Another one: ATA (airlines) discontinues operations
 

I looked down the page and didn't see another reference to this, so apologies if a duplicate....

Heads up if you have flights booked with ATA, which announced this morning that it has discontinued all operations.
http://www.ata.com/

I went to check baggage restrictions on the website tonight and got quite a shock. Now I'll have to rearrange my flights for August. Any suggestions on airlines which might not go bankrupt before September???

I live in the Bay Area and one of the local news stations just had a story on this. Speckles, I've been checking airfares to Hawaii a couple of months out and I've been surprised at the lowish ($500) prices on United from the west coast.

I just called American Airlines and the agent said that they do NOT have an agreement worked out with ATA yet. She also stated that any agreement would likely not extend to August (which is when my son will be traveling on his honeymoon.)

this is so frustrating ... :(

Too bad. I really liked flying ATA to Maui.

To the ones that charged their tickets , contact the CC. They will reverse the charges.

If you paid cash then get in line at the bankrupcy court.



Reporting from LHR. Waiting for my flight to Dubai.

rkkwan's prediction:

Skybus is next. Or Sun Country.

I suggest sticking with the larger major airlines in the coming months.

Most of my DD's soccer team booked with ATA ($60 cheaper than Hawaiian) for a tournament in July but hopefully they all paid with credit cards so I'll alert them. Thank goodness I booked Hawaiian!

Sorry I was wrong.

Next to shut down scheduled service is North American Airlines, which flies from the US to Guyana, Ghana and Nigeria.

www.northamericanair.com/flynaa.aspx

Or maybe Alitalia. From Associated Press, 4 hours ago:

"ROME (AP) — Alitalia edged closer to bankruptcy protection on Thursday after Air France-KLM abruptly broke off talks to buy the struggling national airline and Alitalia's chairman of seven months resigned in frustration."

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g...Kz8hQD8VQEAOO0

Rkkwan, at least this airline gives some warning! I feel so sorry for everybody who's present and future vacations are screwed up!

I used to like ATA, and flew them to AZ often at one time.

But I saw the handwriting on the Wall at Midway and didn't book them for April. I'm sure glad I didn't. I'm using SW from Midway instead.

Southwest Airlines has had a code sharing arrangement with ATA on flights to Hawaii so booked passengers to the islands better check with Southwest to determine what new arrangements can be made.

Since SW does not fly to Hawaii and they don't interline with any other airline, anybody that bought tickets from Southwest on the Hawaii codeshare will be offered their money back by SW. Unfortunately that will only work if you bought the ticket from Southwest (the only way to buy codeshare ticket).

ATA is instructing its ticket holders to contact other airlines to rebook. Those airlines are not required to accept ATA tickets and passengers may be required to purchase one-way tickets to return home. A list of those airlines is provided below.

HVCB has established a dedicated webpage for ATA updates at:

http://www.gohawaii.com/ata

ATA is instructing its ticket holders to contact other airlines to rebook. Those airlines are not required to accept ATA tickets and passengers may be required to purchase one-way tickets to return home.

HVCB has established a dedicated webpage for ATA updates at:

http://www.gohawaii.com/ata

Northwest is offering standbys for ATA ticket holders for $100, and confirmed seat for $200.

Haven't heard anything from other airlines.

"rkkwan's prediction: Skybus is next."

Good call. They just went under. That makes 3 in a week.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23962964/

Ding Ding Ding! What do I win? A bunch of $10 tickets on Skybus, of course!!! :)

Oh wow, I feel awful! At my suggestion 10 folks here in my town booked airfare to Honolulu for their cruise in July on ATA through Southwest. So much for my career change to travel agent...

Deb