AirTran announces new service to Key West

[Eagle757shark]

AirTran Airways Announces New Service to Key West, Fla.

- Airline Will Bring Full-Sized Jets and Low Fares to Vacation Paradise -

• Press Release
• Source: AirTran Airways
• On Wednesday September 9, 2009, 7:00 am EDT

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI - News), today announced plans to begin service to Key West, Fla., beginning on December 17, 2009. The airline will provide the only full-sized, commercial jet access to the island by using its Boeing 737-700s to fly nonstop from Orlando while offering same plane service from Atlanta.
This announcement marks the first time a major, low-cost carrier will provide scheduled service to the southernmost point in the United States.
"Key West is one of the destinations that is most requested by customers in our hometown of Orlando and across our network, " said Kevin Healy, senior vice president, marketing and planning for AirTran Airways. "We are thrilled to add the Conch Republic to the AirTran network."
Passengers from around AirTran Airways' network will be able to easily connect to Key West via the non-stop flight from Orlando or via direct, same plane service from Atlanta.
"Offering our passengers the ability to change planes only once from almost any point in our network to Key West is a real benefit," said Healy.
AirTran Airways offers more destinations from Orlando than any other airline, including other recently announced flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Nassau, Bahamas.

 

[mamba20]

That should be an interesting runway analysis. . . . whats V1 going to be? 50 knots?

 

[B-atch]

Back in the 80's Eastern Airlines flew a 727-100 into Key West. 737-800...NO Problem.......

 

[gt1900]

737-700 will even be better! ;-)

 

[relief tube]

maybee now airtran mgmt will fire crews just for walking down Duval St in uniform.

 

[slaquer5]

Back in the 80's Eastern Airlines flew a 727-100 into Key West. 737-800...NO Problem.......

Yep we did , and the 737 could easily do it.

 

[CA1900]

4801-foot runway? Should be interesting. The 727 would have better numbers because it's a 3-engine jet. I'd be surprised if a 737-700 wasn't seriously weight-restricted out of there, even just going to ATL.

 

[B52GUNNER]

Doing the ASR into there is gonna be fun with the Navy Key West Approach controllers, that cant figure out how to get you in. I love it when it gets a little cloudy there and they start having you hold because of the "volume of flights" THen Miami Center takes control and you get right in.

 

[humveedriver]

4801-foot runway? Should be interesting. The 727 would have better numbers because it's a 3-engine jet. I'd be surprised if a 737-700 wasn't seriously weight-restricted out of there, even just going to ATL.

Look again. Direct flight out MCO. Same airplane with "stop" out of ATL. I think the 2 vs. 3 engine numbers are a bigger factor for climb gradients (obstacles at runway end, mountains). I am curious if we will be required to use full TO power and max landing autobrakes. I am sure a "memo" will provide us with all the pertinent safety information.

 

[CA1900]

Ah, didn't realize it was just to MCO; that should mean a pretty light fuel load, which will definitely help!

 

[CesnaCaptn]

I'd be surprised if a 737-700 wasn't seriously weight-restricted out of there, even just going to ATL.

For what it's worth, the press release says the flight is serving ATL via MCO.

 

[gutshotdraw]

It's still going to be pretty "sporty." Ask any of the Coasties that flew there regularly about the offshore breeze that switches to onshore breeze right over the fence. I experienced that once myself. At least the O 2 masks didn't drop.

 

[DieselDragRacer]

Sweet! Time to load up the dive gear and cash in some of my A+ Rewards!

Sure the hell beats flying into Miami and driving to the Keys.

Great job AirTran!

 

[Colonel Savage]

Flew the F-28 in and out of there long time ago, don't remember anything unusal, except some of the locals.

 

[DieselDragRacer]

Flew the F-28 in and out of there long time ago, don't remember anything unusal, except some of the locals.

Ain't that the truth. LOL

 

[Colonel Savage]

It's an experiment in diversity, to say the least.

 

[Headfake14]

I'm surprised that noone was doing MCO-EYW. I think there used to be.

I think ASA still goes down there from ATL...usually was the -700 out of ATL. Did the -200 with 40 seats a few times. I never got the chance. But it was a Capt only landing if I remember right...not sure about the takeoff......too many moons ago.

 

[Minimaniac]

I always thought the taxi was the most challenging part of Key West. Those are some narrow taxiways, and there are only 3 turn ins to the ramp that will accomodate the 737...better hope Gulfstream did a good parking job so as not to block your way in! Also, going out past the GA ramp can be tight, especially when they park the King Air 300's right up against the grass.

Have fun!

 

[at7driver]

stopping isnt the issue, like you mention those narrow taxiways and entrances are interesting.. ya asa still runs the 700 down there. used to be a nice old school type terminal.. they have a new terminal now, well an addition to the old one. too bad it was fun going into one of the few old florida terminals..

 

[BoilerUP]

Air Wisconsin flew in there the last few winters in the CRJ-200, coming from and going to both MCO and FLL. 40-45 pax and bags to MCO was possible, if you didn't have an alternate and took every knot of headwind for takeoff into account...landing with a hair over 2000lb fuel.

ASA was flying CR7s to/from ATL at the time; talking to the ramp agents there they said the 700 could take 70 people between ATL & EYW all day long. Freedom was also doing MCO-EYW in a E145.

IIRC, wet runway landing numbers were the most restrictive...with Marathon as an alternate and Navy Key West as an emergency divert option.