passenger check-in
Ticket Counter Check-in Requirements
AirTran Airways recommends that passengers arrive at the airport 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of their flight. Due to security requirements, passengers and their baggage will not be accepted at the ticket counter less than 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of their flight (some smaller airports may accept baggage up to 30 minutes prior to departure time). See AirTran Airways' Contract of Carriage for specific airport check-in requirements.
Back to TopGate Check-in requirements
Customers must present themselves at the flight departure gate no later than ten minutes prior to the scheduled departure of their flight. Failure to comply will cause the customer to lose their reservation and, if so, they will not be eligible for denied boarding compensation.
Back to TopChildren and Infants
AirTran Airways strongly encourages customers traveling with infants less than 7 days old to consult with their physician prior to traveling. One (1) infant under two (2) years of age, not occupying a seat, may be carried free of charge in the lap of a customer paying the applicable adult fare (AirTran may request a birth certificate to validate the infant's age).
You may bring a stroller to the gate for ease of travel through the airport. The stroller may be gate checked just before boarding the plane and will be returned to the aircraft jet way upon arrival at your destination. Car seats and strollers may be checked free of charge; any other items are subject to standard baggage fees (i.e., portable crib, high chair, etc.).
Booster-type child seats, vest and harness-type systems, and lap held child belts are not approved for use in the aircraft during movement on the surface, taxi, takeoff and landing; they may be used during cruise flight only. The C.A.R.E.S. (Child Aviation Restraint System) is currently the only child safety device FAA approved for all points of travel, in place of a child restraint seat.
When traveling with an infant, you are allowed more than the standard one carry-on item in order to travel with baby-related items such as diapers, baby clothes, blanket, etc. We recommend that you carry on an ample supply of baby care items in the event that your flight is delayed. Security requirements prevent us from retrieving checked luggage from the cargo stowage.
Back to TopUnaccompanied Minors
To ensure a safe, pleasant travel experience, unaccompanied minors should be booked on flights that will arrive at the final destination between 6:00 am and 7:00 pm local time. AirTran does not accept unaccompanied minors on any last flight of the day. This policy enables the Escort on Arrival to receive a gate pass and progress through the security check point to meet the child at their arrival gate in a timely manner, and minimizes the likelihood of an unaccompanied minor being caught overnight in a connecting city.
AirTran defines an unaccompanied minor as a child at least five (5) years of age but less than twelve (12) years of age who is not accompanied by a customer twelve (12) years of age or older. All applicable fees will apply.
Unaccompanied minors will be accepted for travel, with limitations, based on their itinerary. AirTran does not accept unaccompanied minors on any last flight of the day.
- A child five (5) to seven (7) years of age will be accepted only on nonstop or direct flights between their origin and destination, provided the flight is not the last flight of the day to their destination.
- A child eight (8) to eleven (11) years of age will be accepted even if their itinerary involves a connecting flight, provided the connecting flight is not the last flight of the day to their destination.
- A child twelve (12) to fifteen (15) years of age is not required to travel as an unaccompanied minor. However, AirTran will accept children in this age category as unaccompanied minors upon request. Their itinerary may include a connecting flight, provided the connecting flight is not the last flight of the day to their destination.
AirTran Airways takes every measure to ensure all children traveling alone are protected and special provisions are made for unaccompanied minors. Although children 12 years and older are eligible to fly as an adult without being subject to the unaccompanied minor fee, registering a child as an unaccompanied minor ensures that the child will be in the custodial care of AirTran at all times.
Fees
- Unaccompanied minors will be charged a fee of $39 one-way on nonstop and direct flights or $78 roundtrip.
- If two (2) or more children are traveling together, only one (1) charge is applicable.
- When an unaccompanied minor's itinerary involves a connecting flight, a fee of $59 one-way or $118 roundtrip will be charged. If two (2) or more children are traveling together, only one (1) charge is applicable.
Please advise AirTran Airways if the reservation is for an unaccompanied minor. AirTran will need information regarding the individual designated to take custody of the unaccompanied minor at the final destination. The designated individual will be required to present positive identification and sign a release.
Originating City — Departure Gate
AirTran Airways asks that you have the unaccompanied child check in at the departure gate at least one (1) hour prior to scheduled departure. The child will be courtesy-boarded and identified to the Flight Attendant as an unaccompanied child. Unaccompanied children arriving after the courtesy-boarding process has been completed will be boarded last, to ensure identification to the Flight Attendant. The person escorting the unaccompanied minor to the gate must remain at the gate until the flight departs.
Destination City — Meeting an Unaccompanied Minor
The child will be escorted off the aircraft by a Flight Attendant and released to the designee or another designated AirTran Airways Crew Member. AirTran Airways will require the person picking up the unaccompanied child to produce positive identification and sign a release. If an unaccompanied minor is not met at the destination airport, AirTran Airways will make every attempt to reach the adult sending the child or the adult responsible for meeting the child. If AirTran Airways is unable to make contact with the adults listed in the reservation the Unaccompanied Minor will be returned to his/her originating city at the expense of the adult who sent the UM. As a last resort, if the responsible adults for the UM are delinquent in meeting the child and/or responding to calls, AirTran Airways will place the child in the custody of local authorities or child protective services.
AirTran Airways hopes you will understand these requirements are intended for the safety and well-being of your child.
Back to TopBoarding Procedures
AirTran Airways will board unaccompanied minors, passengers traveling with infant in arms and passengers requiring special assistance first provided they have identified themselves to an AirTran Airways gate agent prior the start of general boarding. When general boarding commences,the aircraft will be boarded by zones. AirTran Airways recommends that passengers arrive at the gate at least one hour in advance of the flight.
Back to TopOnline Flight Check-in
AirTran Airways offers Online Flight Check-in at airtran.com. Customers may check in using this service from their computers from 24 hours to 90 minutes prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
Back to TopKiosk Flight Check-In
AirTran Airways offers flight check-in through self-service kiosks at all stations.
Back to TopChanges at the Airport on Day of Travel
Customers have two options for changing to a flight other than their reserved flight at the airport on the day of travel. Based on space availability, customers may reserve a confirmed seat on an earlier flight to the same destination for $49 per person per segment. Or, customers have the option to standby for another flight to the same destination at no charge. These options are only available at the airport on the day of travel.
Back to TopArmed Law Enforcement Officers
Law enforcement officers, under certain limited circumstances, may be allowed to fly armed while traveling on AirTran Airways. They must present a completed Carry-On Firearms Authorization form and meet TSA requirements.
Individuals Authorized to Carry Firearms Onboard Aircraft:
- Federal Law Enforcement Officers who are direct employees of a government agency
- State, Local or County Law Enforcement Officers authorized to carry firearms who are direct employees of a government agency
- Foreign Nationals who are armed escorts of Foreign Dignitaries