AirTran Doubles Rewards Points for Flights to and from Milwaukee

If you usually fly to or from Milwaukee via AirTran, you’re in luck. The airline is now offering extra motivation for book flights and earning miles by doubling rewards.

From now until Feb 10, 2010 when you book a flight between Milwaukee and any other destination in the country through AirTran, you’ll earn double A+ Rewards credits (four instead of two.) Instead of counting miles, the carrier is now counting round-trip flights, to make it easier on customers who fly frequent, short trips.

By earning rewards, you’ll accrue free round-trips that supersede blackout dates. One-way trips count towards points as well, and on a reward flight, you can opt to upgrade for free if there is room available.

AirTran to Include Advertisements on Tray Tables

This year, we’ve seen quite a few airlines try scheme after scheme to make up for the recession by charging passengers very detailed fees. From wireless Internet to bathroom fees, to luggage charges and expensive holiday fees, the list of new rates is endless. Now, AirTran has turned the tables, and is charging someone else to come on board: advertisers.

AirTran will now use advertisements the back of every tray table of its 138 Boeing jets. Strategically located, the ads are eye-level and unavoidable, since trays must be folded and locked during both landing and take-off.

Although Ireland-based Ryanair and England-based Easyjet, both have experimented with advertisements, AirTran remains to be the first in the United States to have an advertisement on every seat in every plane.

FAA Computer Glitch Causes Widespread Flight Delays

Travelers on flights out of the East Coast today may experience significant flight delays, due to a glitch in the FAA’s computers, according to USA Today.

The delays stemmed from a problem processing flight plan information. They began in Atlanta at Hartsfield-Jackson, which is one of the busiest airports in the country, and have since affected flights in New York, making planes space themselves up to 20 miles apart.

This Weekend Away: Cheap Travel to Las Vegas

Got plans this weekend? Even if you do, chances are they aren’t as good as the plans we’ve cooked up for you. No offense, we’re sure your dinner party would have been thrilling – but this is Sin City. So cancel your lovely little gathering, pack the most scandalous pieces of your wardrobe, and get on a flight to Las Vegas. We’re betting it’s far more memorable and quite plainly more fun.

We’re not, however, guaranteeing that you won’t get in trouble while you’re there. Hey, we just make the plans.

Weekend: Friday, Nov. 13 – Sunday, Nov. 15
Destination: Las Vegas

AirTran Airways Increases Flights to Florida for Winter Months

In an effort to warm up this winter, AirTran has added more flights to Florida for its Northeast travelers. Daily flights will be added to Orlando and Fort Myers starting Dec. 17 from Boston, Pittsburgh, Chicago/Midway, and Columbus, Ohio.

These flights are in addition to AirTran's current Florida flight schedule, which includes 10 cities in Florida and the recently added Key West flights.

AirTran Continues Caribbean Expansion with Flights to Aruba

AirTran Airways announced new flights and schedules for its new service to Aruba. The Aruba flights mark the airline's fifth Caribbean destination. AirTran recently announced service to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Nassau, Bahamas, and currently operates service to Cancun and San Juan.

The flights to Aruba will depart from Atlanta starting Dec. 19, 2009, and from Orlando starting Feb. 13, 2010, pending final government approval.

"Adding Aruba to our list of Caribbean destinations gives our customers more choices than ever when looking for an escape from winter," said Kevin Healy, senior vice president, marketing and planning. "Dipping your toes in Caribbean sand has never been easier and we'll get you there from Orlando just in time for the Grand Parade of Carnival."

AirTran to Add Orlando to Key West Flights

Now it's even easier to get to Margaritaville.

Low-cost carrier AirTran announced today it will start four weekly non-stop flights to Key West on Dec. 17, 2009, from its Orlando base. AirTran will charter travelers via its Boeing 737 jets, and will offer connections to Orlando from its hub in Atlanta.

"Key West is one of the destinations that is most requested by customers in our hometown of Orlando and across our network," Kevin Healy, AirTran’s senior vice president for marketing and planning, says in a release. "We are thrilled to add the Conch Republic to the AirTran network."

AirTran's Boeing 737 jets will be the first full-sized jets on the Key West runways since 1989. Currently, Cape Air flies Cessna's into Key West from its base in Fort Myers and Miami.

AirTran Announces Partnership With Atlanta Falcons

Not to be outdone by American Airlines' announcement last week of a partnership with the New England Patriots, AirTran Airways announced today a multi-year partnership with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. (Do we see the start of a Super Bowl ad?)

The AirTran partnership includes joint promotions, advertising and signage at the Georgia Dome, and going one step further in the art department, a specially designed, Falcons-themed Boeing 717.

“We are extremely excited to partner with the Falcons,” said Tad Hutcheson, AirTran Airways’ vice president of marketing and sales. “Just like Matt Ryan and the rest of the team, AirTran Airways is committed to putting the best product on the field, or in our case, in the sky each and every day.”

AirTran operates 60 percent of its flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.  The Falcons join the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts as official NFL partners of AirTran Airways.

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Cheapflights.com Weekly Roundup: Cheap Flights for Last Days of Summer

Labor Day means one thing: rest. So, take the work out of searching for a cheap flight with one of these Labor Day Fare sales.

American Airlines is offering fares starting at $44 each way to cities like Las Vegas, Miami and Chicago. The sale ends today, Aug. 21 and travel is valid between Sept. 1 and Sept. 9. Cheapflights Tip: The lowest fares will be found when you depart Sept. 1 through Sept. 5 and return Sept. 4 through Sept. 9.

Not to be outdone, United is also promoting Labor Day flights. The sale ends today and departures are good on Sept. 1, 2, 5 and 6. Return travel must be booked for Sept. 5, 6, 8 or 9.

Although not a specific Labor Day sale, AirTran is also discounting flights when you book by Aug. 25. The fares are good for travel through December and Labor Day weekend is not blacked out. We searched Boston to Chicago from Sept. 2 to Sept. 8 and we found flights from $76 each way -- $3 less than the advertised sale price.

AirTran Moves Out of Newark, Hands Off Gates to Continental

USAToday is reporting that AirTran Airways will stop flying to and from Newark, N.J., and will give its takeoff and landing slots there to Continental Airlines. In exchange for the Newark trade, AirTran will get  Continental's slots in Washington and New York's LaGuardia Airport.

AirTran has served the Newark airport for 10 years, but now goes head-to-head with Southwest Airlines as both low-cost carriers enter the New York marketplace. According to reports, AirTran also plans to add flights to/from Indianapolis-New York.