AirTran Airways

AirTran Airways was an American low-cost carrier headquartered in Orlando, Florida, that operated primarily throughout the eastern United States and select leisure destinations. Founded from the remnants of ValuJet Airlines following a rebranding after the 1996 ValuJet Flight 592 crash, AirTran built a reputation for offering affordable fares with a business class product unusual for a low-cost carrier. The airline grew substantially through the 2000s, establishing Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson as its primary hub and expanding to cities across the continental United States, the Caribbean, and Mexico. AirTran was known for operating an all-Boeing 717 and 737 fleet, keeping operations efficient and costs manageable. Southwest Airlines acquired AirTran in 2011, and the brand was gradually phased out as routes and aircraft were integrated into Southwest's network. AirTran ceased operations entirely in December 2014, completing one of the more notable low-cost carrier mergers in U.S. aviation history.