirTran. We've never had any issues with them!

[bsblady01]

we like to fly with southwest because you can pick your own seats and our bags are free