ORLANDO , Fla., July 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI) today announced that it has accepted delivery of its 50th Boeing 737-700 aircraft. The plane, ship number 349 and registration number N331AT, departed Miami , Fla., on Flight 511 at 10:32 a.m. and arrived in Atlanta , Ga., at 12:28 p.m. To commemorate this milestone, the airline designed and applied a gold medallion decal to the aircraft next to the passenger loading door so travelers will know when they board the 50th aircraft.
The aircraft is the newest addition to AirTran Airways' fleet, which is composed of 50 Boeing 737-700 and 87 Boeing 717-200 planes for a total of 137 aircraft. Together, the planes make up the youngest all-Boeing fleet in America. AirTran Airways placed its original order for 100 Boeing 737s in July 2003, taking its first delivery in June 2004. The low-cost carrier placed an additional order for 15 more Boeing 737 aircraft in May 2007, delivery of which will be completed in 2012.
The Boeing 737-700 seats 137 passengers, with 12 in Business Class. The aircraft include AirTran Airways' signature two-by-two award-winning Business Class and three-by-three Coach seats. The Boeing 737 also features Easy Fit overhead bins with plenty of storage space for passengers' carry-on bags. The aircraft is one of the world's most popular and reliable jet aircraft in its class, effectively using the latest in technological advancements to allow the airline to save on fuel, extend its range, carry more payload and reduce engine maintenance costs.
"AirTran Airways continues to grow steadily, adding both new jobs and new aircraft," said Joe Leonard, chairman and CEO for AirTran Airways. "The addition of our 50th Boeing 737 is an important milestone, and we look forward to adding many more new planes in the future."
"For this airline to have taken 50 Next-Generation 737s in less than three years speaks both to the success of AirTran Airways and the positive contribution of Boeing products to an airline's bottom line," said Ray Conner ,vice president, sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
AirTran Airways, a Fortune 1000 company, offers passengers more than 700 affordable, daily flights to 56 destinations throughout the United States. The airline is the second-largest carrier at its hub, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and one of America's largest low-fare airlines. With more than 8,800 friendly Crew Members and free online booking onhttp://www.airtran.com, AirTran Airways makes travel both pleasant and convenient. The airline flies America's youngest all-Boeing fleet, composed ofthe fuel-efficient Boeing 737-700 and 717-200 aircraft. AirTran Airways was also the first to install XM Satellite Radio on a commercial aircraft and the only airline with Business Class seating on every flight. For more information, visit http://www.airtran.com.
Media Contacts: Tad Hutcheson [email protected] 678.254.7442 Judy Graham-Weaver [email protected] 678.254.7448SOURCE AirTran Airways
