AirTran U - Home of the Really Cheap Standby Flight

- AirTran Airways Gives Young Travelers a Break from the Books with Low Fares -

ORLANDO, Fla. , Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), has announced that it will open registration for its third year of the AirTran U standby travel program for young travelers. Now college students can visit family or friends and still have money left over for next semester's textbooks.

AirTran U is the best college deal around - all applicants between the ages of 18 and 22 are cleared for travel on a standby-only basis to any of the 58 cities AirTran Airways currently serves (excludes Cancun, Mexico and San Juan, Puerto Rico ) for a fare of just $69* per short-haul segment, or $99* per long-haul segment of travel. To participate, travelers simply select the destination, dates and times they want to travel and arrive at the AirTran Airways counter no fewer than two hours before the scheduled time of departure. AirTran U passengers can also earn 1/2 A+ Rewards credits** per completed trip. Visit http://www.aplusrewards.com to become an A+ Rewards member.

"Whether they are visiting a friend or heading home for the weekend, students and young vacationers can save money on flights with AirTran U," said Tad Hutcheson , vice president of marketing and sales for AirTran Airways. "Our airline understands the tight budgets these young travelers face, and we are pleased to offer them the same outstanding, friendly service and comfortable aircraft at an affordable price."

Application Requirements and Fees:

-- Travelers must be 18 to 22 years of age -- Travelers must present valid, government-issued photo identification -- For placement on a standby list, travelers must arrive at the AirTran Airways ticket counter no fewer than two hours prior to the flight's scheduled departure -- Reservations cannot be made in advance -- To earn A+ Rewards credits, travelers must present their A+ Rewards membership card at the ticket counter -- Short-haul segments cost $69 per segment (defined as one takeoff and landing) -- Long-haul segments cost $99 per segment (Flights to/from San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Denver, Seattle and Phoenix are considered long-haul segments) -- The per-segment taxes of $3.50 are not included -- Airport Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18 per segment are not included -- The September 11th security fee of up to $10 per segment is not included

Travel Guidelines:

-- AirTran U travelers are permitted one carry-on item and one personal item, and luggage cannot be checked -- The AirTran U program is for coach class only, and AirTran U travelers' seats are not confirmed -- If a coach seat is available after the final boarding call, it will be given to an AirTran U traveler on standby -- Service to Cancun, Mexico and San Juan, Puerto Rico is not included in the AirTran U program

Application Tips:

-- Travelers will have better luck getting a flight on off-peak days like Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday -- Certain holiday blackout dates apply (see below) -- All travel must be completed by Dec. 17, 2009

The following dates are blacked out for travel in 2009: January 4 ; February 13 , 16; April 3-5 , 9-10, 19; May 22 , 25; June 21 , 26, 28; July 3 , 5, 12; November 25 , 28-30; December 18 - 31 . All travel must be completed by December 17, 2009 . Visit http://www.AirTranU.com for additional information.

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), a Fortune 1000 company, is ranked number one in the 2008 Airline Quality Rating study. The airline offers coast-to-coast flights, North America's newest all-Boeing fleet, friendly service and Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit http://www.airtran.com.

AirTran U: * All AirTran U fares, taxes and fees are per segment. Fares do not include per-segment taxes of $3.60, Airport Passenger Facility Charges of up to $4.50 per segment, and September 11th security fee of $2.50 per segment. A segment is defined as one takeoff and one landing.

A+ Rewards: ** A+ Rewards seats are subject to availability and blackout dates. Taxes and fees are extra -- the September 11th security fee of up to $2.50 per segment is not included. A segment is defined as one takeoff and one landing. Passengers traveling to/from Puerto Rico are subject to additional government taxes of up to $32.20. Fares to/from Cancun do not include additional government taxes of up to $100.

Media Contact: AirTran Airways Tad Hutcheson Judy Graham-Weaver Cynthia Tinsley-Douglas 678.254.7442

SOURCE AirTran Airways