Southwest to acquire AirTran

[PDC]

Not sure if this has been discussed here, but if not......

http://www.lowfaresfarther.com/

Interesting that an airline that doesn't charge baggage fees can afford to buy one that does.

[dirtfan]

From that website:


Q: What about Bag Fees?
A: As you know, Southwest does not charge a bag fee for the 1st or 2nd checked bag. AirTran charges $20 for the 1st checked bag, $25 for the 2nd, and $50 for additional bags. Upon full integration, it is our intent to have a consistent product offering. It is our intent that the bag fees would not be part of that product.

Q: Will you charge a Change Fee?
A: As you know, Southwest does not charge change fees. AirTran charges a $75 for any changes made after purchase. Upon full integration, it is our intent to have a consistent product offering. It is our intent that the change fees would not be part of that product.

Q: What about assigned seats?
A: As you know, Southwest does not assign seats. AirTran does offer seat assignments including Business class and Coach. Upon full integration, it is our intent to have a consistent product offering. It is our intent that seat assignments would not be part of that product.

Q: What about dual class service?
A: As you know, Southwest offers one class of service. AirTran offers Business class and Coach. Upon full integration, it is our intent to have a consistent product offering. It is our intent that dual class service would not be part of that product.


I remember when flying on Southwest, and the flight attendant saying on the intercom "see that empty seat, that's your assigned set. Now sit down so we can get underway."

[Frank Capua]

Good... Cause, it's my intent to keep flying AirTran to Indy and back.

[Jag-lover]

Southwest to AirTran: "Resistance is futile...you will be assimilated."

[akh]

Being a dedicated Southwest flyer (Rapid Rewards member since 1/91), this merger presents a whole range of questions and emotions. I am really happy that Southwest continues to grow and be profitable, but I am a bit scared that they have forgotten what made them great and have lost their way a bit since Herb Kelleher stepped down from day-to-day management. For the first time ever, after the merger, Southwest will fly more than one type of aircraft. Now I have flown on AirTran's B-717's and they are nice planes, and SW's pilots have approved the addition, but it is a step away from their sucessful model. The biggest question for me is how they will integrate the two schedules, will they actually retain most if not all of the AirTran destinations, and how to merge a Hub-and-Spoke operation with a Point-to-Point? Gaining access to ATL fills a major hole in Southwest's coverage, but they cannot retain AirTran's "everything goes through ATL" model without seriously compromising the way they have done business since their inception.

My biggest fear is that in their rush to expand, Southwest is consistently forgetting the one thing that operationally made them great. By flying into secondary, underutilized airports they could control their destiny better. They could minimize downtime and turn a flight in under 30 minutes...planes make money flying...simple. This was why they chose HOU, DAL, MDW, MCT, BWI, OAK, and many others. But now they are breaking their model with expansion into PHL, Boston Logan, ATL, and EWR (Newark-Liberty). These airports are much more expensive to operate from, and will kill Southwest's ontime stats.

The other big gain in this merger is access to Mexico and the Carribean. Aside from a recently announced code-share with Volaris of Mexico, this will be their first expansion outside the Lower 48. The announced codeshare with WestJet in Canada having died a premature death before beginning operations, it will be very interesting to see if they can deliver their trademark service in these areas.

It looks like Southwest is committed to keeping many of the things that make them stand out in the crowd, no bag fees, no change fees, no assigned seats, the "fun" mentality. I hope they can make it last.

[PDC]

Thanks akh, those are very valid concerns. I am getting tired of the hassle at Orlando International. I wonder if Orlando-Sanford would better fit Southwest's business model. Do any of our members from the Orlando area know much about that airport?

As for the 717, it is a nice plane, but being 6 feet tall, I prefer SW's more comfy 737s. I was hoping their purchase of AirTran wouldn't include the 717.

[akh]

Thanks akh, those are very valid concerns. I am getting tired of the hassle at Orlando International. I wonder if Orlando-Sanford would better fit Southwest's business model. Do any of our members from the Orlando area know much about that airport?

As for the 717, it is a nice plane, but being 6 feet tall, I prefer SW's more comfy 737s. I was hoping their purchase of AirTran wouldn't include the 717.

What I've heard and read is that Southwest wants to use the 7i7's for the lower demand airports. Makes some sense...instead of flying a half-full 737-700, fill a 717... They are a little tight (I'm 6' 1") but nice and quiet and with roomy overhead bins.

In related news, Southwest has announced their intent to buy some of the 737-800's to use in the high-demand and high-cost markets (EWR and Laguardia for e.g.) and also on potential new international flights. They'll get the first 20 800-Series aircraft starting March 2012 and they'll be configured for 175 passengers.

http://www.examiner.com/airline-industry-in-national/737-800-to-join-southwest-fleet-2012

[PDC]

I wonder if Indy is considered lower demand.

We fly to Orlando twice a year, and since it is Orlando, they are always full both ways. I wouldn't be surprised if they keep the 737s for that route (I hope).

[Ren Butler]

This is timely news, because I hardly ever fly, but the family is thinking of flying from Indy to Orlando next month. The only two non-stops are operated by -- Southwest and AirTran. There seems to be little difference in fares, but it sounds like AirTran will have more potential fees?

[Race Dork]

Thanks akh, those are very valid concerns. I am getting tired of the hassle at Orlando International. I wonder if Orlando-Sanford would better fit Southwest's business model. Do any of our members from the Orlando area know much about that airport?

As for the 717, it is a nice plane, but being 6 feet tall, I prefer SW's more comfy 737s. I was hoping their purchase of AirTran wouldn't include the 717.

Sanford is a nice little airport. You can get in and out easily. I'd use it more if it was a little closer (Tampa is closer for me), but I like the accessibility.

[PDC]

Ren, AirTran charges $20 for the first checked bag, $25 for the second, per person. They also have seat fees ranging from $6 to $20, if you want to pick where you sit.
Southwest has none of those fees, but it does have 'festival' seating.

Race Dork, thanks for the info. I will start sending emails to SW to get into Sanford.

[akh]

This is timely news, because I hardly ever fly, but the family is thinking of flying from Indy to Orlando next month. The only two non-stops are operated by -- Southwest and AirTran. There seems to be little difference in fares, but it sounds like AirTran will have more potential fees?

Southwest does have one fee (completely optional) that IMO is worth it, their "Early Bird" fee of $10/person/each way. It is basically a way to make sure you get an "A" Group boarding number (one of the first 60). Otherwise, you need to be on the computer at exactly 24hrs before flight time and be poised for action. The best things in Southwest's corner are no bag fees and no change/cancellation fees on your tickets. Warning - The Early Bird fee IS non-refundable if you have to cancel a flight.

I've flown both airlines and like them both. AirTran does have poorer on-time statistics. The fact you can get from Indy to Orlando on them w/o a stop in ATL is amazing. I thought almost all of their flights made the stopover.

[Ren Butler]

We'll be flying with a child under two years old, and from what I've read on the Internet (which everybody should take as gospel -- LOL), SW allows families with small children to board early so they can sit together.

[Doyouloveit?]

We'll be flying with a child under two years old, and from what I've read on the Internet (which everybody should take as gospel -- LOL), SW allows families with small children to board early so they can sit together.

That is usually the case with SW flights. However I think the priority class flyers (i.e., ones who fly over 32 one-way flights a year) get to go first, then families with small children and then the normal folk. I'm really glad SW went to the A,B and C boarding system. Annoyed the hell out of me before with the first come first boarded system, when person of group squatted in line and once it was time to board 3 or 4 more people would come join that person.

When I fly SW, I'm a die-hard checking in right @ 24 hour before departure time to hopefully get the A group. However, now SW offers for $10 additional fee to check a passenger in which means an A group.

[skypigeon]

This is timely news, because I hardly ever fly, but the family is thinking of flying from Indy to Orlando next month. The only two non-stops are operated by -- Southwest and AirTran. There seems to be little difference in fares, but it sounds like AirTran will have more potential fees?

I wouldn't call it a "fee," but if there's open first-class seats on a flight, AirTran happily will let you upgrade to one of those seats at the gate for $40. Cash only. (At least it was that way in 2008.)

I almost did it on a flight back from Charlotte. I hate the coach class seats on their 717's. Sit in them longer than an hour and your arse aches like no one's business. That was before I lost my weight. I hate to think how bad they'd feel to me now.