Gary Kelly, chairman, president and CEO of Southwest Airlines announced in Atlanta on Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, that their union with AirTran Airways will be official in time for Valentine’s Day next year. On Feb. 12, 2012, Southwest Airlines will launch new service to and from Atlanta (ATL) with a sweetheart deal. Initial fares will be as low as $79 one way.
Like most successfully blended families, they’ve developed a strategy so travelers won’t be shown any favoritism or experience ostracism. Elite members of both carriers’ frequent flyer loyalty programs, A-List and A + members, have already started enjoying the mutual benefits. The newly minted program, Rapid Rewards, offers priority boarding, access to priority security lanes, free business class upgrades and no baggage fees.
The benefits of this courtship just keep getting better. From Atlanta, Southwest will initially offer 15 nonstop departures daily to five destinations, including one that is not on AirTran’s current route. They are Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Chicago Midway (MDW), Denver (DEN), Houston Hobby (HOU) and Austin, Texas (AUS). The fares ranging from $79-99 can be purchased on southwest.com.
Kelly, a 25-year veteran at Southwest Airlines, participated in a live interview with Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce’s president Sam A. Williams, during a luncheon with chamber members and friends and engaged the media immediately following the presentation.
What are some of the changes travelers can expect?
“Southwest will get started in a very modest way in Atlanta next year. We’re bringing especially great value to those of you who travel last minute. Here in Atlanta, our fully refundable, walk-up fares will be, on average, more than 30 percent lower than anything currently in these markets. … We don’t charge a $150 fee simply to change your plans.”
