AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 29 June 2009 : by A Morgan
| Trip Rating : 10/10 |
 |
On June 9, I was a passenger on a flight departing from Florida at 6:20 AM. I arrived to find
a long security line, and I was the last person on the plane. Much to my dismay, as I sat down
in my seat, I realized I had left my handbag in security. I was on my way to Chicago for a
business trip, and all my cash, insurance/credit cards, electronics, and portfolio were in
that bag. The flight attendant notified the pilot, who listened to my story, even though he
had already closed the door and was on a tight schedule to get underway. He told me he was
going to push off the gate, and that personnel would try to retrieve my bag. He and his crew
radioed to airport security, and shortly, someone brought my bag to the plane. They had to
pass it through the pilot's window since the door was not allowed to be open. I am so
appreciative of the pilot, crew, and airport staff. They certainly didn't have to go to such
great lengths in order to retrieve my bag, but they did, and this made all the difference in
my trip and experience. To AirTran, thank you for hiring and staffing such considerate flight
crews. Kindness is truly a great business standard, and I commend you for preserving this
quality.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 16 June 2009 : by Aubrey Andrews
| Trip Rating : 10/10 |
 |
This is the second time I have flown Airtran. I flew the first time last August from
Indianapolis to Las Vegas because we found our flights for $150 round trip, about $100 less
than any other airline. This time I flew from Indianapolis to Orlando and had a very pleasant
experience. The flight was $58 each way for a total of $130 after taxes. I use the online
check in that they provide within 24 hours of your flight. I did not have access to a printer
for either flight, but you can still check in and then when you get to the airport all you
have to do is go to the kiosk and print your boarding pass. There was no wait to get to the
kiosk so you just print and go to your gate. The flight out took off right on time and we
actually arrived in Orlando about 15 minutes early. On my returning flight, I had picked an
early departure of 7:35 and I missed it, I actually arrived at the airport at 7:35. So I went
to the counter and the attendant asked no questions and immediately put me on the next nonstop
flight back to Indianapolis that was leaving in only 2 hours, so I didn't have to wait at the
airport all day for a flight. I had my 7-year-old daughter with me on the way back and she
was able to put us together on the flight. This gave us time to do a little last minute
shopping at the airport and have some breakfast before we had to board the plane. Then I
noticed that we were in Zone 1 (first to board), and was surprised since we were a last minute
add-on to the flight. I also noticed that our seat numbers were 2D and 2F. At first I
thought that there would be someone sitting between us and I explained that to my daughter so
that she would be prepared for it. We were the first ones on the plane, and it turns out that
row 2 is business class. So we got huge plush seats, a neat little tray that folds out of the
armrest, plenty of elbow room, drinks free, and a little special treatment from the flight
attendants. No flight delays, no problems with carrying on our luggage, great prices and customer service.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 14 June 2009 : by C Cleaver
| Trip Rating : 6/10 |
 |
I have flown AirTran several times a year for the past several years, mostly between Atlanta
and Orlando, and I have come to expect departure delays. But this time, they left early! at
least according to the web site, which declared a flight delay and estimated departure time of
an hour after the original time. I almost missed the flight. The crew was pulled from the
cafeteria, a bit flustered, and the captain announced we'd be taking off shortly - he didn't
know if we were on time or not, because he just got "dragged onto the flight." I have to
admire Air Tran's initiative to accommodate the passengers who didn't check the web site or
arrange their rides based upon its pronouncements - but what good is a web site one cannot
rely upon?
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 20 May 2009 : by Bill Atkins
| Trip Rating : 7/10 |
 |
PHL-ATL. First time with them and fairly impressed. Website straightforward, online check-in
good. Delayed departure and no information given before flight. Staff friendly and quite an
enjoyable experience - certainly better than many legacy carriers in the U.S.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 24 April 2009 : by D Woodruff
| Trip Rating : 9/10 |
 |
ATL-SFO-ATL Business Class. Outbound, no wait in the Business Class line, quick check in, and
they've finally stopped charging for the second checked bag for Business Class passengers, so
no added fees. Quick clearance through the premium passenger security line and off to the
gate. Knowing that there's no food service (even in Business Class and even on a transcon
flight), I bought a sandwich to eat when it got to be lunchtime. Boarded a newer 737 quickly
and easily, no problem with space in the overheads and settled in. Seating on 737 in Business
Class is 2-2 and the seats have same width and pitch as in domestic first class on the
legacies. Was provided with a free headset for XM radio and offered a pre-flight drink. Good
selection of cocktails and soft drinks, plus some nice cocktails. On time departure and early
arrival - drinks replenished often and great selection of snacks offered from a basket. My
only issue on these flights was the location of the controls for the XM radio: in the armrest
just at elbow level. I kept changing the station accidentally by bumping the controls with my
elbow. On arrival at SF, luggage started coming out within 15 minutes and my luggage out a
few minutes later. Was on the BART train less than an hour after landing, which always
indicates to me that it was an efficient arrival. Return flight was an afternoon flight -
again no one in line at check in for Biz Class, quick walk through security and then purchased
a sandwich for dinnertime on the way. Again, quick and easy boarding on a newer 737, plenty
of overhead space and offered a pre-departure drink - this time got a cocktail: was handed a
glass of ice, a bottle of gin and can of tonic. Very nice to be able to mix my own and
actually have two weaker drinks before takeoff. Again, handed a headset for XM radio. After
take off, more drink service. Again, attentive service and the nice mix of complimentary
snacks. On time departure and on time arrival - about 40 minutes for luggage to start
arriving, but mine came out almost immediately (the clerk at SFO had put priority tags on the
luggage - that had not happened in ATL on the outbound) and I was in my car on the way home
about an hour after the plane landed - again, the sign, to me, of an efficient arrival. All
in all a very nice flight experience.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 23 February 2009 : by R Glazer
| Trip Rating : 0/10 |
 |
After all the asinine service fees for booking the flight, they offer you the chance to save
on a seat booking fee if you choose your seats online rather than have the service assistant
do it for you. Once you go to do this online, you will be hit with yet another fee, albeit
slightly less, for seat booking. Plan on about an extra $50-100 in ticketing fees before all
is said and done. We had many problems with the booking assistant - losing a voucher we had
from a previously canceled flight, misspelling of passenger names (just to confuse things for
us at the airport), and lying about the seat booking fee (she said we had to, and we didn't
know we could do it at the airport free).
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 17 February 2009 : by S Oliveri
| Trip Rating : 5/10 |
 |
MSY-ATL on an older B717 in Y. Cabin very dirty, armrests hanging off the hinges, and in my
row, only one seat had a functioning XM radio system. Seats not that comfortable, thankfully,
flight wasn't full. Trash in seat back pockets. Flight down to MSY was better, in C class,
full flight, several rounds of beverages and nice crew, although XM did not work on my seat on
that one, as well. I fly AirTran only when I have to - otherwise, it's DL for me.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 19 January 2009 : by N Ster
| Trip Rating : 8/10 |
 |
SFO to ATL and ATL to EWR. I was more than a little nervous since we were travelling with a
two-year old and quite a bit of luggage (it was part of an international itinerary).
But we need not have worried. The aircraft was roomy and the seats comfortable. The crew was
amazing - some of them very thoughtfully checking on the toddler and trying to keep her amused
(this is something you don't see even on full-frill airlines). SFO-ATL was absolutely amazing-
it was a long flight and they gave us enough to eat and drink as well as arriving almost an
hour early. When you consider that I paid only 120 dollars per seat (booked 4 months in
advance) it was worth every penny and more. The flight to Newark was delayed by 3 hours+
because of inclement weather - and because Delta and other airlines got preference, they kept
shunting our aircraft to the back of the queue, so eventually the pilot gave up and taxied
back to the boarding gate, where we got off and grabbed some dinner. Am a frequent enough
flyer to realise that these kind of things happen and luckily the child was pretty serene
through it all, so no harm done. I would travel AirTran again - they are much better than
United (domestic) at least, though haven't flown too many other airlines in the US.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 14 January 2009 : by S McConnell
| Trip Rating : 10/10 |
 |
DCA-MCO roundtrip, down on Christmas Day and return on New Years Day. Great flights, terrific
service. I haven't been disappointed on AirTran ever since my USAir flight was cancelled one
foggy morning - found Airtran still flying out that day and was very impressed by their
professionalism and customer care.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 13 January 2009 : by J Gruenloh
| Trip Rating : 7/10 |
 |
Excellent price and average service. TPA-ATL-MKE. Both flights on time. No video on planes,
but XM is free and headsets are provided free. Near no employee contact if booked/checkin
online. While I appreciate the efficiency, I cant help but feel like a UPC symbol. Barely
looking up to say hello and scanning my boarding paper printed online.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 15 November 2008 : by Matt Tallis
| Trip Rating : 9/10 |
 |
BOS to CLT via BWI last weekend and was impressed with the courteous service offered by all staff
members from check in agents to flight crew. Both flights an hour but was offered free soft drinks
and no chage to check my bag which is always welcome. On the flight to BWi, the B717 was showing
its age as the window panels were popping out of its socket. Both flights on-time and for the price
paid, definite value for money.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 15 November 2008 : by A Ben
| Trip Rating : n/a |
 |
Recently my traveling companion and I arrived late for a flight and were told we "may be separated"
from our baggage. When we arrived at our destination, our luggage was not there. We figured we had a
50/50 chance, but later found out we had agreed to a "voluntary separation" (no chance!)- -no one
ever used those words. We missed the wedding we were traveling for, but none of this is why I'm
angry. It's the lack of customer service and the fact that my luggage has been damaged (they must
have left it out in the rain.) We were never told any information that we should have been told
while in our destination city, in fact someone in Customer Service said it would be ok if I called
Customer Relations the next day (when I returned home.) They were of no help. I sent a certified
detailed letter to SVP Customer Relations and AirTran President and received a response from a low
level associate who seemingly did not read my letter and a $25 AirTran certificate. I understand
their lack of customer focus is typical, but it's still sad they run this company this way.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 12 November 2008 : by Jim Moore
|
Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
HOU-ATL return. The departure from Houston was a little behind but made up the time and landed on
time. The planes were clean and attendants were nice. Only complaint was the one hour wait for
luggage upon returning to Houston. Appears there was a communication error about the weight of some
of the items that Houston was not prepared for. All Airtran staff was polite.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 27 October 2008 : by N Roeters
|
Customer Rating : 4/5 |  |
Flew Seattle to Orlando ($266 return) and was pleasantly surprised. SEA-ATL was 30 minutes early and
on a newer 737. Smaller 717 on ATL-MCO flight not as spacious but certainly bearable for a one-hour
flight. Pilots informative but not overbearing as mentioned by another reviewer. Check-in agent
assigned exit row seats on both legs of return trip without any prompting from me. Very nice! Was
glad to see one of the very friendly FA's from the way down on the flight home to Seattle too. Would
definitely fly AirTran again.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 27 October 2008 : by Thorkild Lykke
|
Customer Rating : 4/5 |  |
Ft Lauderdale to Baltimore in business class. I was a bit hesitant to book this flight due the
reviews on this site but it was the only direct connection so I thought I would risk it. Suprise:
Everything was good. Checkin at 8 am was prompt and helpful staff. Boarding started 30 minutes
before departure and we left the gate before time and arrived ahead of time in BWI. Cabin attendants
were great and continued to ask if we wanted more drinks or snacks throughout the trip. The only
negative point was a slow baggage delivery in BWI. After 25 minutes after arrival they announced it
would be another 10 minutes as ground staff had to deal with connecting baggage first but then the
bags came only 2 minutes later. I would risk it again and flight AirTran again.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 3 October 2008 : by D Parkinen
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
TPA-SEA-TPA via ATL. I chose the upgrade in both directions at $149.00. Service on the short
flights from Tampa to Atlanta and back very good. Friendly flight attendants, non-stop cocktails,
and great service. However on both of the longer flights from Atlanta to Seattle, things sure do
change. Flight attendants not friendly, almost snapping at you if you ask for another drink. It
seems they do not like to do long haul and only short haul. Also, the bulkhead seat in business
class is very cramped - avoid these seats if you are over 6 feet tall like myself. I had to sit
sideways to fit. Overall, no frills is no service. I would not pay to fly business class on this
airline, however the gate upgrades are worth it.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 1 October 2008 : by Mark Ackery
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |  |
Dayton-Orlando-Dayton on AirTran. Their upgrade fee is great and a welcome change from the bigger
carriers. The flights were all on time and all cabin crew were courteous and very helpful to me. I
would fly AirTran again in a heartbeat.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 25 September 2008 : by Saketh Ram
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |  |
Absolutely terrible. Scheduled to travel IAH-LGA via ATL and MIA-IAH return. Due to Hurricane Ike in
Houston, getting to airport was very difficult and got to airport 30 min before departure. Air Tran
wouldnt let me check in and said I would "never" make it through security. Not one person in line
and would have easily made the flight but staff would not budge. No flight left for the rest of day
so I walked to Delta counter and bought a walk up ticket with cost a small fortune. Return flight
from Miami boarded 40 minutes for departure, arrived 30 min before the flight at gate and agent said
I was the last one on the plane! Best part is for on time departure in MIA, waited 30 min on ground
in ATL for a gate. Ground staff totally rude and flight attendants rude and surly. Worst customer
service I have seen in US,
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 13 August 2008 : by D Bailey
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |  |
Dulles to Orlando. Identical experience as Steve Gibbs below. Got to airport over 2 hours before
flight, and still didn't make the flight because AirTran couldn't get our baggage checked in less
than 2 hours. Unbelievable. Only line in the entire terminal was check-in at the AirTran counter,
so clearly most other airlines have figured out this component of air travel. Person just in front
of us was next in line when they closed the flight. He protested and pointed out that Air Tran
claims that you need to get to the airport an hour before your flight & that he had been in line for
over 2 hours. The AirTran lady behind the counter actually corrected him, saying, "No, you have to
be at THIS counter one hour before your flight." Remarkable. Guess it was lost on her that she
(and AirTran staffing) was the reason he couldn't get to the counter inside of 2 hours. Seems
AirTran isn't any better at recognizing comic irony than they are at checking in customers. As with
Mr. Gibbs, we were put on Standby for a flight many hours later. No thanks - instead got tickets on
TED, got checked in quickly/easily by them, and were on our way. No more AirTran for us.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 22 July 2008 : by Charles Smith
|
Customer Rating : 2/5 |  |
ATL to Niagra Falls, NY to ATL. The trip is about what I have become to expect from Air Tran, slow
service from agents that really don't care if you fly or not. I printed out my boarding pass on-
line, but it still takes a hour just to check one bag. The plane back from NY to ATL had to be left
over from the first purchase ever. It was old, dirty and torn up. The guy in the seat next to me saw
an allen head bolt work loose on the engine housing during the course of the flight and told the
flight attendant, who did not care. I guess air travel is just going to be miserable from here on
out.
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS review : 16 July 2008 : by Steve Gibbs
|
Customer Rating : 1/5 |  |
BWI-DAY. Truly appalling experience. A 1¾-hour wait to check in meant we - and many others - missed
the necessary 45-minute "luggage deadline" and thus the 10.25am flight was closed to us. We were
told we would be booked on the much later afternoon flight, only to be informed at the departure
gate several hours later we were actually assigned as standby passengers only. That flight was
oversold, as was the 9pm flight - leaving us with no chance of getting back. From morning until
early evening (when we eventually rented a car and drove 500 miles back) NO-one apologized, NO-one
from AirTran offered help or assistance. Despite being lied to, our arguments were glossed over or
met with glassy-eyed stares representing "why would we care?". The manager/supervisor actually
REFUSED to come down and talk to ANY of the passengers about the problems, and went as far as
ordering that staff should not give his/her name to any customer requesting it. At one point a gate
agent, frustrated with the flak he was getting, shouted out "I've had enough of this, I'm leaving,
someone call security" which seemed to somehow define the entire AirTran BWI set-up. I wouldn't
recommend AirTran to my worst enemy.
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