are the low prices for real? anyone have bad experiences with this airline?

This was just on the board the other day. I will top it 4 u.

Post must have been deleted. MOst if not all were favorable.

No out-of-the-ordinary problems. I've flown them about a dozen times in the last couple of years.

aka ValueJet

Yep, I even flew 'em when they were ValuJet. No problems. In case, you missed the news article: The crash involving the ValuJet plane in Miami was not the airline's fault.
I've had far and away more problems with other carriers.

I have had no real problems flying Air Tran. The only annoying thing is if there are weather problems. Since they are smaller, they don't electronically post updates on a screen. So you have to talk to someone to get information. If there is a storm, the gates and ticket counter will be packed with people. They also didn't have automatic flight info on their 800 # the last time I flew. I had to wait on hold for 30 minutes to get info on my flight before leaving for the airport. This was 2 years ago, but be warned. Especially if you are traveling during a peak time.

We just flew AirTran from Atlanta to Ft. Lauderdale about 3 weeks ago. The flight was fine but that was the oldest plane I've ever been on. The bathrooms are where you could really see the age of the airplane.

Like I said, there was no problem but if it bothers you at all to fly old planes, skip this airline.

Kelly

I flew airtran to Orlando this past Christmas and it was surprisingly good for the price. Was much more efficient than Delta with whom I normally fly. I'd definitely fly them again. We were on one their newer plains going down there which was almost as roomy (seat width) as Delta's 1st class. We flew business class back (for a $50 per person upgrade) and it was also pretty nice. Highly recommend

The majority of AirTran's fleet now consists of the Boeing 717, a great plane. They are retiring all of the ancient DC-9s which Kelly referred to. Incidentally, Northwest, USAirways and several other "majors" still fly DC-9s as well.

Basically - it's no thrills... you get what you pay for.

Jen: No "thrills"? I would hope all flights would be no thrills. I'm guessing you meant no frills...

AirTran is Valu Jet- they changed the name b/c of the bad publicity from the infamous crash over the Everglades several years ago.

Perhaps Capt. Kirk was away from this planet on the Enterprise when it was revealed that the Valu Jet crash was caused by fuel tanks that were illegally on board the plane, placed there by employees who didn't understand English.

I wouldn't fly 'AirTran' if you paid me to.

I'm glad to know that AirTran is replacing its fleet.

I was good friends with an airplane mechanic who knew someone involved with AirTran some years ago (pre-crash). He told my friend that he'd never fly AirTran because their fleet were very old European planes that they bought dirt cheap. He swore he'd never fly them because of it.

Knowing this was maybe seven years ago, things may have changed. But I have been reluctant to fly them ever since.

Sam-Usairways has retired all of their DC9-30's....

This is a fairly recent development, probably since 9-11. I flew a USAirways DC9 last summer. Sam's point is that all airlines are getting rid of the ol' planes, though.

Flown AirTran lots of times. They're no better or no worse than any other airline. I love 'em 'cause they're cheap.

Fly Airtran alot. Can get a one way ticket or round trip. Just a basic flight. Try to fly early a.m. when I can. Good luck.