Air Tran

[Papins]

Has anyone ever flown Air Tran? I just looked at a RT flight from BWI to NOLA and with taxes fees etc, it was @ $130 a ticket....c'mon...what's the catch?

[Delta]

Is that the one that gives everyone a crash helmet and rosary as they board?

[jerseygirl67]

Is that the one that gives everyone a crash helmet and rosary as they board?

ROFLMAO.....

[denideadhead]

Haha ....no crash helmet but no frills ...flown airtran to fest the last three years and a few times to fla....have had no problems YET I booked my flight from Westchester to NOLA $214 RT

[jonnygospeltent]

Just make sure you have at least an hour between flights in Atlanta or else you could be late and miss your connection,

[mightyradgumbo]

I have used Airtran on many occasions...yeah no frills is being kind but it gets you from point a to b without crashing-and isn't really that the goal ;)

[festivalgirl]

Has anyone ever flown Air Tran? I just looked at a RT flight from BWI to NOLA and with taxes fees etc, it was @ $130 a ticket....c'mon...what's the catch?

are they still in business?

[windowman]

I have used Airtran on many occasions...yeah no frills is being kind but it gets you from point a to b without crashing-and isn't really that the goal ;)


FYI, Air Tran is the same airline formerly known as Valujet that had a plane involved in an horrific crash in the Florida Everglades in 1996.

[mwgirlonherown]

I have used Airtran on many occasions...yeah no frills is being kind but it gets you from point a to b without crashing-and isn't really that the goal ;)

What airline still has frills!?

[mwgirlonherown]

Is that the one that gives everyone a crash helmet and rosary as they board?

No that would be entering the Wrigley Field bleacher ramp

[swag]

After avoiding them for a long time following the crash, I finally flew them last year and I was pretty impressed with the onboard experience. Clean, new, well-lit planes.

My only caution would be the same for any airline where you have to change planes - avoid tight connections, especially if the segment into New Orleans is the last flight of the day, and booking this far out, be prepared for schedule changes between now and Fest.

[Frosty]

I've flown Air Tran twice to New Olreans. Never had a problem. You do have to transfer through Atlanta so it's a longer total flight time than Southwest but if the inexpensive Southwest fares are sold out, Air Tran is the only other decent option from Chicago.

[Orleansnj]

Is that the one that gives everyone a crash helmet and rosary as they board?

I'm sorry - I fell off the couch when I read that. That is the best one-liner about a no-frills airline I've ever heard.

[chicagomike]

I flew AirTran from Sarasota to Midway. Nice non-stop flight. I usually fly American due to all the places they serve but they really are something else with the checked bag fees. I dont equate no frills with safety. Southwest has only had one incident that resulted in a fatality. United, Delta and American have all had some pretty horrific crashes. I decided to book 4 tickets on Air Tran next month non-stop to Sarasota. Fares are good. Its the damn fees that add up.

[festivalgirl]

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[Papins]

. I decided to book 4 tickets on Air Tran next month non-stop to Sarasota. Fares are good. Its the damn fees that add up.

What are some of the hidden fees, and how more did they add to the ticket price?

[chicagomike]

Papins, I looked it over and it isnt all that bad. They arent hidden per se, but they add up. The fare was 792 and and fees were 84 bucks. I was mad because the flight home jumped 38 bucks in a matter of minutes. Thats 152 total. But all in all still a very good price.

[chicagomike]

Air Fare 792.00
Federal Segment Tax 28.00
Airport Passenger Facility Charge 36.00
September 11th Security Fee 20.00
Ticket Total 876.00

[jtd7]

I have flown AirTran twice, as my father used to say -- the first time, and the last time. Philly to NOLA in Nov 2000 for a conference, with changes in Atlanta. On every leg of the trip, the airplane restrooms were filthy. They announced we would miss our connection in Atlanta on the return trip, but then boarded the plane unexpectiedly -- I'd have made the connection except an AirTran employee directed me to the wrong gate, the one for the later flight. (My checked luggage made the connection!) Then I had a four hour layover during the dinner hour, and they refused to issue a dinner voucher. AirTran employees in Atlanta turned their backs on me when I approached to ask a question. Have I helped you to lower your expectations?

[Papins]

Papins, I looked it over and it isnt all that bad. They arent hidden per se, but they add up. The fare was 792 and and fees were 84 bucks. I was mad because the flight home jumped 38 bucks in a matter of minutes. Thats 152 total. But all in all still a very good price.

Thanks very much. With the added fees, it looks like it comes within a few dollars cheaper than what Continental is right now. The difference in mileage from HIA to BWI though, isn't worth the drive; IMO.

[larrybalmer]

I took that flight from BWI with Air tran to fest and it worked out fine. Beware though, the flight times were altered 4 years in a row from what i bought. an hour or 2 difference.

[DenverDestinDarlin']

Papins, what did they charge you for your bags? To be paid at airport checkin. Any charge for advance seat assignment?
I went Denver to NOLA on SW for 199 total, no fee for my 2 checked bags.
We got drinks AND pretzels. Oooohhhh.... Looking at yahoo fianance, Air Tran is trying to get some revenue up so they dont go under. Nothing like a fire sale! Whatcha doin here? How long?

[Papins]

Papins, what did they charge you for your bags? To be paid at airport checkin. Any charge for advance seat assignment?
I went Denver to NOLA on SW for 199 total, no fee for my 2 checked bags.
We got drinks AND pretzels. Oooohhhh.... Looking at yahoo fianance, Air Tran is trying to get some revenue up so they dont go under. Nothing like a fire sale! Whatcha doin here? How long?
For Continental? I think the fee is $25 per after the first bag-though I've never flown Continental. Delta was a friggin nightmare and even with the $100 voucher we got as an "apology" for the bump in Atlanta, I still wouldn't fly Delta. We fly what's the cheapest and right now out of HIA, it's Continental.

[swag]

Courtesy of smartertravel.com, here's a pdf-file chart of fees (http://i.slimg.com/sc/sl/graphic/u/ul/ultimate-guide-to-airline-fees.pdf)for domestic airlines, including 1st & 2nd bag fees, booking fees, seat selection fees, and more (as of 10/02/08).

There are still a few carriers with first-bag-free; for 2nd-bag-free, Southwest stands alone.

Bag fees for international flights may vary, so if you're coming from overseas, make sure to double-check.

[NeenAtlanta]

Since Atlanta is Air-Tran's hub, I fly them often. I love them, because they force Delta to keep their prices down in order to compete out of Atlanta airport.

They recently purchased a bunch of new planes, and everything is clean and shiny (and plastic - wierd). Only problem with the planes is ceiling height over the seats. If you are a tall person, I highly recommend getting the aisle seat on the 3-seat side of the plane. Otherwise, you'll get a crick in your neck.

I have no problems with them at all. They've never cancelled or moved a flight time significantly on me.

Plus my favorite part is that when you check in, ask if they have any openings in first class. If they do, you can upgrade on the spot for like $35. I've been able to do that on every flight with them except one.

[DenverDestinDarlin']

As the SWest commercial says, Hallelujah!
You were in town Swag? Wish I would've known. Would've liked to have met you. Tangie never tells me anything. Feel probably cause I'm not as much a partier like she. But I'm here through NOV so if down again, let me know. I've got time to kill between appts at Tulane.

Courtesy of smartertravel.com, here's a pdf-file chart of fees (http://i.slimg.com/sc/sl/graphic/u/ul/ultimate-guide-to-airline-fees.pdf)for domestic airlines, including 1st & 2nd bag fees, booking fees, seat selection fees, and more (as of 10/02/08).

There are still a few carriers with first-bag-free; for 2nd-bag-free, Southwest stands alone.

Bag fees for international flights may vary, so if you're coming from overseas, make sure to double-check.

[swag]

As the SWest commercial says, Hallelujah!
You were in town Swag? Wish I would've known. Would've liked to have met you. Tangie never tells me anything. Feel probably cause I'm not as much a partier like she. But I'm here through NOV so if down again, let me know. I've got time to kill between appts at Tulane.

My AirTran flight was last year Festgiving, when I had to fly right from NOLA to Atlanta. I was back down last weekend for the Seafood & Congo fests, flew SW. Next trip down is next month (on AA), again for Festgiving weekend.

[Orleansnj]

Swag - seriously - it's time for you to just make the move to New Orleans.... ;) :D

[swag]

I know...

[Orleansnj]

I know...

I'll even volunteer to come down and organize your move, help you pack (that's a bigger job than you think) and walk Chelsea while you stress over packing up..... lol.

[Orleansnj]

Mr. Onj asked me to add that he will come along too and make sure that we don't screw it up.....(meaning - decide that packing can wait and go and get some beer and listen to some music- meet Heather and some other threadheads out and then not get the job done).

He's also good at moving the heavy stuff.....

(not to mention that he's just in support of the entire threadhead nation moving to new orleans and will do anything to advance that effort).

[mamaroux]

Took AirTran to Tampa from Phila a few years back. No problems, it was fine.

[mamaroux]

Since Atlanta is Air-Tran's hub, I fly them often. I love them, because they force Delta to keep their prices down in order to compete out of Atlanta airport.

They recently purchased a bunch of new planes, and everything is clean and shiny (and plastic - wierd). Only problem with the planes is ceiling height over the seats. If you are a tall person, I highly recommend getting the aisle seat on the 3-seat side of the plane. Otherwise, you'll get a crick in your neck.

I have no problems with them at all. They've never cancelled or moved a flight time significantly on me.

Plus my favorite part is that when you check in, ask if they have any openings in first class. If they do, you can upgrade on the spot for like $35. I've been able to do that on every flight with them except one.

oh I forgot about that upgrading... that was wonderful! The son in law did that for me and the two of them when we went to Disneyworld back in 06. I did it for myself on the way home, too (I left 4 days earlier than the kids) that was really nice... I had free kalauha for my coffee the entire flight! :)

[mamaroux]

I know...

We'll help too... ask Jenn, we wallpaper! :) There was a nice house across from Jenn and David, very very similar... it would give you LOTS of room and make partying easier... ahem... sounds good, eh?

[ibjamn]

There are 2 houses across the street from us for sale. Neither one flooded for the thing. They are on the high side of the street. (so to speak....) It's a buyer's market, I hear......