Low-Cost Leader Expects Uptick in Passengers, Bucking Industry Trend

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- While the aviation industry predicts significant declines in air travel this Thanksgiving holiday travel week, AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), today predicted a slight uptick in the number of customers it will serve from Monday, November 23rd through Monday, November 30th, 2009.

The low-cost leader predicted that it will help approximately 600,000 customers reach their favorite Thanksgiving destinations from the more than 60 cities the company serves. This total represents a 5 percent increase in travelers for the same period in 2008.

"This Thanksgiving travel season and every day, we are thankful for our loyal customers," said Tad Hutcheson, vice president of marketing and sales for AirTran Airways. "Offering customers a unique combination of high-quality services like Wi-Fi, Business Class, assigned seating and XM Satellite Radio on every flight along with a convenient schedule and low-fares puts us in a unique position in the industry."

AirTran Airways expects its busiest travel days of the holiday week to be Wednesday, November 25th, Sunday, November 29th and Monday, November 30th, 2009. For procrastinators, there are still some good airfare deals out there on Thanksgiving Day, November 26th, Friday, November 27th and Saturday, November 28th. Earlier this week, the Air Transport Association predicted a 4 percent decline in the number of passengers traveling this holiday travel season.

Passengers travelling this week are encouraged to arrive early, 90 minutes before flight if not checking bags and two hours prior if checking bags, be prepared for security procedures at Transportation Security Administration security checkpoints and utilize AirTran's quick and easy on-line check in at www.airtran.com.

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 two years. 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. To book a flight, visit www.airtran.com.

Media Contacts:    Christopher White
                   Cynthia Tinsley-Douglas
                   678.254.7442

SOURCE AirTran Airways

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