Introduction
AirTran Airways was a major low-cost carrier that operated in the United States from 1993 to 2014. It was a pioneer in the low-cost airline industry and was one of the first carriers to offer consumers the opportunity to purchase their flights through the internet. At its peak, AirTran was flying to more than 70 cities in the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. It was also the first airline to offer Wi-Fi on every flight. So what happened to AirTran? This article will explore the history of AirTran Airways, the rise and fall of the airline, and discuss the fate of the company.
The History of AirTran Airways
AirTran Airways began operations in 1993 as ValuJet, a low-cost carrier based in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1997, ValuJet merged with the regional airline AirWise, and changed its name to AirTran Airways. From there, the airline grew rapidly. It acquired several smaller airlines, including Midwest Express, which allowed it to expand its route network. By 2000, AirTran was the 10th-largest airline in the United States.
The Rise and Fall of AirTran
For a few years, AirTran was a successful airline. It had strong customer loyalty and a well-developed route network. However, the airline began to struggle in the early 2000s due to increasing competition from other low-cost carriers, such as Southwest Airlines and JetBlue. Furthermore, the airline was unable to successfully compete with larger airlines, such as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
In 2010, AirTran was acquired by Southwest Airlines. This was seen as a strategic move by Southwest, as it allowed the airline to expand its route network in the east, while at the same time eliminating AirTran as a competitor.
What Happened to AirTran?
After the acquisition, AirTran’s operations were slowly integrated into Southwest’s. By 2014, all AirTran flights had been converted to Southwest flights and the AirTran brand was retired. The merger was seen as a success for Southwest, as the airline was now able to operate in more markets and had a larger route network than before.
Today, AirTran is no longer an independent airline. Its routes and destinations are operated by Southwest Airlines, and the AirTran brand is all but forgotten. However, AirTran’s legacy lives on in the form of Southwest. The merger of the two airlines was a crucial moment in the history of Southwest, as it allowed the airline to expand its operations and gain a better foothold in the market.
Conclusion
AirTran Airways was a major low-cost carrier that operated in the United States from 1993 to 2014. At its peak, AirTran had a strong presence in the US market and was flying to more than 70 cities. However, the airline struggled to compete with larger carriers, and was eventually acquired by Southwest Airlines in 2010. Today, all AirTran flights are operated by Southwest and the AirTran brand is no longer in use. Although AirTran is no longer an independent airline, its legacy lives on in the form of Southwest Airlines.
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