AirTran?

[PositiveRate]

I was in Atlanta the other day, and I could have sworn that I saw an Airbus painted in Airtran colors....does anybody know anything about this?

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

That was a RyanAir plane, flown by RyanAir pilots. They have a contract w/ Airtran to fly to 2 destinations from ATL out West. I believe they are A-320s. Apparently, the 717s are not up for the West coast trip.

Cliff
DTW

PS-RyanAir flies for a lot of different companies under various contracts. I believe they are hiring pilots now.

 

[flx757]

Just so there's no confusion, the AirTran A-320s are operated on a wet-lease contract by Ryan International Airlines (company based in ICT....not RYANAIR, the LCC based in Dublin, Ireland). There are 3 of these aircraft (2 painted in AirTran colors, 1 white one used as a spare). These aircraft have been in service since early June, and fly the ATL-LAX and the ATL-LAS routes since the 717 does not have the range. AirTran recently placed an order for up to 100 (50 firm + 50 options) B-737-700/800s that will be used for these longer range routes. The first ones should be on line by this time next year.

Ryan International has had pilots on furlough for some time now. They have been slowly recalling, but I'm not sure if everyone is back. Their busy season is the winter, when they do a lot of flying for various tour operators to vacation destinations. I would think that they would have everyone back off furlough by this fall, and would possibly be hiring then. Not sure, though.

 

[B737G]

Just curious what people think about Airtran buying 737s and Jetblue buying Embraer jets. Is this a mistake on their part or good business? Seems like going away from a single aircraft type could raise costs and take them away from the low cost business model of Southwest. Of course, may be they are not trying to imitate LUV. Any thoughts?

 

[PropTrash]

I think AirTran has made a good move buying 737NGs. It gives them some range flexibility that the 717 lacks. Sure, there is always a risk in incorporating a new hull type into the fleet, but if they are smart in thier expansion than they should amortize the additional costs fairly rapidly.

I don't know much about JetBlue's jungle jets... I guess it just depends on how they deploy them. It sure does seem as though they are trying to drive US Airways out of business (and they are doing a fine job of it).

 

[dkwid]

A lot of Airtrans decision was do to Boeing. Airtran asked Boeing for a larger, longer range 717. Boeings reply was, 'you really want the 737. I imagine Boeing gave Airtran a sweet deal.

 

[FL717]

That 100 Boeing 737 purchase helped me talk the Michigan WIA gods into paying for the 40% of a 737 type rating the GI Bill woundn't cover.
Finally some good news.

Happy furloughed Falcon 20 First Officer.

I don't quite understand your post. Quick question because you lost me there. How does our order of 100 737's help you get money from Michigan for a 737 type rating? AirTran doesn't require a type rating on the 737, and without time in type, I doubt it would help your chances of getting an interview. It wouldn't hurt, but I don't believe a type alone without experience to back it up is beneficial. Does Michigan think that it is?

 

[beechballcpt]

as long as we are talking about airtrain....

I was at the Dayton Airshow last week, and when I was headed out, I thought I saw a Airtran CRJ taking off......was I seeing things, or do they have those now too....???????

 

[HAZ-MAT]

AirWhisky flies the AirTran Jet Connect colors.

 

[flx757]

Just curious what people think about Airtran buying 737s and Jetblue buying Embraer jets. Is this a mistake on their part or good business? Seems like going away from a single aircraft type could raise costs and take them away from the low cost business model of Southwest. Of course, may be they are not trying to imitate LUV. Any thoughts?

As others have indicated, AirTran really didn't have much of a choice but to add another type if they wanted to enter longer haul markets. I'm sure they would have preferred to stay with one aircraft type, but that just didn't seem to be one of the choices available.

 

[whereamI]

Ryan still has guys on furlough. I talked to one who said they are slowing recalling but he was still waiting for his lucky number to be called.

 

[FL717]

Snoopy_1 posted a reply to this thread that I quoted above, and asked a question about. Now, several hours later his post has mysteriously disappeared. Thats pretty interesting or strange... depending on how you look at it.

Oh well....