I just saw a bus pass by today with an advertisement for Independence Air. Apparently it used to be Atlantic Coast Airways which I never even heard of, and I live in NYC. Has anyone ever taken either of these airlines or heard anything about them?

I think its www.flyi.com

They've been advertising a lot lately, a new budget startup airline. Atlantic Coast used to be one of those commuter airlines, like when you fly United and they tell you "you'll fly to Chicago on United, and then take our express carrier on to Providence...", the express carrier was Atlantic Coast.

Since last weekend Independence Air flies from Burlington, Vermont to Washington, Dulles. Introductory fare was $29.00 one way

I could be wrong, but I think Atlantic Coast is a regional Delta partner, sort of like Comair. I've flow Atlantic Air twice. The first time was a completely unimpressive experience for a variety of reasons. The second, I would consider a "standard" flying experience. Nothing really spectacular about it, but nothing to gripe about either.

Tracy is correct. I Air is expected to be flying to the west coast in the fall.

Hi,

Due to the cheap flights, I am flying Independence Air in a few weeks from Dulles to Manchester, NH. I'll let you know how it goes.

Karen

Atlantic Coast was a commuter airline that serves multiple major carriers. It broke up its agreement with United as a feeder at Washington-Dulles, and started Independence Air for that market. It's probably still serving other markets as feeders.

As stated by the others Atlantic Coast was mainly a commuter airline serving the eastern corridor. Independence air (fly i) broke their contract with United and is now flying independently (hence the name). My husband recently flew them Dulles to NY (White Plains) and said it was fine. Right now they're still mainly doing commuter routes but have ordered some airbuses and will be flying cross country by the end of the year! I can't wait to see where they will go!

There was an article on yesterday's WSJ about the load of Independence Air. So far they have relied on direct reservation, like Southwest and Jetblue; and they don't put their flights on major reservation system.

Some reporters tried to count the number of people checking-in on the flights, and report that their load factor may be in the 35-40% vs ~80% for most carriers. And don't forget that regional jets have higher per-seat cost than planes like the 737 and A320.

Many people just don't like to fly on regional jets. Those who don't know better and book Independence Air will be in for a rude surprise at the airport.

I flew Independence from Dulles to Raleigh in June and am flying from Dulles to Norfolk next weekend. I had a great experience with them and $80 round trip is worth it to me to avoid fighting the traffic between DC and my parents' place in Virginia Beach.

rkkwan: sorry if I seem dim, but can you explain what you mean when you refer to having a rude awakening when arriving at the airport?

The lowdown on Independence Air here:

http://www.flyi.com/company.htm

What kind of aircraft are they flying now, if anyone knows? They have flights for $89 out of Raleigh......... but I don't care for small planes, and I'm betting these are???

I flew them back in May, as United Express, right before they ended their contract with United. Flew from O'Hare to Wichita. The jet they used was a 50 seater CanadaAir jet. 12 rows of seats with 2 seats on each side of the aisle & last row just had 2 seats (no first class). It was comfortable & didn't really seem like a small jet, except for the overhead bin was small. We were going for a hockey tournament, so we checked most of our luggage anyways. But as you apprached the plane to go up the stairs, they had a luggage cart on which you could put all your unchecked luggage & then they loaded it on to the plane right before you took off. The takeoff, flight & landing were all smooth.

Bonniebroad,

The flight I took to Raleigh was on a plane with 13 rows, 2 seats on each side. Not the smallest plane I've ever been on. We did gate check carryons that could have been carried onboard a larger plane but there just wasn't the needed overhead compartment room to accomodate them.

karenvk - I don't mind flying small jets, or even turboprop, for short distances. But I know a lot of people do not enjoy flying them. And some of these people may not realize that they will flying on regional jets, as Southwest, Jetblue, Airtran, and all other low-fare low-cost airlines fly mostly mainline jets like 737 or 320.

Besides what's been described here about having to gate-check your "carryons", you'll also find a lack of shoulder room on the planes, a much noisier cabin, and a lack of entertainment for most regional jets. And such flights really become intelorable when the flight time exceeds 2 hours.

I would agree with rkkwan that the plane would not be in any way comfortable for long distances. I have not booked anything flights over an hour on Independence and don't know that I would until they add larger planes to their fleet before the end of the year to accomodate their cross-country flights they don't yet fly. One of my employees flew them from Dulles to Chicago this week and I will certainly get his feedback when he returns on Monday about the longer flight.

I just flew this airline from NoVA to JAX and it was a decent experience similiar to Southwest. I had an excellent rate of 59.00 each way and the plane I flew on seemed newer and about the same size as a SWA jet. (I dont know my jets). I saw some other small jets of theres and none of them were turbo props like ive flown on w/ ASA. I say give them a break, they are just getting off the runway. They are also being sued by a security company in Annapolis, MD for their FLYi slogan for their website. Its a tough market. But they are on a good start and have a great website and flight crews.

That Chicago to Witchita flight I took was 2 hours in duration. I now remember saying as I got off that jet, that 2 hours was about the limit I could take on that size jet. It was comfortable for about the first 1 1/2 hours, bearable the last 30 minutes or so, & the bones just beginning to creek as we were standing up to get off the plane.