Overall, I like AirTran. If I’m going to California, I’ll look at SouthWest first but otherwise, I prefer AirTran.
Why? I’d love to talk up the company - a division of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI) - and tell you what plush seats and amazing service they have. If I did though, I’d be lying.
In reality, their seats are no more and no less comfortable than any of the other low-cost airlines, and they have the typical friendly service you’d expect. The main reason why I stick with AirTran is that I’m a creature of habit. I’ve flown with them before, I know what to expect and so I’ll fly with them again.
Plus, they have some really good deals that I like to take advantage of every now and again.
But my reasons for flying with them has just officially changed. Because check this out… Air Tran Airways is going to start carrying wi-fi!
Of course at the price of $9.95 for anything under a three hour flight, $12.95 for anything over that and $7.95 for Blackberry/iPhone access, I doubt I’ll ever use it since I’m rather… ummm… thrifty most of the time. (Let’s not say cheap. It’s such a hurtful word.)
But as a person who carries her laptop around with her whenever she goes on a trip, it’s nice to know I could take advantage of the internet should I somehow desperately need it.
Of course other airlines have already announced their intentions to offer wi-fi capabilities en route. American Airlines, Virgin America, JetBlue Airways Corporation (Nasdaq: JBLU), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and Alaska Airlines are all in varying stages of implementing the technology.
AirTran stands out though, by becoming the first to equip all of its jets with Wi-Fi access. Or at least if everything goes right, it will be the first in just a few short months. If anything goes wrong, Delta Air Lines will hone in on that title, since it too has announced near completion of its own plan to do the same.
And Delta already has the prestigious advantage of claiming more opportunities for Wi-Fi on board than any other airline in the world. After completion in September, the company will have over 500 aircraft offering the service.
It’s like an internet café for the skies and on the cheap… without the perfectly brewed cappuccinos and freshly baked pastries of course, but who knows? Maybe airlines can start work on that next.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - by Jeannette Di Louie, Assistant Editor, Mt. Vernon Research
