AirTran Becomes Fastest Airline in History to get 100 Planes

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AirTran Airways Becomes Fastest Airline in History to Reach Milestone of 100 Planes

Airline teams with The Boeing Company to make donation to Atlanta-area high school as part of the celebration welcoming its 100th aircraft

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. AAI, today celebrated the addition of the company's 100th aircraft into the airline's fleet. The plane, a Boeing 717, ship number 749 and registration number N923AT, was welcomed during a delivery ceremony at the airline's maintenance hangar at Hartsfield- Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

"Building on our long-standing partnership with The Boeing Company, today marks a significant milestone for our airline as we take delivery of our 100th aircraft," said Joe Leonard, AirTran Airways' chairman and chief executive officer. "As our competitors face strikes, layoffs and bankruptcies, our airline continues to grow by adding new markets, new routes and new planes. Our loyal customers choose to fly with us because of the quality of service we offer, including these new planes."

As part of the festivities, Atlanta-area North Clayton High School's marching band helped usher in the plane in a parade that included 100 of the airline's original Crew Members. AirTran Airways and Boeing executives then offered to make a donation to the marching band if the group would help "pull" the airplane into service. After the band pulled the 84,000 pound aircraft more than 40 feet, AirTran Airways and The Boeing Company donated funds to the organization for new band uniforms.

"Our all-new Boeing fleet has been a key factor in operating a highly efficient airline," said Robert L. Fornaro, AirTran Airways' president and chief operating officer. "The reliability, performance and operating economics of these airplanes are a perfect fit for our low-cost business model."