Southwest Airlines and AirTran jets(Photo: WXIA)



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ATLANTA (WXIA) -- It was billed as a move that would benefit air travelers in Atlanta. Some travelers say they're disappointed. Everyone remembers the cheers in 2011 when Southwest Airlines and AirTran became one.





It was billed as a move that would benefit air travelers in Atlanta. Some travelers say they're disappointed. Everyone remembers the cheers in 2011 when Southwest Airlines and AirTran became one. 11Alive News




The merger held the promise of more discount flights from Atlanta and cheaper tickets.


At one time, Joe Leader was AirTran's number one frequent flier. Now that AirTran and Southwest are one airline. Leader is using the airline less frequently.


"Unfortunately, as the number of flights have diminished, the fares have gone up and up and up," he said.


At one time, AirTran had more than 200 flights out of Atlanta. Joining with Southwest held the promise of even more discount flights. Instead, there are less – down to 142.


Meanwhile, the average ticket price out of Atlanta has gone up 5.2 percent, according to the US Department of Transportation.


Travel experts say the merger is just a small part of that price jump, with higher oil prices, an improved economy and fewer airlines also adding to the mix.


Southwest says they cut flights leaving Atlanta that carried only a handful of Atlanta-based travelers. While those flights may have been full, they carried mostly connecting passengers who came from other cities.


It means change for at least one longtime AirTran customer.


"I'm having to turn to Delta more often," said Leader. "And it's disappointing."


A spokesperson for Southwest says the airline it trying to make it easier for travelers with larger planes and more convenient travel times, insists the merger with AirTran is evolving.


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