An airline I happily recommend!

[MorningGlow]

Can't believe it--I'm stunned--I have just traveled on an airline that was always on time, the employees were courteous, the planes were clean, and they didn't arbitrarily change gates at the last minute as some kind of sick joke. And it was an airline based in MURKA! The winner is...





Airtran!

Series, went to Fla. and back with nary a hitch. They are on time every time or die trying. No food except pretzels, but they don't take food and drink away from you before they take off. (I had a cup of milk with a straw from Starbucks for MG Jr., and I offered it to a flight attendant as she cruised up the aisle preflight, but she said he could keep it.)

Airtran is okay in my book. :thumbsup:

[Haole Girl]

1. Airtran used to be called ValueJet

Same company.

Just in case you didn't know.

[MorningGlow]

2. Their prices were indeed decent

Hell, they can call themselves Hank for all I care, as long as they keep doing what they're doing.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

3. I flew them solo as a teen two weeks ago.

Just down to Baltimore and back--a quick trip. But they were EARLY both legs.

:wow:

:hi:

[regnaD kciN]

4. Better known by its prevous name...

...ValuJet. :scared:



http://web.archive.org/web/20070403210742/

ValuJet is one of a new breed of low-price airlines that seek to take advantage of a large pool of pilots and flight attendants who found themselves out of jobs after layoffs at large airlines. It is so no-frills that ValuJet president Jordan uses a $100 desk he bought at Home Depot. The strategy has proved a success for ValuJet. In 1993 the airline flew to Orlando and Tampa in Florida from Atlanta; today it serves 31 cities in 19 states. It reported that in April it had flown 50% more "revenue passenger miles" than it had in April 1995. But last month it also announced it had reached a voluntary decision to slow the expansion of its fleet.

The airline has experienced a long sequence of nonfatal mishaps. In January 1994 a ValuJet DC-9 skidded off an icy runway in Washington, forcing the closure of the airport. Last June the crew of a ValuJet DC-9 taxiing in preparation for takeoff from Atlanta heard a loud bang as an engine failed, scattering shrapnel that injured seven passengers and causing a fire that spread to the fuselage. Within 90 seconds smoke had engulfed the passenger compartment. The crew's prompt evacuation of the passengers drew praise from a controller who watched the scene through binoculars--but also caused the FAA to order close inspections of engines ValuJet had purchased from a Turkish airline.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,984555,00.html

Valujet chairman Lewis Jordan testified for more than 90 minutes, answering concerns of the Federal Aviation Administration that ValuJet pilots' paychecks depended on completion of flights. The practice raised fears that pilots might make decisions that would compromise safety.

http://www.cnn.com/US/9611/19/valujet.final

[MorningGlow]

7. I remember that

Perhaps they've changed some of their rules and that tragedy is the motivation for their being fastidious these days. I sure hope so. :(

[Tommy_Carcetti]

9. Airtran actually bought out ValueJet

And all the old ValueJet planes have long since been replaced by brand new planes.

I wouldn't really let that detract someone from considering Airtran.

[fizzgig]

5. i flew airtran once and was less than impressed

one teeny bag of pretzels from denver to atlanta and one more from atlanta to moline, illinois

crummy drink service

cramped seating

and i've flown a half dozen airlines in the past few years and never had anyone take my drinks or food

i'm glad your experience was better than mine

[Ellen Forradalom]

6. Air Tahiti Nui is the way to go LA-Paris

Cheaper than Air France, nice flight, not too crowded, and you get a nice little flower when you board at CDG. Food's nothing to write home about, though.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

8. I love Airtran!

They offer good prices between Fort Lauderdale (my nearest airport) and Baltimore (the closest airport to my parents).

I've always liked them since I started flying them, but they've gotten progressively better and better in terms of being on time and offering more non-stops.

Apparently they are the best in terms of luggage handling.

Southwest is okay in terms of prices, but I hate the seating arrangements and I don't like that non-stop flights aren't always non-stop with SWA. (I.e. your plane will land to let passengers on and off at airports between you and your destination.)

I bought a flight Christmas day (coming back from spending Christmas Eve with my parents to spend Christmas Day with my wife and her family) for $180, which as holiday prices go is okay.

I've also got the Airtran credit card which gives me points towards the free flights, which I use at least once a year. I might upgrade to first class using my points too.

I would definetly recommend Airtran. They've always done a good job in my book.

[cuke]

10. I've done pretty well with JetBlue

Flying down to Florida. The only time they've been late was on a night flight and it was the airports fault, not JetBlue. If you hate delays, your best bet is morning flights

[CatholicEdHead]

11. Try Sun Country, even better