AirTran Airways and Georgia Aquarium Unveil Dolphin 1

ATLANTA, March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), and Georgia Aquarium today unveiled a custom designed aircraft celebrating their long partnership. The Boeing 737-700 aircraft, named Dolphin 1, is uniquely adorned with dolphins and an aquatic theme to celebrate the airline's partnership with the world's largest aquarium while highlighting the facility's newest attraction, the AT&T Dolphin Tales gallery and theater.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110331/NY73768 )

The one-of-a-kind aircraft was introduced to the AirTran fleet with a water cannon salute from the Atlanta Fire Department and festive music from the Tri-Cities High School Marching Band. Executives from AirTran Airways and the Georgia Aquarium gathered with AirTran Airways Crew Members and other guests to commemorate the launch. Dolphin 1 will serve AirTran's growing national and international network of more than 70 cities and will be seen by millions of travelers.

"AirTran Airways is so proud of our long partnership with Georgia Aquarium," said Bob Fornaro, AirTran Airways' chairman, president and CEO. "We are excited to add Dolphin 1 to the AirTran fleet and look forward to helping raise awareness of this world-class destination in our largest hub city."

The unveil is part of the community's celebration of Georgia Aquarium's $110 million dolphin exhibit, which features a 1.8 million gallon habitat featuring bottlenose dolphins. The gallery includes a lobby featuring an expansive underwater viewing window, and an 1,800-seat theater featuring a live production with dolphins, human actors and singers, and special effects and lighting. To help underscore Georgia Aquarium's commitment to marine mammal conservation and research, in 2008 the Aquarium donated $1.5 million to build a new marine animal rescue, care and research facility, the Dolphin Conservation Field Station at Marineland, Florida.

"AirTran's early commitment to supporting the Aquarium began in 2005, and continues to this day," said Bernie Marcus, Benefactor, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Georgia Aquarium.  "We're very grateful to AirTran for their ongoing support and we're very excited to celebrate the unveiling of Dolphin 1."

About AirTran Airways:

AirTran Airways is a Fortune 1000 company and has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past three years. AirTran Airways is the only major airline with Gogo Inflight Internet on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America's newest all-Boeing fleet. Our low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit http://www.airtran.com.

About Georgia Aquarium:

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia, is the world's largest, with more than ten million gallons of water and more aquatic life than any other aquarium. The mission of the Georgia Aquarium is to be an entertaining, educational and scientific institution featuring exhibits and programs of the highest standards, offering engaging and exciting guest experiences and promoting the conservation of aquatic biodiversity. The Georgia Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. For additional information, visit http://www.georgiaaquarium.org.

SOURCE AirTran Airways