AirTran Airways is a low-cost airline that flies to more than 60 cities throughout the United States and the Caribbean. Originally headquartered in Orlando, Florida, its main hubs are in Atlanta and Milwaukee, and its focus cities include Baltimore and Orlando. AirTran's predecessor, ValuJet Airlines, was founded in 1992 by several airline industry veterans, primarily from Southern Airways and Eastern Air Lines. It acquired Airways Corporation in 1997 and renamed itself AirTran Airways. In May of 2011, AirTran was acquired by, and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of, Southwest Airlines. Once the FAA grants approval for the two airlines to fly under a single operating certificate, Southwest will rebrand and retrofit AirTran's fleet. The current plan is to retire the AirTran brand so that AirTran will no longer exist as a stand-alone airline.

Class of Service

AirTran currently offers two classes of service on its flights

• Business Class

Business Class passengers enjoy more legroom, wider seats, two free checked bags, priority boarding and complimentary cocktails.

Southwest has stated that they intend to eliminate AirTran Business Class once the merger is complete and transition Airtran's fleet to Southwest's single class of service.

• Economy Class

Economy Class passengers enjoy complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and XM Satellite Radio.

Food and Drink

All passengers receive complimentary, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. Premium beverages and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.

Entertainment

Free XM Satellite Ratio had been available at every seat on AirTran. Southwest will completely remove XM Satellite from AirTran aircraft in order to maintain a consistent product across the combined fleet and reduce overall aircraft weight.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available on all AirTran flights for a fee via AirCell's Gogo service.

View Air Tran seat maps at SeatGuru.com.

The Fleet

Boeing B717-200

AirTran was the launch customer for the B717 in 1998.

• 117 total seats; 12 Business Class seats and 105 Economy seats
• Business Class has a two-by-two seating configuration while the main cabin is configured in a two-by-three format
• It is likely that AirTran's B717 will eventually be phased out from the combined fleets since Southwest only operates B737s.

Boeing B737-700

• 137 total seats; 12 Business Class seats and 125 Economy seats. AirTran's current cabin configuration will likely be migrated to Southwest's new EVOLVE B737-700 seating configuration with a total of 143 Economy seats.
• Business Class is in a two-by-two seating configuration; the main cabin is in a three-by-three configuration

*Please check SeatGuru for seat map information and recommendations on the best seats for your flight.

Customer Loyalty Program

A+ Rewards is AirTran's frequent flyer loyalty program.

• Earn Rewards credits by flying AirTran.
• Earn additional points by using the A+ Visa Signature card and by using other rental car and hotel partners.
• You can use points for seats and upgrades on AirTran as well as redeem them for an annual companion pass which allows for one companion to travel free on any AirTran flight where the member purchases a ticket.
• Air Tran also allows you to redeem points for flights on any airline as well as for other purposes such as magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
• A+ Rewards credits expire one year after their posting date.
• You can buy, give or transfer A+ Rewards credits for a fee.
• AirTran's A+ Rewards program will become Southwest's Rapid Rewards once Air Tran is folded into Southwest Airlines.