Anyone used Trans Air?
 

Trans Air has great rates from LAX to LGA.
Has anyone flown them? If so, how was it?

On the long haul flights they are great. The upside is they use New 757 jets, have firm but comfortable seats and they show movies. Downside is the legroom and no meals.

Just so everyone is on the same page, do we mean ATA (American Trans Air) or AirTran? Totally different airlines.

Undoubtedly,the poster is referring to AmericanTransAir.AirTrans does in fact list LAX as an origin/destination.However,it is actually a codeshare operated by RyanInternationalAirlines out of Wichita,Kansas.Flying AirTrans LAX to LGA would mean a connection via ATL...

I think you're right, BeachBoi, but since the original poster didn't mention a connection or nonstop I thought it wise to ask. You CAN buy an AirTran ticket from LAX to LGA, regardless of which carrier is actually operating the service.

Does ATA do this route nonstop?

ATA is America Trans Air. They are a CHARTER airline that masquerades as a regularly scheduled carrier. Some folks get lucky and have good experiences with them but mine was horrible - 13 hours to reach Denver from NYC and 14 hours coming back. I heard countless horror stories from other travelers who had come in from differing locations and even had a friedn recount his experience of gettign stuck in France for two extra days (at his own expense!) waiting for them to find a plane they could fly back in. As a charter airline, they're at the bottom of the pecking order for take-off and landing rights (= delays) and have few if any backup aircraft. Also.... if they have a major delay or cancellation they have no reciprocal arrangments like the schedule carriers do - they can't fly you howm on some other airline- you have to wait for them.

AirTran is an entirely different story - they are a very good scheduled discount carrier and I've had many good experiences flying with them. They just tarted service to LA and Las Vegas and I would definitely fly with them.

Dan....No....1-stop in Indianapolis....I still would rather fly LAX to JFK nonstop. or Newrak if need be......

I've never had any problems the 5 times I've flown ATA from DFW to Midway. If you were flying out of Denver you probably got caught in the "United First, and everyone else can F themselves." I think their situation is improving as they move more and more into scheduled rather than charter service.

Jet Blue from Long Beach to JFK is another option.

My parents did Airtran and loved it. You can also "upgrade" for $30 to first class. They said it was great!!

Have fun

This is just a reminder to all the people saying how good of an airline AirTran is.

Remember the ValuJet (now AirTran) crash into the Florida Everglades on May 11, 1996 killing all 110 on board? The crash was caused by the illegally loaded oxygen generators that created an intense fire in the cargo hold of the ill-fated DC-9.
Soon after the crash, ValuJet bought the also troubled discount airliner AirTran. The AirTran - ValuJet merger was an attempt to hide ValuJet's troubled past by using another airline's name in hopes of erasing the stigma associated with the very high profile ValuJet moniker.

Don't be deceived guys!!!
I don't care how cheap the are, I just won't fly them.

I also refuse to fly Airtran. I have flown ATA 3 times without any problems. Flights were on time.

Good point about AirTran, GenXer. I just saw a documentery about that Valujet crash on the Discovery Channel.

From enjoylife's original post, it seems as if he/she is inquiring about American Trans Air.

I am not referring to ATA. I am referring to Trans Air.

I'd like to retract my comments on AirTran.
I've recently flown AirTran for a business trip, and I had a great experience. If I have to fly AirTran again, I would not hesitate.
They now have one of youngest aircraft fleets in the nation, made up completely of Boeing 717s and they are expecting a delivery of brand new Boeing 737s this summer.

Intrigued by TinaToadster's comments on upgrading to first class for $30; any details on how that works? We fly AirTran in early June. I now see that this is a relatively "old" discussion, if they still do the first class upgrade, let me know.

Thanks,

Mary

I'm more interested in finding out what airline the OP was actually asking about-- since, when I listen to LAX's radio station listing the airlines flying there, I hear no mention of "Trans Air" other than "American Trans Air"-- that is, ATA....

Boy, we should have left this thread dead.

Mary.....from the website...
http://www.airtran.com/info/bclass/index.jsp......and please note it is Business Class, not First Class....Air Tran IS a low fare carrier,excellent value,but definitely not First C......and not designed to be.

marymarra, this excerpt is from AirTran.com: Business Class upgrades are available in advance at the airport on the day of your flight for $35.00 over the full one-way coach fare for nonstop flights ($50 for Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco) and for $70.00 over the full one-way fare for connecting flights ($85 for Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco). They are not available for use with discounted fares.

GenXer is about as consistent as John Kerry. How could you dislike an airline so much but forget about a wonderful experience.

I have flown Air Tran a few times and had no problems at all. To my knowledge, they have the youngest fleet and competitive fares.

ahhnold: I've never flown AirTran before my comments on 08/01/2003 and I've never said I did either. My "wonderful experience" was well after my original comments.

And please don't you ever compare me with John Kerry (the disgrace of America).

Forgive me, I did'nt even read the dates.

And, It's good to have other people who see the real John Kerry. Northeast liberals have no business in the White House.

I agree with your comments and add: liberals from anywhere have no business in the White House.

Good to hear. We are in the minority on this forum.

Only John Kerry can vote for and against the $87 million support on the same day. I'm from Massachusetts and we havn't heard the worst from this guy yet.

And only him can proudly go and fight in a war and them come back and say he never supported it.

Thats John Kerry. When he went to Vietnam, morale was high for the war, So it was the popular thing to do. When he got out, The polls were against the war,so he was as well. That is not a true test of leadership.
This has got to be the only guy in the country who is both a Catholic and a Jew.

Let me guess -- you guys are Republicans!!!

I'm the Governor of California! The screen name should explain it all.

I'm between a Republican and a Libertarian.

Trans Air...great airline.. flew from Boston to Atlanta, can't recommend them enough. Oh yes, I think for $40.00 you can get upgraded to first class.. So, the food isn't good...bring a snack of cheese and crackers or something else...but I'd fly them anytime.

GenXer, You are the Pat Buchannan to my Schwarzzenager.

oh, dear; well, thank you to the two folks who answered my question!

Mary

Mary...I did a little more research (my stylist called and he is running late!!)..here's the deal on the "upggrade"...You can purchase a Business Class ticket....In most markets, say between DFW and Atlanta..The one way Business Class fare is $35 higher than the full "Y" fare.....Air Tran is using the term "upgrade" as a marketing ploy..cute.huh? Now, as to the availability of utilizing the "upgrade" with other than the full "Y" fare(the most expensive)..The website indicates that as a "promotion", the "upgrades " at $35 per person per segment ARE available for any of their fares, on a standby,first come first served basis at the departure gate.So if there are seats available on any given flight in Business Class, anyone can purchase the upgrade.The usual subject to cancellation at any time without notice,blah blah blah...Hope that helps..Stephen

Stephen--thank you; it was very thoughtful of you to take the time to research that for me (especially given the tone of where this thread went!).

Many thanks,

Mary

Beachboi is a really nice guy.. a real cutey.. What are you up to now and where?