Airtran flights subject to government approval
 

I was hoping for some feedback about any past experience anyone has had with booking travel on Airtran routes where the tickets are being sold with the "subject to government approval" caveat. The particular routes I am considering are service to Cancun, MX, which I believe is a new (or at least seasonal) route for Airtran.

I have communicated with Airtran representatives who cannot give me a concrete idea when they will get approval, and they have told me that the only thing they will do in the event that the flights are not approved is to refund money and/or frequent flyer credits/vouchers people used as payment. My situation is complicated by the fact that I was planning to use vouchers that expire soon, so I am worried that if the situation with the approval drags on but the route ultimately is not approved, that it will be too late to find somewhere else to travel using my vouchers. Airtran also has told me that they would not extend the time to use my vouchers. So, I am leaning against booking this travel, because it seems kind of risky.

But, on the other hand, I wondered if I am being too paranoid.

1) Is this situation (selling tickets before routes are approved) common?

2) Is there much of a chance that the route will not be approved?

3) How long before service is supposed to begin are routes generally approved?

Thanks for any information you can provide!

1. Yes.
2. No.
3. Depends on route. US-China routes are awarded years in advance.

I won't worry about it.

Thanks, rkkwan.

Would it change your opinion at all if I mentioned that the service is supposed to start in about a month, and the flights still show the "subject to government approval" restriction?

Also, I guess this concerns me more than it would with another airline because Airtran is primarily a US domestic carrier (I think this is their only international flight).

I still won't worry about it.

Delta is my preferred carrier, and I very often see a similar notation as Delta rolls out international flights -- I wouldn't be concerned.

I actually will be a bit more concerned about DL.

They announced a new JFK-GOT service with all the regular press releases, etc a couple months ago, and cancelled it quietly within 2 weeks.


And the announcement was made AFTER the financial crisis hit. Not before.

I also can't figure out what African routes they're actually flying or going to fly and how frequently. So many many changes. Their NW unit is also delaying DTW-PVG for at least a month. Etc...

I would actually think twice about using Airtran at all. After reading this article I doubt I would ever rely on them:

http://www.time.com/time/travel/arti...880196,00.html

I can understand that things like this happen, but the measly compensation this family was offered is just unacceptable considering how much they lost.