Air Tran Airways- ever flown on that airline?

[Beaverhausen]

I'm trying to go from LA to Philly in a month and the prices on the usual airlines I use are so high.

I found a flight for a good price that of course goes through Atlanta on this airline but I'm wondering about it.

anyone have any experience with them?

[LeftyMom]

1. I have- it was fine.

I also got stuck changing planes in Atlanta, which ranks pretty high on the list of airports I'd rather avoid. But it was a good deal, all of my flights were pleasant, and I didn't have any problems at all.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

2. Formerly ValuJet.

Michael Moore used to have a sign off line, "Thank you for flying ValuJet".

That was the name of AirTran when they had a catastrophic crash in the Florida Everglades with no survivors.

[Blue_Tires]

20. I remember that...I was flying them at the time as well...

That disaster was a true wake-up call for many carriers, and the FAA -- There were a lot of institutional gaps which led up to the tragedy...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My husband and I did, I think.

I had some notes around here, and of course I can't find them. But I believe that was the airline.

We will NEVER fly with them again.

The major problem was No Meals. Just snacks. And this was at dinnertime.

I was livid as well as starving. There had been no advance warning.

Sorry to burst your bubble...

[LeftyMom]

5. Most domestic carriers only offer snacks.

Sometimes there's a meal if you're on a cross-country nonstop flight or if you're flying internationally, but that's about it anymore. Details by airline here: http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=571&category=1 AirTran doesn't realy stand out. I had an ATA flight once where they charged $4 for a very small bottle of water and only took credit cards. THAT was worth complaining about.

[Skittles]

22. do you not fly very often, Peggy?

I do and I cannot remember the last time I had a MEAL on a plane

[Angleae]

4. They're now owned by Southwest Airlines.

SWA bought them a few months ago, not sure of how far into the conversion they are.

[Initech]

6. I got two free round-trips on them after getting bumped from a flight back from Detroit.

So yeah of course I'm gonna recommend 'em!

[pitohui]

7. in an emergency delta bought me a ticket on that airline once

i've only been to two of their hubs, both rather grim & depressing, and the airline in question is poorly regarded, for a time they experimented with charging people to drink soda and water but they had just ended the experiment when i was placed on their aircraft...it was just a regular flight, nothing special about it really...they have a poor reputation because of the valujet/$2 water thing but those days are done...they may get a poor rep again now that they've been purchased by southwest but i say if the price is right you might as well give 'em a try, i won't fly em again but that's because they don't give good prices starting where i start, southwest flights are also too pricey originating in new orleans which makes no sense since they don't have a first class or any kind of decent benefits and it looks like they're going to eventually be in line w. southwest policies (in other words, a rip off for me)

[MorningGlow]

8. They're good these days

No problems with them at all.

[Richardo]

9. I like them

[davsand]

10. "Packed in like Sardines" is my memory of my single ATA flight.

They are cheap for a reason.

Just sayin'...



Laura

[CreekDog]

12. ATA is not Air Tran --and I think ATA is defunct

Air Tran is the reincarnation of Value Jet and was recently bought by Southwest.

[Macoy]

18. Life is a Trade-Off

I have flown Air Tran several times. Ever taken a greyhound bus? That in a nut shell is what my experience with Air Tran was like.

Like a lot of life, air travel is a trade off. While I love my comfort as much as the next guy, I also love having extra money to spend on the things I like. As a result, I decided that saving a hundred or more dollars was worth using the airborne bus.

You mileage may vary.

Macoy

[CreekDog]

11. i liked the wifi when i flew back in '09 --and it was a rare offering back then

but it helped kill time on the plane.

they also flew to Atlantic City which made it easier to get to Cape May where I was visiting.

i kind of disliked the hulking, old, Boing 717's they flew short hops to Atlanta with, but they were basically okay and i think it was 737's for my cross country flight.

honestly speaking, airlines are not all that different these days, for the most part. service is lacking or charged for everywhere.

all things being equal (price), consider the following:

in flight entertainment --helps distract you from discomfort and boredom: personal screens, in flight wifi for example.

Virgin America and Jet Blue apparently offer you about the same level of service and features and get good raves from their passengers. if price is competitive i look at these first. VA has in flight wifi and lots of games/music/tv at every seat. Jet Blue has that minus the wifi I think.

United seems woefully behind in entertainment, but many flights have economy plus seats for $39 which cross country is totally worth it, giving you more leg room.

Southwest is good if you want to be able to pick your seat, kind of lacking otherwise, especially in terms of wifi and in flight entertainment (nonexistant mostly). and they are not necessarily cheap but they have a promotion of $120 cross country fares later this summer.

Delta has in flight entertainment in pretty much every seat of long haul flights (cross country), which is kind of cool.

[TZ]

13. I generally hate Delta but...

that in flight entertainment is something I would appreciate on the long flight to Arizona. US Airways offered NOTHING in that area. Geeze was that a long flight.:boring:

[CreekDog]

15. my flight from JFK to SFO last December was 6 1/2 hours! Nonstop!

i could've flown to London more quickly!

:wtf:

anyway, Virgin America, in addition to leather seats, has incredible personal entertainment and thanks to Google, the wifi was free. so i picked a couple of mind-numbing facebook games to play and got lost in that --as the time flew by until about 4 hours later, i fell asleep.

was great.

oh and the airfare? $244 roundtrip. :applause:

[TZ]

16. I'll have to see if I can find a flight with them next year.

I don't think they do a lot of business from DC to other US cities, I think mostly overseas here.

[CreekDog]

17. you're thinking of Virgin Atlantic

their domestic carrier, based in Burlingame (SFO) is for US Markets, mostly the big airports, like SFO, SEA, JFK, ORD, LAS, etc.

Delta might be your best bet.

[givemebackmycountry]

14. It's been a few years, but I loved them.

I used to fly them between KC and Tampa.
Each time they offered me a upgrade to first class for fifty bucks.
I sat down, and I had a Bloody Mary in my hand 45 seconds later.
When I flew back, I asked about the upgrade and was gushing about how cool it was and the ticket attendant upgraded me for free.
This time, Jack and Coke.

Best flights ever.

[Blue_Tires]

19. I fly them regularly to ATL

no complaints and no real difference from other carriers, but my flights are almost always packed solid (MD-80 series)

[av8rdave]

21. The are the former ValuJet

But are a much better run outfit now. I commute on them often.