Discount Airlines - Deciding Which One is Truly the Best

Three companies come to mind when someone researches the Internet to find the cheapest and most flexible airfare: AirTran, Independence Air and Southwest. Others are out there, but these three have the majority of the traveler’s pie. Which of these is the best? Or all they all basically the same?

AirTran Airways, with its hub in Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport, is specifically for Business Class Travelers. Their mission is to “provide the best flying experience to smart travelers.” Their Boeings are younger and equipped with personal radios, larger storage bins and more space. It’s vague when the company actually began flying, but from their Annual Report it looks like around 1999. At this point, they’ve surpassed budget steadily over the past five years, and now provides over 500 flights a day to 40 different destinations. This is all well and good, but what about their record? Are you going to have delays flying with AirTran? How discount is discount? According to the September 2005 Air Consumer Report (put out monthly by the Department of Transportation,) AirTran was reported only to have approximately 60% of its flights running on time. (All statistics come from a base of 40 reportable airports.) 

They have specials running often, but a flight from Washington-Dulles Airport to Orlando runs on average about $165.00 round trip right now. Customer Service has been one of their strong-suits, and like many of the discount carriers, you need to get used to the pretzel and beverage service.