Well, I've flown both airlines and since you asked, here's my nickel's worth...

1. I much prefer AirTran.
2. Southwest is no place for a frequent flyer; if you only fly occasionally, it will probably suit you fine.

Here are some points to consider in comparing the two. They may or may not apply to you, so take them for what they're worth. Also bear in mind, that this is a personal *opinion* and not gospel.

- AirTran has assigned seats and usually (not 100% of the time, but usually) an orderly boarding procedure. Southwest is a cattle stampede. Southwest lets about 20-30 people pre-board; hence the #1 card you stood in line for over an hour for is not worth a bucket of warm spit.
- AirTran has exit row seats. Ask for them when you check in. Since AirTran does not preassign seats, the early bird scores the seats. Southwest has face-to-face seating where there is some extra space, so you and the person you're staring at are sharing the same knee room. This is OK is you are both under 5 feet tall.
- If you change planes on a Southwest flight, you HAVE TO STAND IN LINE ALL OVER AGAIN...every segment. Better have LOTS of time between planes.
- I have never been in an AirTran line where they were checking in multiple flights, leaving close together, in the same line. This has happened to me on Southwest ---FYI, it was in HOU where this happened...chaos!-- and was the reason I quit flying them forever. But again, this is a personal thing, so don't think I'm saying this happens all the time. It's just that once was enuff for this traveller.
- The FAs on AirTran are professional and efficient. I say this so you won't think I am cutting them down when I say that they don't match the joy and enthusiasm of the SOuthwest FAs. No airline that I've ever flown on has matched them, although the Air Micronesia crews come close.
- I can't speak on the safety issue with any authority. I can only tell you that I regularly have my wife and daughter fly with them and never lose a minute's sleep over it. Very subjective, yes.
-Both airlines...AirTran out of Ft. Walton Beach and Southwest out of Houston leave and arrive as regular as clockwork. VERY dependable in my experience!
-Southwest has a thicker in-flight magazine.
-AirTran has Business Class seating available for a very reasonable cost. Just remember that you are only getting the space, not a meal with real dinnerware.

I much prefer AirTran, but again, that's just my opinion. I hope the info helps you pick the one that works best for you.

[This message has been edited by hnechets (edited 08-10-2000).]