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AirTran Airways

From Alfawiki
AirTran Airways
Company typePublic (until 2011)
IndustryAirline
Founded1993; 33 years ago (1993)
FounderVictor Rivas (co-founder of Conquest Airlines)
DefunctDecember 28, 2014 (2014-12-28)
FateAcquired by Southwest Airlines; operations merged and discontinued
Headquarters
Orlando, Florida
,
United States
Area served
United States (primarily Eastern and Midwestern regions), Caribbean, Mexico
Key people
Robert L. Fornaro (CEO, President, Chairman from 2008)
ProductsPassenger air transport services
Number of employees
8,500
ParentAirTran Holdings (until acquisition by Southwest Airlines in 2011)

AirTran Airways operated as a budget airline within the United States from its inception in 1993 until it was acquired by Southwest Airlines on May 2, 2011.

Based in Orlando, Florida, the airline was originally launched in 1993 under the name Conquest Sun Airlines, established by executives from Destination Sun Airways and Conquest Airlines, with Victor Rivas, co-founder of Conquest, playing a key role in its creation. In 1994, the airline was acquired by AirTran Corporation, rebranded as AirTran Airways, and later became part of the Airways Corporation holding entity.

In 1997, the holding company of ValuJet purchased both the airline and its parent company. Following this acquisition, ValuJet Airlines was merged into AirTran Airways and renamed "AirTran Airlines." The merged organization operated under the umbrella of AirTran Holdings.

Southwest Airlines completed its acquisition of AirTran Airways and AirTran Holdings in 2011, finalizing the integration with AirTran’s last commercial flight on December 28, 2014.

AirTran managed close to 700 flights daily, concentrating primarily on routes within the eastern and midwestern regions of the United States. Its main hub was located at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, with approximately 200 departures each day. The airline's fleet featured Boeing 717-200 aircraft—making it the largest global operator of this model—as well as Boeing 737-700 jets.

Foundation and initial phase

Founded in 1993 under the name Conquest Sun Airlines, AirTran Airways began as a new operator utilizing Boeing 737-200 aircraft based out of Orlando.

The airline’s origins trace back to management teams from Destination Sun Airways and regional carrier Conquest Airlines. Destination Sun’s background is somewhat ambiguous; one account indicates it was founded in 1991 by Guy Lindley, former CEO of Northeastern International Airways, initially named SunExpress in Fort Lauderdale. Another narrative suggests it originated in 1990 through pilots—possibly ex-Eastern Air Lines personnel—who later became part of AirTran. Conquest Airlines was established in Texas in 1988 by Rafael and Victor Rivas, with Victor Rivas also instrumental in founding Conquest Sun Airlines.

In 1994, Minneapolis-based AirTran Corporation, which also owned Mesaba Airlines, acquired the carrier. Mesaba operated feeder services for Northwest Airlines under Northwest Airlink from hubs in Minneapolis and Detroit. Following this acquisition, Conquest Sun Airlines was renamed AirTran Airways, shifted its headquarters to Orlando, and expanded its fleet to 11 Boeing 737s serving 24 destinations mainly across the Eastern and Midwestern U.S., focusing on affordable leisure travel to Orlando.

The following year, AirTran Corporation formed Airways Corporation as a subsidiary to own AirTran Airways. This subsidiary was later spun off as an independent holding company. Subsequently, AirTran Corporation changed its name to Mesaba Holdings to separate itself from AirTran Airways and eventually became MAIR Holdings, which ceased operations in July 2012.

Acquisition details

On July 10, 1997, ValuJet, Inc., which owned the financially troubled ValuJet Airlines, agreed to purchase both AirTran Airways and its parent company, Airways Corporation. After suffering major setbacks including the crashes of ValuJet Flight 597 and ValuJet Flight 592, ValuJet faced significant safety-related reputational issues that jeopardized its survival.

The acquisition of Airways Corporation was finalized on November 17, 1997, making both AirTran Airways and Airways Corporation subsidiaries under ValuJet’s control. The holding company adopted the name AirTran Holdings, Inc., while ValuJet Airlines was renamed AirTran Airlines. Under this structure, AirTran Holdings operated two airlines branded as AirTran: AirTran Airways and AirTran Airlines (the former ValuJet). Although retaining ValuJet’s stock history, the rebranding aimed to distance the company from ValuJet’s troubled reputation. The headquarters relocated to Orlando on January 28, 1998; however, Atlanta remained a vital hub for operations.

By April 1998, AirTran Holdings consolidated its operations by transferring all assets from AirTran Airlines to AirTran Airways and revoking AirTran Airlines’ FAA certificate. The merger was completed by August 1999 when AirTran Airlines fully integrated into AirTran Airways, formally concluding the ValuJet legacy.

Criticism

Although AirTran Airways continued its operations, ValuJet remained the official corporate entity following the merger, with ValuJet's leadership managing the unified airline. SEC filings prior to 1997 were still filed under ValuJet, which caused some confusion since AirTran's management made minimal efforts to clarify this legacy.

The rebranding faced scrutiny; Time magazine referred to it as a "corporate disappearing act," describing how the troubled carrier acquired a smaller competitor and adopted its name. Similarly, the Los Angeles Times reported that ValuJet bought AirTran for $66.3 million in stock and took on its name to distance itself from unfavorable associations.

Interpretations of the Flight 592 disaster varied: The Atlantic characterized it as a "system accident" resulting from operational complexity, whereas commentators like Brian Stimpson contended that complex systems can be safely overseen, pointing to examples such as nuclear power plants and aircraft carriers.

Public mentions of ValuJet’s history were largely avoided by AirTran. On the tenth anniversary of Flight 592, the airline refrained from making significant statements out of respect for those affected by the tragedy.

Turnaround

In January 1999, leadership transitioned to a new executive team headed by Joe Leonard, formerly of Eastern Air Lines, and Robert L. Fornaro from US Airways. They brought in senior leaders including Stephen J. Kolski (Operations), Kevin P. Healy (Planning), and Loral Blinde (Human Resources). Their primary objectives were to restore financial stability, refinance upcoming debt in 2000, enhance operational efficiency, boost revenues, and prepare for the introduction of the Boeing 717. As the launch customer, AirTran would become the largest operator of this model. Leonard’s vision was to guide the company’s revival while promoting an environment of trust and entrepreneurial spirit.

2000s

By 1999, AirTran recorded an operating profit of $30 million.

On August 15, 2001, AirTran’s shares started trading on the New York Stock Exchange with the ticker symbol AAI.

In 2002, the airline introduced a regional service brand called AirTran JetConnect, which was operated by Air Wisconsin.

Following a 2003 order for 100 Boeing 737-700 aircraft, AirTran expanded its routes to include Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport and San Francisco International Airport.

AirTran retired its last McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 on January 5, 2004, leaving a fleet primarily composed of over 70 Boeing 717-200 aircraft. The first Boeing 737-700 entered service in June that year.

Operations under AirTran JetConnect ended in August 2004.

On May 23, 2006, AirTran received one of the final two Boeing 717s produced before Boeing discontinued the model due to low demand.

In November 2007, Robert L. Fornaro was named CEO and president. Joe Leonard remained chairman until June 2008 when Fornaro assumed all three roles: chairman, president, and CEO.

By 2009, AirTran became the first major carrier to equip its entire fleet with Gogo Inflight Internet. The airline also increased service to smaller airports such as Yeager Airport in Charleston, W.V., Asheville Regional Airport, N.C., and Harrisburg International Airport, Pa.

Unsuccessful acquisition attempts

In 2004, AirTran sought to grow its operations at Chicago-Midway Airport by attempting to secure leases for 14 gates previously held by ATA Airlines but was outbid by Southwest Airlines.

AirTran Holdings made a move in December 2006 to purchase Midwest Air Group. However, by August 2007, their offer had lapsed after TPG Capital, in partnership with Northwest Airlines, presented a superior bid. AirTran responded with a revised offer of $16.25 per share, marginally exceeding TPG’s $16 per share. Nonetheless, TPG countered with $17 per share and ultimately secured a binding agreement.

On September 21, 2007, AirTran’s pilot group declined the company’s proposed contract amid shifts in union leadership. By April 2009, a significant majority—87%—of AirTran pilots voted to consolidate their union representation with the larger Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

2010s

AirTran established its second crew base and hub at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee on April 6, 2010.

On July 27, 2010, AirTran unveiled a new $6.9 million System Operations Control (SOC) Center spanning 16,000 square feet at Orlando International Airport. This advanced operations hub managed over 700 daily flights and supported more than 1,000 employees across central Florida facilities, including headquarters and maintenance operations. Despite Atlanta being AirTran’s primary hub, Orlando was chosen as the SOC location.

In October 2010, AirTran introduced a new crew base at Orlando International Airport staffed initially by 100 pilots.

By April 2011, AirTran achieved the top safety record among U.S. airlines based on incident rates per flight, surpassing competitors such as Southwest and US Airways. Aviation experts highlighted the overall strong safety standards across the U.S. airline industry during this period.

Prior to its discontinuation, AirTran operated upwards of 700 daily flights serving over 70 destinations throughout the United States, Caribbean, and Mexico. The airline employed around 8,500 personnel and transported nearly 25 million passengers annually.

Acquisition and phase-out

On September 27, 2010, Southwest Airlines announced its intention to acquire AirTran Airways along with its parent company, AirTran Holdings, for $1.4 billion. This strategic acquisition expanded Southwest’s footprint in critical hubs such as Atlanta—which was then the largest U.S. metropolitan area without Southwest service—and Milwaukee, while also strengthening service at Baltimore and Orlando. The deal brought international routes to popular leisure destinations including Cancún, Montego Bay, and Aruba. Southwest incorporated AirTran’s fleet of Boeing 737-700 aircraft into its own operations and leased out the Boeing 717-200 planes to Delta Air Lines beginning in mid-2013. Both airlines continued to function separately during a planned transition period lasting two years.

The transaction was finalized on May 2, 2011, with a unified operating certificate issued on March 1, 2012. Complete integration of employees was accomplished by 2015.

Starting February 14, 2013, Southwest initiated codesharing arrangements with AirTran. Initially launched on January 25 in five markets, the shared itineraries expanded to an additional 39 markets by February 25 and eventually encompassed all cities served by both airlines by April of that year.

Southwest completed the full merger on December 28, 2014. The final scheduled flight under the AirTran banner—Flight 1—departed from Atlanta to Tampa aboard a Boeing 717-200 using the callsign "Critter," a nod to ValuJet’s first flight which operated on the same route and number.

Corporate affairs

Before being acquired, AirTran maintained its corporate offices in Orlando, Florida. Earlier, until 1994, the company’s headquarters were located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Employee relations

AirTran’s hiring strategy reflected Southwest Airlines’ emphasis on both practical skills and interpersonal abilities. The airline prioritized specialized roles while allowing adaptability to meet daily operational demands. Training programs connected individual contributions to the company’s financial outcomes, with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Destinations

At the moment Southwest announced its intent to acquire AirTran, the airline was operating flights to 69 destinations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and international locations.

Top served cities

Leading cities served by AirTran Airways (As of March 2013)
City Daily departures Number of gates Nonstop destinations Service commenced
Atlanta 171 31 43 1993
Orlando 56 8 23 1993
Baltimore 47 7 15 2001
Milwaukee 30 8 6 2002
Indianapolis 20 4 14 2005
Fort Myers 19 3 13 1997
Tampa 17 3 12 1993
Fort Lauderdale 15 3 7 1993
Washington–National 11 3 3 2003
Pittsburgh 12 2 5 2000
Akron/Canton 10 4 6 1996

Fleet

Prior to its integration into Southwest Airlines, AirTran's fleet reached its maximum size with the following aircraft:

Final AirTran Airways fleet composition
Aircraft type In service Seating capacity Remarks
J Y Total
Boeing 717#717-200 variant 88 12 105 117 'Launch customer' for this model.
All Boeing 717s were leased by Southwest to Delta Air Lines.
Boeing 737 Next Generation#737-700 variant 52 12 125 137
Total 140

AirTran’s Boeing 717 fleet was distinguished by including both the inaugural and final aircraft produced in this series.

Retired or reassigned aircraft

Cabin

AirTran featured a dual-class cabin configuration with Business Class occupying rows 1 through 3, while Economy seating began at row 10. Rows 4 to 9 were omitted, and row 13 was excluded due to superstition.

Livery

AirTran's exterior design showcased a predominantly white fuselage complemented by teal-colored undersides, separated by red and pink stripes that elegantly curved upward toward the tail section. The engine nacelles were painted royal blue and prominently displayed the "airtran.com" web address in white Helvetica font. Positioned above the windows near the cockpit was the "AirTran" logo rendered in teal, while the vertical stabilizer featured a teal background adorned with a white cursive "A."

The airline also introduced special liveries to emphasize various partnerships and marketing campaigns. These included aircraft adorned with themes celebrating Elton John and Danica Patrick, as well as collaborations with the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, which showcased slogans such as "Say YES to Orlando" and "Orlando Makes Me Smile" on Boeing 717 models. Additionally, a livery paid homage to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter located at Universal Orlando.

Sports affiliations were represented through liveries featuring teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Orlando Magic, and Milwaukee Brewers.

On February 12, 2010, AirTran marked Little Debbie's 50th anniversary by unveiling a distinctive Boeing 717 livery named Little Debbie 1.

Incidents and accidents

Summary of ValuJet and AirTran Incidents and Accidents
Flight Date Aircraft Location Description Injuries
Fatal Serious Minor
AirTran Airways 426 May 7, 1998 Douglas DC-9-32 Calhoun, GA The flight crew failed to avoid hazardous weather conditions adequately. Investigations identified previous incidents involving the captain and found airline training on weather avoidance and turbulence communication insufficient. One flight attendant and one passenger sustained serious injuries. 2
AirTran Airways 867 November 1, 1998 Boeing 737-200 Atlanta, GA The aircraft lost control during landing rollout due to an improperly repaired hydraulic line leak, causing it to skid off the runway and the main gear to end up in a drainage ditch. 13
AirTran Airways 913 August 8, 2000 Douglas DC-9-32 Greensboro, NC An in-flight fire accompanied by smoke in the cockpit necessitated an emergency landing. The subsequent evacuation led to minor injuries among passengers and crew. The airplane was ultimately written off due to extensive damage. 13
AirTran Airways 956 November 29, 2000 Douglas DC-9-32 Atlanta, GA Following circuit breaker trips and smoke detected in the cabin, an emergency landing was performed. Passengers suffered minor injuries during evacuation. The aircraft incurred significant damage and was removed from service. 13
AirTran Airways 67 January 20, 2002 Douglas DC-9-32 Washington D.C. While starting engines on an icy ramp prior to pushback, the aircraft unexpectedly lurched forward and struck a tug vehicle. Repairs were completed; the incident was attributed to insufficient operator guidance regarding icy conditions.
AirTran Airways 356 March 26, 2003 Boeing 717 New York City, NY A failure of the left power control unit prompted an emergency landing at LaGuardia Airport followed by evacuation. One passenger sustained serious injury; numerous others had minor injuries during evacuation. The aircraft experienced minor damage. 1 22
AirTran Airways 527 November 10, 2006 Boeing 717 Memphis, TN During taxiing, the plane veered into a grass median causing collapse of the nose gear after striking a drainage ditch. The incident was linked to inadequate visual monitoring by the captain despite appropriate taxiway lighting.


See also

External links

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