Airtran to make large Boeing order.....

[General Lee]

I just read that Boeing may have edged out Airbus for the next Airtran order--about 100 single isle 737's---both -700 and -800 versions. Good for Airtran. Now, where are they going to fly them? ATL doesn't have the room. I guess they could find another hub, like COS. Maybe they could move the 717's to MCO, and have ATL an all 737 operation. I just don't think Delta is going to give up any gates, and the ATL airport authority likes Delta---they always pay their bills on time. This will get interesting.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[ATR-DRIVR]

Are you saying that AirTran and others are not?

 

[Citrus Jockey]

Looks like it may be official!!!



Boeing Likely to Obtain 100-Plane !!!
Order From AirTran
Monday June 30, 5:22 pm ET
By J. Lynn Lunsford and Nicole Harris, Staff Reporters of The Wall Street Journal


DALLAS -- Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA - News) has emerged as the likely winner in a competition to snag a 100-airplane order from AirTran Airways .
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According to people familiar with the deal, Boeing edged out rival Airbus to supply the rapidly growing low-cost carrier with 100 of its single-aisle Boeing 737s that the airline plans to use for longer-haul routes.

The deal is worth about $6 billion at list prices. It includes 50 firm orders for 737-700s and 737-800s, as well as options for another 50 more.

Spokesmen for the airline and the manufacturers declined to comment on the pending decision. AirTran spokesman Tad Hutcheson said the carrier's board of directors was meeting to finalize the decision Monday night in preparation for a Tuesday announcement in Atlanta.

The order is expected to be one of the biggest of the year and was considered by both Boeing and Airbus to be a "must-win."

For Boeing, it meant retaining its position as the sole supplier for AirTran. Airbus, on the other hand, was hoping to make serious inroads into another low- cost carrier in the U.S. So far, JetBlue Airways Corp. (NasdaqNM:JBLU - News) is the only low- cost carrier in the U.S. to fly a fleet of Airbus A320s; the rest rely on the Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV - News) model of operating Boeing's workhorse 737s.

Mr. Hutcheson said AirTran planned to add longer-haul planes to its fleet in order to compete more effectively against other carriers. "We need to be able to fly anywhere we want to go ... we need the flexibility of the range and we need additional capacity," he added.

For AirTran, the new jets will further the discount carrier's growth strategy, helping it to compete vigorously with rivals Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSEAL - News) and other low-fare carriers such as Southwest Airlines.

AirTran needs the bigger jets to operate longer-haul routes such as coast-to- coast flying. The carrier recently launched service from its Atlanta hub to West Coast cities such as Denver, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. But the carrier's Boeing 717s, with about 117 seats, can't fly such long routes. AirTran, is currently leasing two Airbus 320 jets from Wichita, Kansas-based Ryan International Airlines to operate flights between Los Angeles and Atlanta.

AirTran is one of the few U.S. carriers making money. The airline is benefiting from its lower costs as well as consumers eager to purchase cheaper plane tickets amid a slow economy.

The company posted first-quarter net income of $2 million, or three cents a share, compared with a year-earlier net loss of $3 million, or four cents a share. Revenue jumped 31% to $208 million from $159.3 million.

-By J. Lynn Lunsford and Nicole Harris; The Wall Street Journal; 214-951-7113

 

[gnelson]

While I'm sure the City of Atlanta likes Delta they have been trying to lure another major carrier to Hartsfield since Eastern went under. It makes airfares much more competitive. It looks like Airtran will end up being that major. Expect the City to do everything they can to help them succeed.

 

[General Lee]

gnelson,

Like what? Building more terminals? When? Where? Delta AIN'T
(with a Southern drawl) giving up NOTHIN. Take a look at the difference in gates---it is huge. I guess they could get some in the E Concourse, but I think the city likes Delta 777's and 767-ER's there. And we do have Airtran and Jetblue to thank for spurring on our managment to compete with them to the LA Basin---we will have 20 flights daily (all big iron---764s, 763s, and 757s). Yeah, the fares may be a little lower, but we make up for it with volume of seats. How did we get the extra gates to add service? We just moved airplanes around, and a lot of the 757's that used to fly through ATL are now doing Song.

ATRdrvr,

Some airlines do not pay the bills--like UAL. I am sure Airtran does, but even the city of DEN has tried to lure Delta to make another hub at DEN if UAL fails. They know that Delta will pay.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Heavy Set]

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to fly the 737NG, but I would definitely prefer the Airbus on the longer transcon flights - you need the wider flight deck on flights over 3 hours. Plus, the side sticks are really cool - I'd rather have more room in front of me...

Either way, the Airtran guys and gals win!!!! I hope something is "officially" announced soon...

 

[avrodriver]

Maybe General or someone else more familiar with ATL can clue us in, but the other day on the crew bus an AirTran guy said that all that construction on the other side of 285 is all the airports doing in leveling land for an additional runway and possibly a new terminal for AirTran.....I too am very curious to see where the heck the room to expand is going to come as you have said before I can't really figure out where we are going to put more of the JetConnect CRJ's which 5 more are supposed to show up by Nov. Anyone? AD

p.s. Airtran is having a press party tomorrow at 11:30am EST so I suppose the final word will be let out then on the order

 

[FLB717]

Simple, the new concourse in ATL fromwhat the ATL Airport people have is to be Airtrans (40 gates) and we are growing in other places besides ATL (BWI, PHL, MCO, soon DFW) and heading west. ATL is NOT the only city in the US. . Oh and i forgot we hired almost 200 this year and 200 next? That would almost double our size in two years.

 

[General Lee]

When is this other terminal supposed to be finshed again? I know they are building another runway, but where is the terminal going to be located?

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[IAHERJ]

I don't think the new terminal will be ready for several years as it obviously hasn't even broken ground. That being said, I don't see AAI using more than about 5 737's out of ATL anyway as most of the new cities in need of longer haul routes in the AAI system are MCO/PHL/BWI etc to the West Coast. I don't see any major growth in ATL until the new terminal is completed. It is not in AAI's master plan to operate a major hub city anyway. That's why we make money, we find niches in point to point markets and provide good service in the process. To even think that we could compete with Delta in a hub system out of ATL is crazy and I don't think you'll find any AAI employee on this site who even wants to try. Our growth will be in other places so the pissing match over gates etc in ATL can come to an end anytime.

BYE BYE,

IAHERJ

 

[Cardinal]

Official at 9:20 EST

AirTran Airways Announces Order for 100 Boeing 737 Aircraft
7/1/2003 9:20:00 AM
ORLANDO, Fla., Jul 1, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (AAI), today announced at a press conference at Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport that the airline has placed an order for 100 new Boeing 737-700 and -800 series aircraft - of which 50 are firm orders and 50 are options. At the same time, the airline placed an additional order for up to 10 Boeing 717 aircraft.

The Boeing 737 aircraft will be powered by CFM56-7B engines produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma Moteurs of France and General Electric Company. The environmentally friendly CFM56 engines meet all current (Stage 3) and planned (Stage 4) noise restrictions with significant margin and provide exceptionally low emissions levels. The engines are also among the most reliable flying today with 99.97 percent departure reliability.

By the end of this year, AirTran Airways' fleet will be comprised of 73 Boeing 717 aircraft. With this new Boeing order, plus the options for additional future deliveries, the airline's current fleet will more than double by 2008. The first aircraft delivery is scheduled for summer 2004 with additional deliveries to follow at a rate of approximately one per month thereafter and continue into 2008.

The aircraft deal, reached after weeks of negotiations, will be a combination lease-purchase agreement. The airline will purchase some Boeing 737 aircraft from Boeing and will lease some 737 aircraft from GECAS, General Electric's aviation leasing company. This is the second new aircraft order the airline has placed in its nine-year history. In 1995, the airline served as the launch customer for the Boeing 717 aircraft and was the youngest airline in history to serve as a launch customer for a new aircraft type.

"Building on our long-standing partnership with Boeing, this aircraft order ensures that AirTran Airways is poised to move into the next stage as one of the country's major carriers," said Joe Leonard, AirTran Airways' chairman and chief executive officer. "The Boeing 737 is a phenomenal airplane. We're confident that these new aircraft will produce consistent operating results, building on the efficiency and reliability of our 717 fleet, thus reducing our costs and allowing us to pass the savings on to our customers."

"The combination of unbeatable operating efficiencies and Boeing's outstanding customer service will help AirTran Airways continue to set the standard for quality, low-fare business and leisure travel, something that is sure to please our customers, Crew Members and investors, alike," added Leonard.

"A great complement to our current fleet of 717s, the 737s will be well-suited to serve our route network and also will allow AirTran Airways to compete more vigorously in the longer-haul or transcontinental U.S. markets," said Robert L. Fornaro, AirTran Airways' president and chief operating officer. "With the increased flexibility and greater range of the 737s, AirTran Airways will be positioned to offer our high-quality, high-value product to markets across the U.S. continuing the low fares and award-winning customer service that have made us an industry leader."

The Boeing 737-700 aircraft will be equipped in a two-class configuration which includes the airline's signature two-by-two award-winning Business Class and three-by-three Coach seats. Similar to the Boeing 717, the Boeing 737 aircraft will feature EasyFit overhead bins with plenty of storage space for passengers' carry-on bags.

 

[AAflyer]

AirTran Guys and Gals,

Congrats on the Boeing order!!!!!! I feel is a better product!!! I have a couple years and 1000+ in the 737-800. You will love it!! Great airplane, flys fast, lands nice, and performs verywell.

Just think, they are going to all have that new car smell!!!

AAflyer

 

[CaptElmo]

AirTran's Boeing Order

I just saw on Boeing's website a computer generated picture of an AirTran B-737-700 and noticed that it had winglets on it. I'm just wondering if AirTran's aircraft are going to be fitted with them or Boeing's PR people wanted to show it that way?? That picture looked gorgeous and I can't wait to see one !!!

 

[Citrusflyer]

Winglets

From what I've heard the winglets will be on both the -700 and -800. The picutre is the "real thing".

 

[BigFlyr]

Glad to see that AirTran is staying with a Boeing (US) product!
Now, does anyone have a friggin' clue as to how to get hired there???

 

[AFcitrus]

For all of you that didn't listen to the webcast discussion of the announcement this morning there were some things that I caught that I think are noteworthy:

1) The order is for 737 -700's but if the company gives Boeing a 15 month heads-up they can change to an -800 model.

2) 50 firm orders and 50 options. Of the 50 firm, most of the initial planes will be leased from GECAS. The airplanes bought straight from Boeing will be phased in later in the order.

3) AirTran bought the rights to an onboard entertainment system, although I couldn't tell if the initial airplanes will have the system or not.

4) No new base is planned for two years or so, and then it will probably be "east of the Mississippi".

5) Joe Leonard made mention a couple of times about the possibility of using the aircraft on Canada, Mexico and Carribean routes.

6) AirTran will stick with its no food policy and take out the aft galley on the airplanes in order to fit an extra row of seats (6 seats) in the back.

7) We are planning on 25% growth anually over the next several years. I've heard we typically hire about 11 new pilots for each new airplane.


Those are the big things that I caught while listening to the webcast. Looks like I'll finally be able to put that $7000 737 type rating to some good use.

Cheers

 

[~~~^~~~]

Like what? Building more terminals? When? Where? Delta AIN'T (with a Southern drawl) giving up NOTHIN.

General Lee - what are you talking about? How about gates D22 through D27 and the gates in the E18 area? "Delta" by your definition of Delta has given up half a concourse in the last year, as much as Airtran's entire ATL operation. The thing is ASA's growth in ATL is over. Delta had better scale back mainline operations fairly quick, or my guess ASA will eventually abandon gates that cost over $15,000 to sub lease. That is expensive parking for mothballed E120's.

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

Here's the diagram of ATL expansion...it is subject to some changes, but will most likelly end up looking close to that.

http://www.atlmasterplan.com/figure_6_1.htm

And here's the time table for the project

http://www.atlanta-airport.com/defa...rport.com/sublevels/airport_info/timeline.htm

 

[FLB717]

General some times you have good info, other times I swear your (Southern drawl) "Smokin Crack" I dont know how you see things the way you do? The new terminal is to go between 9L and the new runway. By the way at the press release of the 737 both the Mayor and Airport manger made pledge to support AirTrans growth in ATL with MORE gates. Get the full story before you tell me how greta DAL is and etc... Ok, now you can tell me Im wrong , full of it etc. Good flying.

 

[crashpad]

Just looking at some stock trends, it appears Air Trans' will be worth more than Deltas by the end of the month.