Talk of discount airlines is everywhere - they've changed the face of the travel industry forever, are driving fare structure overhauls, and have forced the majors to offer more direct flights.
This list of the current players offers details and inside lines on each airline; find at the end of the list more suggestions on how to find and book fares on these airlines.
Airtran Airways
(800) 247-8726
Route Map
Hub: Atlanta
Where to find them: the major booking sites, aggregator sites
Tip: Most flights route through the Atlanta hub; check for very affordable upgrades on the day of travel. Services many alternate airports; check the route map for a comprehensive list.
America West
(800) 235-9292
Route Map
Hubs: Columbus, Las Vegas, Phoenix
Where to find them: the major booking sites, aggregator sites
Tip: most service goes through Las Vegas or Phoenix.
American Trans Air (ATA)
(800) 435-9282
Route Map
Hubs: Chicago (Midway), Indianapolis, Phoenix is a mini-hub
Where to find them: the major booking sites, aggregator sites
Tip: check the airline Website for short-lived 24 and 48-hour fare sales
Frontier Airlines
(800) 432-1359
Timetables
Hub: Denver
Where to find them: the major booking sites, aggregator sites
Tip: Almost everything routes through Denver; check the weather. Frontier is focusing on adding flights to warm weather destinations like Hawaii and Mexico
Gulfstream International Air
(800) 525-0280 for Florida destinations; (800) 231-0856 for Bahamas destinations
Serves Florida and the Bahamas
Route Map
Where to find them: not bookable on their website; available on the major booking and aggregator sites through codeshares with Continental.com
JetBlue Airline
(800) JETBLUE (538-2583)
Route Map
Hubs: New York/JFK, Los Angeles/Long Beach
Where to find them: not on major booking sites, available on aggregator sites
Tip: rows 11 and back have more leg room
Song
800-FLY-SONG (800-359-7664)
Route Map
Hubs: intended to be "hub-less," focus on point-to-point routes
Where to find them: the major booking sites, aggregator sites
Tip: Song is adding new flights continuously, most in keeping with its "four corners" strategy thus far (see route map). Song is Delta's lowfare subsidiary, fares on major booking sites may be listed "Delta As Song." Song has been upgrading their entertainment systems to compete with jetBlue's in-seat satellite TV system.
Southwest Airlines
(800) I-FLY-SWA (800-435-9792)
Route Map
No Hub
Where to find them: only at Southwest.com
Tip: seats are not assigned, so arrive early; if you visit the southwest.com Web site early on the day of travel, you may be eligible for early boarding
Sun Country Airlines
1-800-FLY-N-SUN (1-800-359-6786)
Route Map
Where to find them: the major booking sites, aggregator sites
Tip: flights coming online in 2005 fly into smaller airports such as Mobile AL, Harlingen TX, Eau Claire WI, and Laughlin, NV/Bullhead City, AZ
Spirit Airlines
(800) 772-7117
Route Map
Where to find them: the major booking sites, aggregator sites
Tip: Spirit flies from some unexpected airports - Atlantic City, Providence, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International
TED Airlines
(800)CALL-TED (800-225-5833)
Hub:Chicago, Denver, Washington D.C.
Route Map
Where to find them: the major booking sites, aggregator sites
Tip: Ted is United's lowfare subsidiary (the name comes from "Uni-Ted"), fares may be listed as United or "United as Ted." A snackbox costs $5, and are available only on flights over 2.5 hours; you may want to eat before you fly, or BYO. |
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