AirTran's unacceptable flight problems and rude customer service

Origination City: Akron/Canton (OH)

On Sunday, May 27, 2007 I boarded a flight in Akron/Canton to Atlanta

then to Jacksonville, FL. My flight was to depart at 10:12am and arrive

in Atlanta at 11:53am. AirTran delayed the flight and passengers had to

board a new plane. This flight left Akron/Canton at 11:00am and we

arrived in Atlanta at 12:23pm. This delay caused me to miss my

connecting flight to Jacksonville resulting in a 6 1/2 hr layover in

Atlanta. I approached customer service and have never been treated so

rudely. I am a frequent traveler and found AirTran's customer service

and its passenger treatment to be unacceptable. In my 25 years of

flying (at least once per month), I've never experienced such horrible

service. In Akron/Canton we were told that Atlanta was well aware of

our delay and would make accommodations for us. The man at the flight

door in Akron/Canton also said they would hold the flight for us.

Additionally, two flight attendees said they would hold the flight in

Atlanta. We arrived only to find that the flight to Jacksonville had

departed. Not only did I miss an entire day of important activities

planned at my final destination, I was lied to by three of AirTran's

staff. This was my first experience with AirTran and I can't help but

think it may have been the last for me, my staff, family and colleagues.

I received an email response from AirTran's customer service

representative. Basically we're sorry you were unhappy, we met our

obligation, but I can give you $50 towards another AirTran flight within

one year.

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