Southwest acquired AirTran last year but will operate it as a subsidiary as it gradually transitions the AirTran fleet into Southwest planes in the next few years. The launch of Southwest service at Hartsfield-Jackson will have several effects.
What it means to you
The arrival of Southwest Airlines in Atlanta will bring another option for local travelers, one with a different style of service from Delta Air Lines and AirTran Airways. It’s a way for Southwest to introduce itself to Atlanta travelers, as it prepares to gradually convert AirTran service into its own.
Atlanta travelers who fly Southwest should keep in mind that the mega-discounter from Dallas operates a little differently from what you may be used to with Delta Air Lines, AirTran Airways and other carriers.
Different boarding process
One of the biggest differences is the boarding process. You may already know that Southwest doesn’t have assigned seats, but the airline several years ago made significant changes to its boarding process. Here’s what you need to know:
Most important, check in online at Southwest’s website 24 hours before your flight and print your boarding pass. That’s because you board in the order in which you checked in.
If you can’t check in online, do so as soon as you get to the airport.
Your boarding pass will assign you to boarding group A, B or C, along with a boarding position ranging from 1 to 60. This is not a seat assignment — it’s your position in line to board. That means you don’t have to rush to the gate to get in line.
When the agent calls your boarding group, line up next to the correct numbered column for your boarding position. Board and sit in any available seat.
ome passengers get automatically reserved boarding positions, including Business Select, Early Bird Check-In and A-List members of Southwest’s frequent flier program. An adult with a child 4 years old or younger can board during family boarding between the A and B groups.
Adjusting routes
Southwest Airlines launches service from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Southwest will begin gradually absorbing AirTran jets into its own fleet over the next year or two. For now, AirTran will continue flying with about 170 daily flights from Atlanta.
AirTran routes that Southwest is discontinuing from Atlanta:
• Dallas/Fort Worth
• White Plains, N.Y.
• Sarasota, Fla.
• Atlantic City, N.J.
• Newport News, Va.
• Bloomington/Normal, Ill.
• Washington Dulles
Frequent fliers
Travelers on Southwest can earn credits through Southwest’s frequent flier program, called Rapid Rewards. Southwest hasn’t yet laid out details on folding AirTran’s A+ Rewards program into Rapid Rewards. But here’s what you need to know if you join Southwest’s frequent flier program:
• Southwest’s recently revamped Rapid Rewards program has no blackout dates and points don’t expire, although you have to earn points every 24 months to keep your account active.
• Points earned depend on fare. Wanna Get Away fares earn 6 points per dollar; Anytime fares earn 10 points per dollar; Business Select fares earn 12 points per dollar.
• Points required for award travel also depend on the fare for the flight you’re trying to book. A Wanna Get Away fare costs 60 points per dollar; an Anytime fare costs 100 points per dollar; a Business Select fare costs 120 points per dollar.
Southwest's website has a video on Rapid Rewards
Fees
Southwest does not charge checked baggage fees like Delta and AirTran do. Southwest allows the first and second checked bags for free. Southwest also does not charge change fees, although passengers may need to pay a higher fare if they change flights.
Southwest does charge other fees, including:
• $10: Each way for EarlyBird Check-In, an option that increases the chance of boarding earlier in Southwest’s open seating system.
• $5: Each way for in-flight Internet access.
• $75: Each way to carry on a pet.
• $50: Each way for unaccompanied minors, in addition to fare.
A full rundown of Southwest's fees is here
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