ANITIX87 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 3242 posts, RR: 14 Posted (3 years 7 months 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 3568 times:
Hi, all.
A few weeks ago I started a thread asking about AA's domestic and Caribbean product. Since then, my plans have changed significantly, and I may actually be going to Florida instead. The cheapest option, by far, is AirTran out of HPN (on a 737, I think), down to PBI. The next cheapest option is CO out of EWR, on a 753 and a 738 depending on the flight time. I have flown CO many times and love their service, but with the price difference, AirTran is looking quite good.
I'm not asking if AirTran is safe, because I know they are, and I know they have nothing to do with the ValuJet of old, so let's keep that discussion out of this, please? I'm just curious how their service and product compare to other airlines in terms of:
Seat comfort and pitch
IFE, PTV, Wi-Fi, etc
On time performance
On-board service (food and drink, whether it's BOB or not, etc (do they have ginger ale??))
And any other information anyone can give me.
Thanks!
TIS
www.stellaryear.com: Canon EOS 50D, Canon EOS 5DMkII, Sigma 50mm 1.4, Canon 24-70 2.8L II, Canon 100mm 2.8L, Canon 100-4
PI4EVER From United States of America, joined May 2009, 599 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (3 years 7 months 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 3561 times:
Antonis:
I have found service on AirTran to be good in any comparison to other US legacy or low-cost carriers. Employees are generally friendly and personable, snacks and alcohol to purchase but usual beverage service complimentary. Upgrades available to their business class cabin - avoid row 1 for limited legroom to bulkhead - with complimentary snacks and alcohol and comfortable seating in rows 2 and 3. Exit row seating worth the extra per flight segment fee - about $15-20 - and on-time performance better than average. Seat pitch is otherwise considered a bit "tight" but within usual US legacy and low-cost comparisons.
Anyone can be swayed by loyalty to a particular airline frequent flyer program, but I find FL to be a pleasant flight experience, with very competitive fares if you're interested in a new flight experience or simply considering value for product purchased.
Good Luck with your flights and I hope you enjoy your trip to Florida. Come on down!
Thomas
P.S. They serve Seagram's Ginger Ale.
Stratosphere From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 1622 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (3 years 7 months 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 3548 times:
I just about exclusively fly AirTran. Their prices are pretty decent and the cost to upgrade is minimal and I usually always upgrade. The only drawback for me is changing planes in ATL also the connect times they have are either VERY short or very long there does not seem to be any middle ground..Also the ambush from the salespeople trying to get you to sign up for an AirTran credit card can be annoying after repeated trips through ATL..Other than that they run a pretty decent operation.
ANITIX87 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 3242 posts, RR: 14 Reply 3, posted (3 years 7 months 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 3542 times:
Thanks for the input, guys! Looks like I'll likely be going to PBI (and the flight is on a 717, and non-stop, so no hassle through ATL).
TIS
www.stellaryear.com: Canon EOS 50D, Canon EOS 5DMkII, Sigma 50mm 1.4, Canon 24-70 2.8L II, Canon 100mm 2.8L, Canon 100-4
SW733 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 6105 posts, RR: 10 Reply 4, posted (3 years 7 months 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 3534 times:
I think AirTran has the best domestic service behind Southwest, no doubt. When flying to or through ATL, I will take them over DL any day, even at a higher price. They are just an enjoyable airline, comfortable planes, friendly crews. I enjoy giving them my money, and I cannot say that about more than a 5 airlines or so worldwide.
PHLBOS From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 7264 posts, RR: 24 Reply 5, posted (3 years 7 months 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 3493 times:
One thing nobody has yet mentioned is that FL does have XM radio on all its planes. One can either use their own headset or use the complementary ones (at least they use to be complementary) they hand out and reuse them on another flight.
The XM controls are on the armrests. Word of CAUTION: an accidental brush of the armrest (where the controls arehere the controls are) can unintentionally change the radio station or volume.
Since you're flight is on a 717, the Coach seats have 30" of pitch but the seatbacks give firm support but are not rock hard (like NW's DC-9/A319/A320 seats).
Who knows, maybe your flight will be on one of the NFL-themed planes (Falcons, Colts, Ravens).
Heads Up: in case you don't already know this, FL DOES charge for the first checked bag (unlike B6 and WN).
"TransEastern! You'll feel like you've never left the ground because we treat you like dirt!" SNL Parady ad circa 1981
Airstud From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 1876 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 3373 times:
Hey no one did really answer about the onboard WiFi. Months ago when I was looking at booking an airTran trip, the website kept touting the free (yes free) WiFi on all flights; but lately I've seen promos that say "When you buy one [credit; segment; hour; whatever the unit is] then you get an extra one...."
So it seems like maybe you do have to pay for the WiFi on the airTrain now?
(And, relax about the sales pitches for the airTran credit card. I got assaulted by sales pitches for the Delta credit card when I transited ATL on Northwelta in September.)
Srbmod From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 16896 posts, RR: 51 Reply 7, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 3369 times:
Quoting Airstud (Reply 6):
Hey no one did really answer about the onboard WiFi. Months ago when I was looking at booking an airTran trip, the website kept touting the free (yes free) WiFi on all flights; but lately I've seen promos that say "When you buy one [credit; segment; hour; whatever the unit is] then you get an extra one...."
So it seems like maybe you do have to pay for the WiFi on the airTrain now?
The free WiFi was a way to drive folks to try it out. AirTran wasn't the only airline doing this. Pretty much all of the airlines that use GoGo had a similar promotion early on. The promotion has turned into a BOGO deal, which is not bad, especially on a transcon.
Quoting Airstud (Reply 6): (And, relax about the sales pitches for the airTran credit card. I got assaulted by sales pitches for the Delta credit card when I transited ATL on Northwelta in September.)
I find the credit card folks annoying, regardless of what airline's card they're pitching. I would go more into this, but that's better suited for Non-Av.
That is a great amenity, especially on a longer flight, but I haven't flown FL in a few years (Let's just say that DL's transcon IFE and inflight upgrades got me to switch.). I wish more airlines would offer Sirius XM on their flights.
Isitsafenow From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 4984 posts, RR: 26 Reply 8, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 3365 times:
I compare airTran with the Republic Airlines of the early 80's...which I flew a lot until the merger with NW.......
airTran has nothing top shelf or extravagant....they just get you there pretty much when they say they will. Heck, that's all that matters, isn't it?
safe
If two people agree on EVERYTHING, then one isn't necessary.
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