Help. I'm afraid. Anyone fly ATA?
 

booked Maui, really excited. Got cheap price on ATA from LAX. Started reading awful things about how old the planes are. I'm terrified of flying anyway, and 5 hours over the Pacific is just scary. <BR>Anyone have any experience with ATA? Please give details. Thanks.

I fly ATA regularly on the route between Chicago-Midway and New York-LaGuardia. They are a small airline but safe and dependable as well as cheap. Yes the planes are older, I think they buy used ones from other airlines but not sure. You can tell they are older and not quite as nice because of things like older very worn carpets and old tattered upholstrey on the seats. That being said, I have never had any problems with them being unsafe. Older doesn't mean dangerous! You will be fine,

Thanks, Beth. But aren't the planes supposed to be retired after a certain point. L1011's sound pretty old. <BR>It's just 5 hours over an ocean that is so scary. I mean over land you can have an emergency landing or something. <BR>

Hi Cindy- I have no experience with ATA, but used to fly to Bermuda regularly on a Delta L1011 during the late 80's- At that time the 1011 was supposed to be one of the safest planes in the sky- Went out of Atlanta instead of Baltimore when possible mainly because of the comfort of the plane. Someone may say otherwise, but the FAA is pretty god about inspections- If you got a great rate, who cares if you don't have a plug-in for your 'puter! Have fun and a good stiff drink!

Cindy, I swear I posted the exact same message when we got free ATA tickets to NYC though my husband's company. <BR>Well we just returned from our trip (last week) and I am happy to report that the planes didn't seem any older to me then any others I have flown. The flight attendents were nice. But be forwarned, they DO NOT FEED YOU... only some breakfast bars and peanuts. I guess there main rout is Chicago to NYC, but we flew out of LAX to NYC with a stop at Chicago's Midway. Of course our flight into NYC was delayed and we couldn't get off the plane at Midway.. so we basically went nearly 10 hours with nothing but a package of peanuts. Bring a sack lunch or really chow down before you board!!! Otherwise they seemed as safe as any other airline and apparently *knock on wood** they have a very solid safety record. Bon Voyage

My husband and I just returned from a last minute vacation to Hawaii. Auto Club booked us with ATA...we were very skeptical! They were great...left exactly on time, going and coming...arrived early both ends. Attendants were friendly, helpful and the food was better than the average US airline in our opinion. Crowded? yes...there is no business or first class...planes are older...but clean. I wouldn't hesitate to fly them again. <BR>

Thanks for the reassurance. It's ok if they don't feed us, we will take stuff. It's just being over water for so long that terrifies me. But then I said that right? heheh. I know they are VERY cheap. $330 roundtrip from LAX to Maui....

Janet, were you flying from LA to Hawaii? <BR>How long were you there? <BR>Any great tips on Maui? Where did you stay by the way? <BR>Taking my boyfriend for his first time in May. <BR>Thanks.

Cindy, I have flewn ATA many times and have never had any problems. The only thing is like Thyra said that they don't feed you. Just make sure you bring snacks or eat before you leave and you will be fine.

We just flew ATA to and from Clearwater, <BR>Florida and the planes were in better <BR>shape than the NW planes we flew in <BR>February. The flight attendents were <BR>great but do fill your stomach before <BR>you go. I had looked at a websight where you can look up any airline and <BR>any type of plan and see what incidents <BR>and accidents there have been and ATA <BR>had nothing significant on record. Since returning from our trip our computer crashed so I don't have that <BR>websight. Does anyone else?