Strange AirTran Routes..........

[Air_Sea_Road]

Hello all,

It's been years since I've posted in here, but I realized something strange with AirTran's Florida routes.

In about three weeks I will be flying AirTran from TLH to TPA, and from TPA travel to IND by way of U.S. Airways since AirTran does not service Indy.

My flight from TLH to TPA is non stop. Wouldn't one think I'd have to fly to their ATL hub to get to Tampa?

Just for fun, I priced flights from TLH to both FLL and MIA. This is really strange...............the flights from TLH to FLL require a stop in ATL, but if I fly from TLH to MIA, a stop is made in TPA. What is the reasoning behind this? I mean, FLL is only 15-20 miles from MIA, why is there a difference in stops? I have noticed there are some AirTran employees here, maybe they can help me out on this.

It will be my first time flying AirTran, after flying U.S. Airways and Northwest. I would have liked to have my entire flight with the same airline for sake of convenience, but unfortunately AirTran doesn't service Indy. I hope my AirTran experience is a good one!

[B717mech]

The reason for this is: you will be flying on AirTran Jet Connect, from TLH to TPA. Jet Connect does not serve FLL therefore you have to go through Atlanta. Jet Connect is our commuter operation operated by Air Wissconsin. They use RJ's 50 seats. Hope that answers your question..

[haze]

...but AirTran does service Bloomington/Normal which is less than 50 miles from Indianapolis

[FLAir]

Actually the TPA-MIA flights are getting cut in January.

It's not that odd....

We just happen to have a non stop from TPA-MIA (among other cities), but TPA is not a hub for us.

[wittcollegeguy]

Originally Posted by haze

...but AirTran does service Bloomington/Normal which is less than 50 miles from Indianapolis

Unfortunately this isn't the case. Bloomington/Normal airport is in Bloomington, Illinois and is 169 miles from Indianapolis. You're probably thinking of Bloomington, Indiana (BMG) which is only about 50 miles. Unfortunately there are no carriers with regular service out of BMG.

[haze]

...you are correct sir, my DeLorme Street Atlas USA map program calculated intrastate instead of interstate. I suppose it would've helped if I entered "IL" in the search, but I forgot all about Indiana University and Bloomington. Thanks!

[Delta7203]

Nothing to do with the topic but,....

Did (or is) Airtrain buy (or going to buy) 4 gates at DFW? Are you all going to turn it into a minihub?

[B717mech]

Yes we are buying (already bought) 4 gates at DFW. We are putting our own maintenance personel in place starting in Feb. Yes it will be a mini hub, we will us it simular to what we do in BWI.