AirTran Airways facts for kids

A former AirTran Boeing 737

AirTran was a low-cost American airline formerly known as ValuJet. It's hub was in Atlanta, Georgia and it operated routes throughout the Americas.

History

ValuJet's first flight was in 1993. In 1996, ValuJet Flight 592, a DC-9 aircraft, crashed into the Everglades shortly after takeoff from Miami International Airport, after a fire on board. 110 people died in the crash. The NTSB blamed Valujet's maintenance contractor, SabreTech for improper maintenance.

After the large amount of negative publicity surrounding this tragedy, ValuJet suffered serious financial problems and nearly went bankrupt. It merged with a smaller airline called AirTran and assumed its name in 1997.

After management turnover and some replacement of older airplanes, AirTran appears to have turned around financially and has become profitable, even in the very difficult business environment encountered by all U.S. airlines since the September 11 Attacks.

In 2011, AirTran merged with Southwest Airlines. The merger was completed in 2014 and the AirTran name was no longer used.

Gallery

Images for kids

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  An AirTran Boeing 737-200 in the original livery at Orlando International Airport

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  AirTran received the last Boeing 717 built in 2006

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  An AirTran 737-700 which the airline continued to receive until the acquisition by Southwest

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  An AirTran Airways Boeing 717-200 landing at BWI Airport

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  An AirTran Boeing 737-700

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  Ryan International Airlines operated Airbus A320 jets for AirTran on new flights to the U.S. west coast prior to AirTran receiving new Boeing 737-700 aircraft

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  AirTran plane at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport

See also

In Spanish: AirTran Airways para niños