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UPDATE: Important Information from Southwest First, there was Aloha Airlines. Now, it’s ATA Airlines‘ turn. ATA has discontinued all flights, all operations, effective NOW. If you have tickets with ATA, check their website, but a quick read of their FAQ’s indicates you’re on your own and will have to make alternate flight arrangements at your own expense. There is an exception: Did you purchase your ATA ticket through the carrier’s code-share partner, Southwest? If so, Southwest IS going to help. Click “more” for the details. |
According to a press release sent out by Southwest Airlines, the carrier and (until now) code-share partner of ATA said, “Southwest immediately implemented a plan to take care of all customers who purchased a ticket on Southwest and are scheduled to travel on ATA service by rebooking them on a new itinerary closest to their previous travel plans, or offering a full refund for any unused portion of a ticket.”
Southwest has set up a “help” area on their website with more details, and they now have a special toll free number for immediate concerns: 1-800-308-5037.
If you didn’t get your ticket from Southwest, but did pay with a credit card, check with the credit card company to see if the purchase fell within the “dispute” window; if so, see if you are entitled to credit for the ticket purchase
The Federal Trade Commission has a consumer information site dealing with such card disputes, and Bankrate.com has a section on its site called, “How to Dispute a Credit Card Bill.”
ATA, based out of Indianapolis, began in 1973 as a commercial and charter airline that did a lot of business with the U.S. military.
This is the third time the carrier has filed for bankruptcy since 2004; the company blamed this filing on the “loss of a key contract for our military charter business.”
Skybus goes out of business and also cancels all flights (www.skybus.com). What’s a passenger to do? I had 3 trips booked with them over the coming months, one of which is in the next 2 weeks.
Comment by Ryan — April 5, 2008 @ 1:25 am
I also had Skybus tickets purchased. In fact, I bought 2 one way tickets the night before their big announcement. How was that fair? How do I tell my granddaughters that our trip is not to be?
Comment by Kate M Smith — April 9, 2008 @ 7:08 pm
Aloha! I am disabeled and live on my social security disability check once a month,and it isn’t very much,but after saving for so long ,I finally saved enough to buy my caregiver and I a ticket to my nieces wedding and my parents # 60 yr. anniversary.I was so happy because I was able to pay for my tickets on my bank debit and credit card six months in advance,I was so heart broken thinking that I can’t go..and the thought of loosing the money frightens me.I filed a claim with the bank and with ATA airlines,I was suppose to hear from them today but of course I haven’t,…heard anything as of this minute.Is there anything that you could do to help me? I paid $!,100.00 to traveloscity for my tickets and haven’t been able to find another fare for this price,I just don’t know what to do…I was suppose to be there July !8,and return back home Aug.23.What can I do? Thank you so much for your time. Please help me. Ana M. Dominguez
Comment by Ana M.Dominguez — April 10, 2008 @ 1:57 am
There is a ton of information on the web about what to do when airlines go out of business. Read the FTC article and read the bankrate.com article.
Comment by Joe — April 10, 2008 @ 6:37 am