MDW here comes Airtran

[jetdawg]

AirTran Airways Expands Network in Key Business Markets of Chicago, Boston and Minneapolis/St. Paul
Monday October 17, 1:09 pm ET
Daily Nonstop Flights From Chicago-Midway to Two New Cities to Begin December 6

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI - News), today announced the airline will expand its network in key business markets with new daily nonstop flights from Chicago Midway Airport to Boston Logan International Airport and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, beginning December 6, 2005.

The new service will include four daily nonstop flights between Chicago (Midway) and Minneapolis/St. Paul, as well as three daily nonstop flights between Chicago (Midway) and Boston. All new flights will be served by the airline's popular Boeing 717 aircraft.

"AirTran Airways continues to pursue opportunities to expand our network in key business markets across the country," said Kevin Healy, AirTran Airways vice president of planning. "This new service connects these popular markets with convenient schedules designed to meet the needs of the business traveler and fare structures that will stimulate leisure demand as well. Our product combines key business attributes -- new Boeing aircraft, assigned seating, large overhead bins and business class -- with low fares that never require roundtrip purchase or a Saturday night stay which all of our customers appreciate."

AirTran Airways will offer the following daily nonstop flight options to/from Chicago (Midway) effective December 6, 2005:

Nonstop Service from Chicago (Midway)

To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
Atlanta 427 5:35 a.m. 8:21 a.m. Daily
Atlanta 821 9:30 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Daily
Atlanta 825 10:41 a.m. 1:32 p.m. Daily
Atlanta 23 12:42 p.m. 3:31 p.m. Daily
Atlanta 819 3:27 p.m. 6:20 p.m. Daily
Atlanta 25 4:33 p.m. 7:29 p.m. Daily

Nonstop Service from Chicago (Midway) (Continued)

To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
Atlanta 831 5:28 p.m. 8:22 p.m. Daily
Atlanta 31 7:35 p.m. 10:24 p.m. Daily
Boston 872 8:35 a.m. 11:50 a.m. Daily
Boston 876 1:10 p.m. 4:25 p.m. Daily
Boston 874 6:50 p.m. 105 p.m. Daily
Minneapolis/St. Paul 875 95 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Daily
Minneapolis/St. Paul 873 2:30 p.m. 40 p.m. Daily
Minneapolis/St. Paul 878 4:30 p.m. 60 p.m. Daily
Minneapolis/St. Paul 877 75 p.m. 8:25 p.m. Daily
Orlando 829 7:45 a.m. 11:16 a.m. Daily
Orlando 837 1:42 p.m. 5:12 p.m. Daily
Sarasota/Bradenton 846 2:42 p.m. 6:15 p.m. Daily

Nonstop Service to Chicago (Midway)

From Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
Atlanta 20 85 a.m. 8:55 a.m. Daily
Atlanta 22 9:10 a.m. 106 a.m. Daily
Atlanta 824 11:10 a.m. 122 p.m. Daily
Atlanta 24 1:59 p.m. 2:52 p.m. Daily
Atlanta 26 30 p.m. 3:52 p.m. Daily
Atlanta 830 45 p.m. 4:53 p.m. Daily
Atlanta 28 65 p.m. 70 p.m. Daily
Atlanta 30 10:59 p.m. 11:49 p.m. Daily
Boston 875 70 a.m. 8:30 a.m. Daily
Boston 873 12:25 p.m. 1:55 p.m. Daily
Boston 877 50 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Daily
Minneapolis/St. Paul 872 6:20 a.m. 80 a.m. Daily
Minneapolis/St. Paul 876 115 a.m. 12:35 p.m. Daily
Minneapolis/St. Paul 874 4:35 p.m. 6:15 p.m. Daily
Minneapolis/St. Paul 879 7:30 p.m. 9:10 p.m. Daily
Orlando 838 12:20 p.m. 22 p.m. Daily
Orlando 836 27 p.m. 3:53 p.m. Daily
Sarasota/Bradenton 842 11:25 a.m. 12 p.m. Daily

Listed below are sample one-way fares (fares are valid in either direction) to/from Chicago (Midway):

Destination Lowest Lowest Business
Coach Class Class
Boston $109 $299
Minneapolis /St. Paul $89 $249

AirTran Airways, one of America's largest low-fare airlines with 6,700 friendly, professional Crew Members, operates over 500 daily flights to 49 destinations. The airline's hub is at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where it is the second largest carrier. AirTran Airways recently added the fuel-efficient Boeing 737-700 aircraft to create America's youngest all-Boeing fleet. The airline is also the first carrier to install XM Satellite Radio on a commercial aircraft. For reservations or more information, visit http://airtran.com (America Online Keyword: AirTran).

 

[HalinTexas]

Yep, they see it coming.

Good luck.

 

[SWA/FO]

We will have an answer for that shortly... mark my words.

 

[crosscut]

We will have an answer for that shortly... mark my words.

An answer for what? You serve neither MSP nor BOS.

 

[jackel]

Youve Had An Answer For Everything Weve Done And Yet Were Still Here We Dont Care What You Do Mark My Words

 

[On Your Six]

An answer for what? You serve neither MSP nor BOS.

Watch out for a flood of ATA 737-300s into MSP and BOS....

 

[crosscut]

Watch out for a flood of ATA 737-300s into MSP and BOS....

Huh?! Why would they "flood" both MSP & BOS when they just announced they're pulling out of both markets? It's either one or the other and we already know it's not the former. Read the article.



ATA to cut 3 routes, lay off 100
Expansion plans for 2 Florida cities also eliminated

By Mark Skertic
Tribune staff reporter
Published October 14, 2005


ATA Airlines said Thursday that it will eliminate a planned Florida expansion, lay off 100 employees and drop service from Chicago to three cities.

"These scheduling changes will improve ATA's cash flow and put the company on better footing to attract an investment and emerge from Chapter 11," Sean Frick, vice president and chief restructuring officer, said in a statement.

The Indianapolis-based airline, going through a reorganization while under federal bankruptcy court protection, said it plans to keep operating from its eight gates at Midway Airport.

"We continue to have a strong presence at Chicago-Midway, and our gate numbers will remain the same," airline spokeswoman Michelle Foley said. "However, our use of them will become more efficient from a day-to-day operations standpoint."

ATA will drop service to Boston on Oct. 28; to Newark, N.J., on Oct. 29; and to Minneapolis-St. Paul on Dec. 1. Plans for Miami and Sarasota, Fla., service were scrapped.

The airline will drop to 103 daily flights from 118. After the change, ATA will serve 18 cities directly, although it can reach 65 in all through a passenger-sharing arrangement with Southwest Airlines.

ATA's parent, ATA Holdings Corp., entered bankruptcy in October 2004. It recently reached a deal to repay creditors using $130 million from investors, including Southwest Airlines.

There is little or no competition for direct flights from Midway to the cities ATA is abandoning. Still, they likely were money-losing routes that ATA did not believe it could fly if it hopes to make a profit in the future, said airline analyst John Pincavage.

"Fuel is expensive," he said. "You have to think long and hard about keeping an airline in a market if you don't feel you can raise prices, and you have an inability to stimulate demand," he said.

Record fuel prices have prompted several airlines to suspend some service. Northwest Airlines, which sought bankruptcy protection last month, is reducing service on some European routes. American Eagle, a regional affiliate of American Airlines' parent AMR Corp, canceled 558 flights this month, about 22 a day, to cut fuel spending.

Analyst Ray Neidl of Calyon Securities said ATA, which has been through several downsizings over the past year, is being marginalized.

"Their chances of success are limited," Neidl said. "I've said before I won't be surprised if they don't make it."

ATA said it is contacting customers affected by its service-reduction plans and will help those whose travel is booked through Jan. 9 make alternative plans on other airlines. Those who purchased tickets for use after Jan. 9 are eligible for refunds, ATA said.

 

[crosscut]

P.s.

BTW, here is the link:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0510140206oct14,1,7608761.story

 

[SWA/FO]

Maybe that was a HINT that soon we will be announcing service to BOS and/or MSP. DO I have to spell it out for you? Thus, when I type we will have an answer that might have been what I was talking about. Or how about going into ATL....for an answer for ya. Southwest is watching AirTran......

 

[crosscut]

Maybe that was a HINT that soon we will be announcing service to BOS and/or MSP. DO I have to spell it out for you? Thus, when I type we will have an answer that might have been what I was talking about. Or how about going into ATL....for an answer for ya. Southwest is watching AirTran......

Oh, I get it. First you jump off the cliff, then you build wings on the way down. Otherwise, why the insecurity of being vague? "Mark my words" by itself doesn't amount to anything: ATL doesn't have any gates; neither does MSP; not sure about BOS, although I'm certain you already knew that. But even if there were room, going into BOS, ATL, & MSP out spitefulness would have been no small price to pay. Really, what’s your logic? Because w/your last, you don't seem to show any. Otherwise, please "spell it out."

 

[norskman2]

"Mark my words." SWA will NEVER fly into MSP.

Maybe RST or something goofy like that. But you'll never see Canyon Blue at MSP.

 

[jackel]

1. ata doesnt have 737-300 2. swa boy.......you follow us everywhere ..... yougo ahead and do what you need to do 3. you have a better chance of seeing god tonight than you do of getting gates in atl before airtran does 4. "mark my words"......what does that mean anyway........i didnt realize the fo's at swa were making decisions about where to fly to

 

[crosscut]

"Mark my words." SWA will NEVER fly into MSP.

Maybe RST or something goofy like that. But you'll never see Canyon Blue at MSP.

In BOS, FL has long co-existed with PVD nearby. So, if either RST (for MSP) or an increase into PVD were the "answer," I'll bet on Airtran ... even at their early age but good point, though.

SWA/FO: Fokker's in-law was "watching" him, too. So, what? However, your partisanship was predictable.

 

[Gate 69]

Think about this swafo: Given the choice, same price, would you rather fly in a newer fleet, have an assigned seat, possible $35 business class upgrade, and XM satelite entertainment or show hours early for cattle car seating? Better hope Citrus stays out of OAK, PHX, STL, etc.

 

[crosscut]

To me, BTW, although on a much smaller scale, this looks to be a bigger FU than the MDW expansion of last December because, unlike the last time around (no offense to any ATA employee intended), now there is NO fee to pay but I'll mark you words. The real loser here is ATA employees … courtesy of your prior "answer." I just hope the next "answer" won't be at the expense of the remaining ones at ATA if the last one was of any indication.

 

[ATA For Now!]

Wow....

I'm sure glad my airline is going out of business so I don't have to take part in this bickering anymore!!

What a relief!!

LOL!

 

[crosscut]

Think about this swafo: Given the choice, same price, would you rather fly in a newer fleet, have an assigned seat, possible $35 business class upgrade, and XM satelite entertainment or show hours early for cattle car seating? Better hope Citrus stays out of OAK, PHX, STL, etc.

Me thinks he's not much interested in the evidence so much as he's in humoring himself.

 

[crosscut]

Wow....

I'm sure glad my airline is going out of business so I don't have to take part in this bickering anymore!!

What a relief!!

LOL!

If you consider "this as bickering," you ain't seen nothin.' But I know you didn't really mean that.

 

[CitrusGuy]

From an AirTran point of view I would much rather compete with Southwest in Chicago than Delta in Atlanta. Southwest is a predictable airline that won't do anything besides what is rational and business sound, where as Delta can do the dumbest things just to f*** with us. BTW, did anyone just notice that the retail price of gas in ATL just went up to $3.70 a gallon!!!
/Citrus

 

[canyonblue]

Nice thread. uke:

 

[Ty Webb]

Geez, it's like a self-cleaning oven around here . . . I don;t have to do anything but sit back and watch the show . . . .

 

[rvsm410]

Go Airtran!!!! It's fun to see other carriers watching what we do.....

 

[fifty30retard]

Nice thread. uke:

Because it doesn't laud Southwest?

 

[HalinTexas]

ATA will be letting go 100 ground employees and 100 pilots (for now) as a result of this pull back.

We are not taking any more deliveries, and the military charters are decreasing. We have an L10 delayed in a D-check, another one coming due, 3 737-300's, about 16 B737-800's, and an equal number of B757's. These numbers are probably going to change. Rumor has it we'll be down to about 30 airframes. That means about 600-650 pilots left. We have about 850 active on the list now. The cuts are getting deep enough that displaced captains will be getting furloughed soon.

The impending liquidation/fragmentation of ATA is just a sign of things to come.

This industry sucks.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Geez, it's like a self-cleaning oven around here . . . I don;t have to do anything but sit back and watch the show . . . .

To paraphrase you from a different thread..."ATA would be in better shape if Airtran's deal had beaten SWA's."

I still have no idea how that assertion makes sense. Please tell.


BTW, ATA is getting kicked way too much. I hope the situation starts to improve, SOON! I thought SWA and ATA had a good relationship going and it should be producing. I have no idea what the problem is.

 

[DonVerita]

BTW, did anyone just notice that the retail price of gas in ATL just went up to $3.70 a gallon!!!
/Citrus

Looks like the UnAccountablility Dept. at AirTran got burned for not auditing their fuel contracts. They'll probably ask the pilots for concessions to cover this.

Can registered user, "Dave Siegal" from US Airways please weigh in on this issue.

 

[FlyFastLiveSlow]

Looks like the UnAccountablility Dept. at AirTran got burned for not auditing their fuel contracts. They'll probably ask the pilots for concessions to cover this.

Can registered user, "Dave Siegal" from US Airways please weigh in on this issue.

From the FL Fuel Guru....the ATL fuel price showing on the release is NOT correct!!

 

[crosscut]

ATA will be letting go 100 ground employees and 100 pilots (for now) as a result of this pull back.

We are not taking any more deliveries, and the military charters are decreasing. We have an L10 delayed in a D-check, another one coming due, 3 737-300's, about 16 B737-800's, and an equal number of B757's. These numbers are probably going to change. Rumor has it we'll be down to about 30 airframes. That means about 600-650 pilots left. We have about 850 active on the list now. The cuts are getting deep enough that displaced captains will be getting furloughed soon.

The impending liquidation/fragmentation of ATA is just a sign of things to come.

This industry sucks.

As per Aviation Week & according to Dennison, ATA's code share w/Southwest has been a success. Tell that to the 200 that are being laid off. Your chairman is talking out of both sides of his proverbial mouth.

 

[Jim Smyth]

Airtran is a good company that is keeping there costs in line and offers a good product. There is still alot of room at Midway and competition is a healthy thing. Also the MSP market would have normally been a blood bath if you went in against NWA on that perticular route but since they are down on there luck right now its a great time for a challange from a LCC in the MSP market. I dont think they will be able to come after you like they did in the old days. At least not right now.

I dont understand the reduction in ATA service either. Its in all markets that we dont serve and we can feed each other with the codeshare agreement plus I hear there loads are good. All I keep hearing from the inside on our end is how well things are going with the codeshare. We have spent alot of money and time with ATA which shows me we do want them to do well. I am sorry to hear about the furlough of more Pilots upcoming. I was hoping that with all the good things I have heard from the codeshare, that they would be able to start recalling pilots on there end.

FWIW, I flew with a former ATA pilot on my last trip. He was already furloughed when he got the call. Really a good guy and we need to hire more ATA Pilots! Anyone from the Southwest Peoples Department reading this forum? Hello.................

 

[mdf]

Geez, it's like a self-cleaning oven around here . . . I don;t have to do anything but sit back and watch the show . . . .

I have to say I like it much better when you insult instead of your fellow company men/women. You go right for the juglar, and I don't have get a copy of hooked on phonics to read your posts!!