AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI) and a Fortune 1000 company, has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past three years and is the recipient of the prestigious 2010 Market Leadership Award from Air Transport World. AirTran is the only major airline with Wi-Fi on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America's newest all-Boeing fleet. Its low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight.AirTran Airways HistoryAirTran Airways is a culmination of several airlines and lots of hard work. In 1992, the predecessor airline, ValuJet Airlines was founded by airline industry veterans including an executive group from the former Southern Airways and pilots, mechanics and flight attendants from the defunct Eastern Air Lines.Created to fill the void at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after Eastern Air Lines' demise, ValuJet Airlines started with two former Delta Air Lines' DC-9 aircraft, and the first commercial flight occurred between Atlanta and Tampa on October 26, 1993. The airline was the first to launch ticketless travel in 1993.In the spring of 1994, barely eight months after launching service between Atlanta and three Florida cities, the airline went public by listing its stock on the NASDAQ and trading under the ticker symbol VJET.In late 1995, after barely two years of serving the public's air transportation needs, the airline placed an order with the then McDonnell Douglas Corporation to be the launch customer for the MD-95 aircraft (now known as the Boeing 717). Serving as the launch customer meant the airline would have much input into the design of the aircraft, and ValuJet was the youngest airline ever to serve as a launch customer for an aircraft type.At the end of 1995, ValuJet was named as the top company in the famed Georgia 100 as published by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the airline posted high margins with a $67 million net profit on revenues of $367 million. The publicly traded airline stock was increasing in value on a seemingly weekly basis.The original AirTran Airways, a Boeing 737 operator with service to/from Orlando, was founded by AirTran Corporation, the holding Company of Mesaba Airlines of Minneapolis, Minnesota, operating as a Northwest Airlink carrier with hubs in Minneapolis and Detroit. In 1994, AirTran Holdings purchased a start up 737 operator named Conquest Sun and renamed the airline AirTran Airways. Conquest Sun, similar to ValuJet, was an airline started by former Eastern Air Lines employees. The original AirTran Airways moved its headquarters to Orlando, Florida, and grew to 11 Boeing 737 aircraft serving 24 cities in the East and Midwest providing low-fare leisure travel to Orlando. In 1995, AirTran Airways was spun off by Mesaba and formed its own independent holding company named Airways Corporation.On July 10, 1997, ValuJet, Inc., the holding company for ValuJet Airlines, Inc., announced plans to acquire Airways Corporation, Inc., the holding company for AirTran Airways, Inc. of Orlando, Florida. The deal was scheduled to close on November 17, 1997.On September 24, 1997, ValuJet Airlines changed its name to AirTran Airlines. So, for a couple of months, the two holding companies, even though they had not yet merged, operated airlines with similar names – AirTran. ValuJet, Inc., operated AirTran Airlines with a hub in Atlanta and Airways, Inc., operated AirTran Airways with a hub in Orlando. Finally, on November 17, 1997, ValuJet, Inc., acquired Airways, Inc., and renamed the holding company, AirTran Holdings, Inc. In the summer of 1998, the two airlines merged onto the same FAA certificate and the AirTran Airways name survived. While the hub remained in Atlanta, the headquarters of the new entity was combined in Orlando, Florida, on January 28, 1998.In January 1999, a new management team led by Joe Leonard, a veteran of Eastern Air Lines, and Bob Fornaro, of US Airways, took the reins at the airline. Leonard, Chairman and CEO, improved operating efficiencies while Fornaro, President and COO, built a sustainable route network which increased the presence of the Atlanta hub while adding focus cities in Baltimore/Washington, Philadelphia and Chicago. On August 15, 2001, Leonard and Fornaro joined twelve Crew Members in ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange where the company's stock began trading under the ticker symbol AAI. The airline grew quickly under Leonard and Fornaro's leadership and has transformed itself into a strong competitor operating the youngest all Boeing fleet in the nation.In November 2007, Bob Fornaro took over the reins of the airline as CEO, as well as President. Joe Leonard remained Chairman of the Board of Directors until June, 2008. Upon his retirement, Fornaro then became Chairman, President, and CEO.Under Fornaro's leadership, AirTran Airways has grown into one of the largest and most profitable low-cost airlines in the industry with service to more than 60 cities coast-to-coast, as well as the Caribbean, and more than 700 flights per day and over 8,500 Crew Members. While continuing to grow its route map the airline has remained focused on adding products and services its customers want and became the first airline to outfit all of its planes with wi-fi service in the summer of 2009. The airline has won the top spot for low cost carriers in the coveted Airline Quality Rating (AQR) study for 2008 and 2009 and was the recipient of the prestigious Market Leadership Award from Air Transport World in 2010.On September 27, 2010, AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI), the parent company of AirTran Airways, announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV).“Joining Southwest Airlines will give us opportunities to grow, both professionally as individuals and as a group, in ways that simply would not be possible without this agreement. Together with Southwest, the world’s largest passenger airline, their financial resources, tremendous brand, legendary customer service, corporate culture and decades-long record of success, we will have the opportunity to go places neither company could have gone alone,” said Bob Fornaro, AirTran Chairman, President and CEO.The transaction is expected to be complete in the first half of 2011, pending regulatory approvals.
Would you like to work for a profitable, rapidly growing and successful airline? AirTran Airways has exciting positions available throughout the United States!Our mission: Innovative people dedicated to delivering the best flying experience to smart travelers. Every day.Come take a closer look at what AirTran Airways has to offer: * Learn more about Career Options at AirTran Airways. * See our Current Openings. * Visit us at an Information Session. * Learn more about the Application Process at AirTran Airways. * Learn about AirTran Airways Crew Member Benefits. * Interested in Customer Service and Ramp Agent opportunities? View our Virtual Recruiting Presentation. * Interested in Reservations Agent or Flight Attendant opportunities? View our Virtual Recruiting PresentationAccessibility PolicyAirTran Airways will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with qualified disabilities in accordance with the ADA. If you require a reasonable accommodation for our application process, please contact your local Department of Labor for assistance. Requests will be kept confidential and shared strictly on a need-to-know basis only.AirTran Airways, an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Travel PrivilegesEligible immediately, Crew Member travel privileges begin the first day of employment (travel privileges for eligible dependents begin the first day of the month after the Crew Member has completed thirty days of continuous employment). Crew Members, eligible dependents and parents enjoy unlimited, complimentary, space-available travel on AirTran Airways. In addition, Crew Members and eligible dependents may enjoy reduced-rate travel on other airlines where agreements to do so are in effect.HealthEligible after 30 days of employment, benefit begins first day of following month. Health insurance is structured into four tiers: Crew Member only, Crew Member and spouse, crew member and children, crew member and family. For the first year of employment, AirTran Airways contributes 50% toward the monthly cost. After the Crew Member's first anniversary, AirTran Airways contributes 60% towards the monthly cost.DentalEligible after 30 days of employment, benefit begins first day of following month. Dental insurance is structured into three tiers: Crew Member only, Crew Member and one dependent, and Crew Member and two or more dependents. For the first year of employment, AirTran Airways contributes 50% toward the monthly cost. After the Crew Member's first anniversary, AirTran Airways contributes 60% towards the monthly cost.Accidental Death & DismembermentEligible after 30 days of employment, benefit begins first day of following month. Accidental Death and Dismemberment is structured into two tiers: Crew Member only and Crew Member and family. Crew Members contribute 100% to this benefit.Basic LifeEligible after 30 days of employment, benefit begins first day of the following month. AirTran Airways provides life insurance equal to one year's base income (annual salary). This benefit increases with all pay increases.Optional Life and Dependent LifeEligible after 30 days of employment, benefit begins first day of the following month. Crew Members may elect additional life insurance coverage for themselves and may elect coverage for their spouse and dependent children.Short-Term Disability.If you're unable to work due to illness or injury, the Short-Term Disability program offers 22 weeks of benefits equal to 50% of your pay, to a maximum of $1,000 per week.Basic Long-Term DisabilityEligible after 30 days of employment, benefit begins first day of the following month. AirTran Airways provides long-term disability insurance for all full-time Crew Members. Benefit payments will begin after 180 days of disability and will be a 50% income replacement.Optional Long-Term DisabilityEligible after 30 days of employment, benefit begins first day of the following month. Crew Members have the option to elect additional long-term disability insurance that would provide the maximum benefit of 66 2/3% income replacement.Flexible Spending AccountsEligible after 30 days of employment, benefit begins the first day of the following month. Crew Members may defer income into tax-free medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts.401(k) RetirementEligible after six months of employment, benefit begins first pay period after six months. Crew Members may contribute up to 15% of annual base income into the 401(k). AirTran Airways matches 30% of total contributions.* Vesting is complete after three years of participation.**Stock PurchaseEligible after six months of employment, benefit begins the first pay period of the following quarter. Crew Members may contribute up to 15% of annual base income toward the purchase of AirTran Airways stock. Stock is purchased monthly at a 10% discount on the closing price of the offering date. AirTran Airways pays all administrative costs.529 College Savings PlanThe College Savings Plan allows you to save today to meet the costs of higher education.Employment Policies and PracticesAirTran Airways Crew Members benefit from a clear understanding of our Company's employment polices and practices while working with AirTran Airways. Our "Day 1" orientation program for all new Crew Members is fun, engaging and covers the policies and procedures new Crew Member need to know from the very beginning to get off to a great start.Each new Crew Member receives a copy of our Crew Member Handbook that sets out AirTran's policies against discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), attendance, steps of progressive/corrective discipline and other related employment topics. Additional information, job specific work rules and applicable union contracts are addressed by each department in its technical training that follows our "Day 1" orientation.AirTran Airways is committed to complying with all applicable benefit, compensation, employment, labor and/or safety laws covering our Crew Members including but not limited to applicable wage, hour and child labor laws.AirTran Airways is an equal opportunity employer. All Employment practices are conducted without regards to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship or disability. AirTran Airways maintains a drug-free workplace and complies with Executive Order 11246 on affirmative action; the Rehabilitation Act; and the Vietnam-Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act.*Up to 6%**Plan participation may vary based on membership in certain collective bargaining groups.
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Headquarters
9955
AirTran Blvd
Orlando
Florida
32827