AirTran Airways A+ Rewards - AirTran questions (infrequent flyer)

Hello all,

I'm new to AirTran and I'll be flying from BWI-MBJ (Jamaica) on Sunday. I didn't opt to pay for a certain seat but I thought I saw some where that you could call 24 hours before the flight to request certain seats or something like that. Is there a way to request seats within 24 hours of the flight?

I'm 6'3" and I'm hoping to get a seat with more leg room.

Also, how much does wifi cost?

Thanks in advance!

Patrick

Hello all,

I'm new to AirTran and I'll be flying from BWI-MBJ (Jamaica) on Sunday. I didn't opt to pay for a certain seat but I thought I saw some where that you could call 24 hours before the flight to request certain seats or something like that. Is there a way to request seats within 24 hours of the flight?

I'm 6'3" and I'm hoping to get a seat with more leg room.

Also, how much does wifi cost?

Thanks in advance!

Patrick

If you are able to do online check-in at 24 hours before your flight, you will be able to select your seat, at no additional cost. I believe that you will be charged a fee ($20), if you call in and request a seat assignment at 24 hours or less. You will not be able to select the bulkhead seats online, but if you check in early at the airport, and they are available, you might be able to switch from whatever seat you previously selected. For best available, don't wait for the airport to select a seat.

For Wi-Fi pricing, check out http://www.gogoair.com/gogo/splash.do. There is some special holiday pricing, that may be of interest.

Hope you enjoy the flight.

If you are able to do online check-in at 24 hours before your flight, you will be able to select your seat, at no additional cost. I believe that you will be charged a fee ($20), if you call in and request a seat assignment at 24 hours or less. You will not be able to select the bulkhead seats online, but if you check in early at the airport, and they are available, you might be able to switch from whatever seat you previously selected. For best available, don't wait for the airport to select a seat.

For Wi-Fi pricing, check out http://www.gogoair.com/gogo/splash.do. There is some special holiday pricing, that may be of interest.

Hope you enjoy the flight.

Not quite right. During the 24 hour online check-in window, any seat that is not in an exit row or in the front of the plane with priority boarding can be reserved free of charge. Outside of that window, these standard (non-exit, non-priority) seats can be reserved for $6 each direction (not per segment). At all times, exit row seats can be reserved for $20 each direction. Priority seats in the front of the plane can be reserved for $13-15 each direction.

The priority seats are usually the front 5-6 rows of coach. If you purchase them (as opposed to be assigned by a gate agent), you will get Zone 1 boarding, which is after business class boards. Purchasing an exit row also gets you zone 1.

If you're able to access your reservation online at airtran.com, you can choose a seat and pay for it at any time on the website. I recommend choosing a seat now rather than waiting for online check-in, for peace of mind.

To the tall OP, I *highly* recommend purchasing an exit row. Yes, it adds $40 to the roundtrip, but as a tall traveler (6'2") I think it's highly worth it. I'm guessing you'll be flying on a 737 which has a bit better seat pitch than a 717, but it's still a much more comfortable ride for someone your height on a 3.5 hour flight. I have never regretted the money I've paid for the extra legroom. I love airtran but they do pack you in tight on their planes.

As one final note to the OP, when you do check in online, if available, you will be offered an upgrade to business class. I'm guessing on that route it is $99 each way (but perhaps someone knows better). If you already paid for a seat reservation and you wish to upgrade, whatever you already paid will be applied to the upgrade fee.

Hope this helps!

Not quite right. During the 24 hour online check-in window, any seat that is not in an exit row or in the front of the plane with priority boarding can be reserved free of charge. Outside of that window, these standard (non-exit, non-priority) seats can be reserved for $6 each direction (not per segment). At all times, exit row seats can be reserved for $20 each direction. Priority seats in the front of the plane can be reserved for $13-15 each direction.

The priority seats are usually the front 5-6 rows of coach. If you purchase them (as opposed to be assigned by a gate agent), you will get Zone 1 boarding, which is after business class boards. Purchasing an exit row also gets you zone 1.



I have been able to select a seat in row 11 (2nd row of Economy) during OLCI, without paying a fee, as well as in priority rows. Though not allowed to priority board, I was able to sit up front, without paying the fee. I believe that row 11 is normally locked out prior to OLCI, so there is a fair chance it would be available at T24.

Someone not used to flying AirTran may find helpful info at http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/AirTran_Airways/AirTran_Airways_Boeing_737-700.php.

Row 10 has some additional legroom, but is blocked for airport assignment.

I would recommend accessing your reservation and spending the $20.00 for the exit row. This can be done at anytime, a phone call will accomplish the same.

Another more costly option with plenty of legroom would be an upgrade to BC. This can be done 24 hours prior to departure. Should you choose to reserve an exit row seat, the fee will be refunded during the upgrade process.

Thanks for all the info! I wish I could just pay the $20 each way but I'd have to pay it for my wife too and $80 for us (round trip) just to have extra leg room doesn't seem to make sense since money is tight for us right now.

I thought I read somewhere that you can't check in for an international flight online. Is that incorrect?

So it sounds like trying to get row 10 is my best bet for not paying the $80 (round trip for both of us)?

Thanks again for all the links and advice!

Patrick

I thought I read somewhere that you can't check in for an international flight online. Is that incorrect?


That is correct. Only domestic flights allow online check in for AirTran.

Ok, so can I call at t-24 or can I only get a seat at checkin?

You won't be able to get any seats with extra legroom without paying extra so it won't really matter if you get seats assigned at 24 hours or at the airport other then you might be a bit closer to the front of the plane.

Oh, I thought they opened up all the seats at t-24 without charging extra $$. I'd rather be at toward the front of the plane than the back so if I call in t-24 can they do that or do I have to wait until check in?

Also, will I be able to get an Internet connection while flying over the Atlantic to Jamaica?

Tight money, get ready, bar drink is 7.50JA, not American Dollar....everyone had their hand out in JA......so get ready for the squeeze....if you don't have the money don't go....enjoy the vacation, JA knows you can afford it....Be Happy....

You won't be able to get any seats with extra legroom without paying extra so it won't really matter if you get seats assigned at 24 hours or at the airport other then you might be a bit closer to the front of the plane.

Let me see if I have the correct picture. You want seats with extra legroom. You don"t want to spend any additional money. Air Travel in 2011 means if you want more room it will cost you more unless you have status. Unless you plan on pulling a rabbit out of your hat, it looks like you will be sitting in a seat with conventional legroom.

Satman40: I'm staying at an all inclusive resort that I paid for in June. Things have changed financially for me since then. Thanks for you concern though.

RSVP, thanks for your previous information but you last post adds nothing...

Get to the airport early......not more tha 4 hours prior and check in with an agent. You should have no problem getting an exit row seat. It is rare that people pay the $20.00 for it, but some do. The earlier you get there, the better chance you have to get it.

Great, thank you Airtran1! I appreciate it!


Get to the airport early......not more tha 4 hours prior and check in with an agent. You should have no problem getting an exit row seat. It is rare that people pay the $20.00 for it, but some do. The earlier you get there, the better chance you have to get it.

Tight money, get ready, bar drink is 7.50JA, not American Dollar....everyone had their hand out in JA......so get ready for the squeeze....if you don't have the money don't go....enjoy the vacation, JA knows you can afford it....Be Happy....

Sorry about that, when things get tough we just stay home and save a buck...rather than having that we deserve attitude....which gets US in trouble......The Obama Generation...

No problem! If I could cancel it for a refund I would have.

I just called AirTran T-24 and they got me in 10B/C for no charger. The other option was to pay $20 for exit row seats.

Thanks for all your advice!