What the ATA bankruptcy means to you

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ATA, which has been in a death spiral for a while, has gone under. The discounter canceled all flights after filing for bankruptcy and posted advisories on its website and at ticket counters.

The troubled airline halted its Logan flights a while ago, but it struck a code-share deal in February 2005 with Southwest, which flies out of Providence, Hartford, and Manchester. This meant you could book flights for either airline from either airline and you could be booked on connecting flights using both.

Confusing, yes?

Now the big question: What does this mean to me? If you recently booked flights through Southwest, either for all ATA service of a combination of the two, SWA is probably trying to reach you right now to rebook. Most of the combination flights would likely involve flights through Las Vegas, L.A., Oakland, or Phoenix to Hawaii. If that's you and you haven't heard from Southwest yet, you can call them at 800-308-5037.

If you booked either a straight ATA flight or a combo through ATA, sit down and pour yourself a drink because you're not having a good day. You no longer have travel plans and you'll have to contact your credit card company for reimbursement.

Southwest officials were still sorting through the wreckage so they weren't sure how many passengers may be affected in the region. But all you care about it whether it's you. So now you know.
(By Paul S. Makishima, Globe staff)