AirTran Airways was an American low-cost airline originally headquartered in Orlando, Florida, which ceased operations after the acquisition of Southwest Airlines. AirTran Airways was founded in 1993 as Conquest Sun Airlines under the management of two small airlines, Destination Sun Airways and Conquest Airlines. They operated mainly Boeing 717s and 737s. It shuttled flyers around the US Midwest as well as the East Coast and stayed in business for 21 years.
Why does it not operate anymore? What happened to AirTran?
AirTran: A Brief Look Back
Conquest Airlines’ co-founder Victor Rivas was one of the founders of Conquest Sun. Who bought AirTran? AirTran Corporation in 1994 purchased the airline and renamed it AirTran Airways. It later exited from AirTran Corporation’s new holding company, Airways Corporation.
The holding company of ValuJet acquired the airline, and the holding company of Airways Corporation in 1997, which owned the struggling ValuJet Airlines. ValuJet’s holding company became AirTran Holdings and merged with ValuJet Airlines’ AirTran Airways. ValuJet Airlines, in turn, became “AirTran Airlines” before merging with AirTran Airways.
Southwest Airlines acquired AirTran Airways and parent company AirTran Holdings on May 2, 2011. It gradually integrated them with AirTran’s last revenue flight on December 28, 2014.
It operates nearly 700 flights per day, primarily in the eastern and midwestern United States, with its main hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport serving nearly 200 daily departures. AirTran’s fleet consisted of Boeing 717-200 aircraft, of which it was the largest operator in the world, and Boeing 737-700 aircraft.
AirTran History
Image Source: community.southwest.com
This was founded in 1993 as Conquest Sun Airlines and began operations as an original Boeing 737-200 that flew to and from Orlando.
AirTran Airways was founded by the management of both Destination Sun Airways and regional carrier Conquest Airlines. The founding of Destination Sun Airways is unclear. Which claims Destination Sun was founded in 1991 by former Northeastern International Airways CEO Guy Lindley and that the airline was formerly known as SunExpress and was based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Another source claimed that Destination Sun was founded in 1990 by a group of pilots, presumably former Eastern Air Lines pilots, as AirTran management later claimed that it was founded by former Eastern Air Lines employees. Rafael Rivas and Victor Rivas founded Conquest Airlines in April 1988 in Texas. Victor Rivas, one of the founders of Conquest Airlines, was also closely involved in the founding of Conquest Sun Airlines.
In 1994, AirTran Corporation, the holding company of Minneapolis-based Mesaba Airlines, acquired Northwest Airlink from Northwest Airlines, with hubs in Minneapolis and Detroit. After the purchase, the airline changed from Conquest Sun Airlines to AirTran Airways to match the name of the holding company. The airline moved its headquarters to Orlando and grew to 11 Boeing 737s serving 24 cities in the eastern as well as midwestern United States, offering low-cost vacations to Orlando.
In 1995, AirTran Corporation established a new subsidiary called Airways Corporation and placed it under the new subsidiary; AirTran Corporation then separated from the new Airways Corporation, becoming an independent holding that also owns AirTran Airways. After the separation, AirTran Corporation became Mesaba Holdings after its subsidiary Mesaba Airlines separated from AirTran Airways. AirTran Corporation/Mesaba Holdings then became MAIR Holdings, which liquidated in July 2012.
Latest Developments
On September 27, 2010, Southwest Airlines announced the acquisition of AirTran Airways and parent company AirTran Holdings for a total of $1.4 billion. The deal gave Southwest a significant presence in many AirTran hubs, including Atlanta (at the time the largest US city without Southwest service) and Milwaukee, as well as expanded service to Baltimore and Orlando. With the acquisition, Southwest added international service to several leisure destinations such as Cancún, Montego Bay, and Aruba.
Southwest integrated AirTran’s Boeing 737-700 series fleet with the Southwest Airlines brand and design, after which the Boeing 717 fleet leased out to Delta Air Lines beginning in mid-2013. The airlines planned to complete as well as close the deal within two years, with the two airlines operating as separate carriers in the interim. The deal closed on 2 May 2011, and the airline won a license on 1 March 2012. The full integration of all employee groups between the two airlines ended in 2015.
On February 14, 2013, Southwest Airlines announced that it had entered into a codeshare agreement with AirTran. They took the first step on January 25, 2013, launching joint routes in five markets. As of February 25, 2013, Southwest continued to launch joint routes with 39 other markets. By April 2013, joint routes were to be available in all Southwest and AirTran cities (both domestic and international).
Southwest announced that the integration would end on December 28, 2014, when AirTran Airways Flight 1 will be the airline’s last Boeing 717-200 (N717JL) departure from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) to Tampa International Airport ( TPA). The flight used the call sign “Critter” as a nod to ValuJet. This route and flight number was Valujet’s first flight.
AirTran has had quite a journey in all these years, and so did its passengers. Here are some of the reviews from people after their flight with AirTrans.
1st Review
“I was given business class, which I was quite thrilled about. The seats are much bigger in this area and I felt comfortable the entire time. The arm rests were actually big enough for me to use as well. I was given a drink and a snack as soon as I boarded the plane – I did not have to wait like the people in coach. I was also offered more drinks and snacks throughout the flight. It is a small perk, but it is nice. It was also nice to be the first off the plane. I did not have to wait for everyone to debark first.”
– SharonSaver
2nd Review
“I loved it! The employees were great and they even offered several snacks while in the air. It was my very first time riding on a plane, so I was kind of nervous. The Flight Attendant made me feel so relaxed and offered to sit with me if I needed it, then. Although I declined the offer, it was nice to know that an airline would go the extra mile for their customers. Every time I travel, I go with AirTran because they know how to treat you.”
– mrsyoung1983
3rd Review
“I fly to Orlando and LAX several times a year and the only company I’ll fly with is Airtrain! They are one of the few airlines that offer convenient non-stop flights from my local airport. And their flights are always more than $100 cheaper than the other airlines. Their flights are ALWAYS on time. Knock on wood here, but I’ve never had a delayed Airtran flight. In fact, most of my flights arrive at their destinations a few minutes early. The staff is outstanding!”
– jenniandtonyx1
Wrapping Up
AirTran Airways was a beloved low-cost airline that operated for 21 years. It offered affordable flights across the US Midwest as well as the East Coast. The airline’s history overlaps with that of several other airlines, including Conquest Airlines, ValuJet Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. They ultimately acquired AirTran Airways and its parent company, AirTran Holdings. AirTran Airways is no longer in operation. But its legacy lives on in the hearts of many who fondly remember their journeys on this iconic airline.
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Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.
Review #1
I paid cash for my $100 incidental payment. And stayed there for one night from October 13 to October 14. I never write reviews like this, but what the black women with big bodies who worked on 10/14/22 did was basically theft. I told the night lady that my room smelled like smoke, and she told me that most rooms smell like smoke and it's fine. When I checked out, the morning clerk told me she wouldn't return my cash deposit because the room smelled like smoke. I told her I don't smoke and what the night lady said, but she was rude and didn't care about what I had to say. Heard that if you pay cash as a deposit, they will make up reasons to keep it and share it with the people who clean the room.
They did not make me sign anything saying they were keeping my $100. I'll talk to corporate about this because I've been traveling for work for 9 years and never had a problem like this. The woman at the front desk basically stole my deposit, and I might have to go to court over this. I'll do just that. Check out the people who pay cash for a deposit. Heard that the black woman who worked at the front desk on 10/14/22 had been accused of the same thing many times before. When you make $10 to $14 an hour, I'm sure that stealing that $100 deposit helps you pay your bills.
Review #2
The folks at the Motel 6 down the street gave me a recommendation to park at Quality since they said it was the safest overnight option in town because to the plenty of lighting and frequent police patrols.
The check-in process was lengthy due to the slowness of the desk staff. Another visitor convinced me to call in for the lowest rate, but I was stuck listening to a vacation package sales pitch from an extremely persistent agent for what felt like 30 minutes. In the end, I decided that the points weren't worth the discomfort, but I did it for the experience. It left me pretty irritated by the end, and it still does to this day. Not even after all that effort did I get a better rate!
After I checked in, I noticed how well-kept the room was (kudos to Natasha at reception for her attention to detail). The cleanliness of the tub was unparalleled; it appeared to be brand new. However, the bottle's stopper was missing, rendering it useless. In addition, the room was unexpectedly roomy. It seemed like the only negative aspect was an old chair sitting at the desk.
When I showed up early for a free breakfast, I was told that it was grab-and-go only and that they didn't actually start serving breakfast until Friday. The convenient snack pack included a blueberry muffin, a yogurt cup, and a croissant sandwich made with sausage, eggs, and cheese that had previously been frozen.
Although one of the treadmills in the exercise room was broken, the facility was otherwise adequate.
Unfortunately, once I had settled into my room, I read some quite unsettling comments about the hotel online. Except for a slightly off-putting hallway odor and some dubious carpet stains, I couldn't find any physical manifestations of the issues highlighted in the previous complaints. The reports of bedbugs were the most alarming. Thankfully, my thorough search turned up no evidence of such odors, but hearing about them from other guests tainted my overall impression of the hotel.
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Outdoor events play a unique role in our lives as they allow us to feel the presence of nature. Besides, they help enjoy scenic backdrops and create meaningful moments, which in turn stay in our memories forever. It does not matter whether it is a wedding, corporate event, or family event. The outcome of outdoor experiences depends on the creation of a specific and unforgettable experience by the attendees.
It is here that the role of customization hits the mark perfectly, giving organizers a chance to adjust everything about the event to match their vision and brand. For example, the E-Z UP tent that is custom is a tailor-made solution, which is great because of its versatility, branding options, and practicality for enhancing outdoor events.
Elevating Outdoor Experiences Using E-Z UP Tents!
Here are all the ways E-Z UP tents can help elevate your outdoor events:
1. We Turn Spaces into Experiences by using Custom E-Z UP Tents
The core aspect of any outdoor event is the need for shelter and protection from the elements. E-Z UP custom tents are a multipurpose approach that allows organizers to turn an outdoor premise into a usable and visually attractive space. The tents can be tailored in a different number of sizes, shapes, and conversions are available. Therefore they can meet the event requirements on any layout.
2. Brand Visibility and Recognition Creation at Height.
There is no denying that branding is a powerful tool to help organizations succeed in outdoor events. E-Z UP custom tents act as an efficient marketing tool that allows organizers to make their brands visibility by clearly having their logo, slogans, and colors on the tent canopies and walls.
With this increased level of brand visibility, which goes beyond the reach of event attendees, company image and brand messages gain more credibility.
3. Building Brand Experience as a seamless one.
Consistency has the potential to create a flawless brand experience at all touch points, including outside festivals. E-Z UP tents allow organizers to link all the branding elements of their event, such as marketing materials, signage, and promotional items, together to create a brand environment with a coherent look.
A hospitality tent gives a great outdoor experiences for all occasions, including a corporate event, product launch, or trade show booth, to enhance and communicate brand messaging.
4. Enhancing Guest Comfort and Engagement
Branding is not the only thing that an E-Z UP custom canopy does for people invited to an outdoor event but it also helps their comfort and engagement. The climate here is the real challenge as tents need shelter from the sun, wind, and rain, and with these tents, we have created cozy spaces where the guests can relax, socialize, and participate in the event activities.
Additional branding or informational content can be indicated through sidewalls that can be customized which also supports privacy and airflow control.
5. Customizing Solutions as Per Even Needs
One of the many strong points of the E-Z Up custom tents is the fact that they can be adjusted and matched to certain event needs and goals. Depending on what is required, VIP lounges, registration areas, vendor booths, and hospitality suites will all come in useful for event organizers.
These configurations of outdoor experiences are flexible, and they allow event organizers to turn their ideas into reality. In terms of small get-togethers and big shows, custom tents can easily be modified to provide for the exclusive needs of any outdoor parties.
Other Ways To Elevate Your Outdoor Experiences
Using the E-Z UP tent is a great idea when planning a grand or small gathering. How it helps elevate the experience is well understood with the information so far. We'll look at all the other ways you can upgrade your outdoor experience:
1. Have a plan of how you want the event to look.
Having a plan helps you decide the activities that will suit your guests. For example, if the outdoor event is of the formal kind, you can rely on decorating the venue with a traditional touch. On the contrary, if the outdoor event is for a birthday party, you can add many activities!
2. Choose the right venue.
This goes hand-in-hand with the first tip. When you have the event requirements in mind, you are more likely to choose the venue easily. The proper venue makes all the difference, helping to elevate experiences further.
A corporate event in a lavish location is sure to distract people from the main agenda. However, it will be much more impactful when the exact location is chosen for a corporate lunch or to celebrate a milestone. Thus, choosing the right venue makes all the difference, especially in outdoor events. Some examples of perfect venues for your event needs:
Countryside venue
Park or field
Sports club
Beach
Arena or stadium
Depending on the requirements, any of the abovementioned venues can be an excellent pick for your event.
3. Select the perfect theme.
Now that there's a proper plan in place, this is the perfect time to select the theme that will welcome your guests. A theme elevates the outdoor event from a boring one to an exciting one. The theme of your event will make the experience all the more exciting and give you ideas to decorate the space accordingly.
There are hundreds of themes one can choose for their outdoor event. If you have yet to gain prior experience, getting help from an event planner can be helpful.
4. Check for accessibility.
This is a great tip when choosing the venue for your outdoor event. The venue should be easy to reach for everyone on your guest list. If your guests cannot attend the event, all your planning can drain. This also includes checking the venue for wheelchair accessibility, such as having a ramp and pathways with gentle sloping. Parking spots for differently-abled people, along with the presence of food stations that are at a good height for all attendees.
A first aid station is also essential for outdoor events for safety purposes, as the event's nature and location can lead to a medical emergency.
Bonus tips for your outdoor event:
Live performance. A versatile activity that can fit into any outdoor event, live performance can keep your audience engaged. Book an artist or a band, and change the vibe of your event.
Photo booths. These act as a nice souvenir that your guests can take home. Photo booths let your event be immortalized in everyone's memories.
Food and beverage tastings. This is another fun idea that has elevated so many events from being a buzzkill. You should choose the food and beverage per the guest list, making it age-appropriate. Or, you can also mix it up and make each activity for two different age groups - it all depends on your audience.
Conclusion
Customization is a mainstay in rendering a great impact and making events successful. Custom E-Z UP tents provide organizers with a highly flexible and functional tool to turn outdoor venues into vibrant event scenes, showcase branding and message to the audience, create a unique brand experience, and make the guest experience more engaging.
Through the use of their capability to be tailored to the particular needs and objectives of an event, custom tents offer an opportunity for the organizer to develop a noteworthy and unforgettable outdoor experience that will make a powerful impact on participants. Whether it is a corporate event, wedding, festival, or trade show it is highlighted by a virtue of customization in the world of outdoor events.
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Travel has always been about chasing something new—different foods, different languages, even different versions of ourselves.
But these days, there’s a twist I never would’ve guessed ten years ago: people are flying abroad not just for beaches or ruins, but for cosmetic treatments.
It used to be this quiet, almost secret thing. Now? It feels like a full-blown movement, changing how folks see both vacations and healthcare.
Why Is Cosmetic Surgery Tourism A Good Idea
Moreover, there are multiple reasons to consider cosmetic tourism a good idea.
The Allure Of Transformation While Enjoying Cosmetic Surgery Tourism
It’s wild when you think about it. People aren’t only booking flights for sightseeing anymore—they’re penciling in surgery appointments, too.
Imagine wandering through old cobblestone streets, gelato in hand, while knowing your recovery is happening quietly in the background.
Two journeys are happening at once.
And it makes sense. There’s this weirdly beautiful overlap between exploring new places and reshaping yourself.
Like you’re writing your own little travel memoir, where the scenery isn’t just a backdrop—it’s part of your healing.
Affordable Luxury In World-Class Settings With Cosmetic Surgery Tourism
Of course, the money side of it is a big deal. In cities like Bangkok, Istanbul, or Prague, you can get a nose job or facelift for a fraction of the price in London or New York.
And no, we’re not talking shady setups. We’re talking polished clinics, international certifications, and surgeons with Ivy League degrees hanging on their walls.
It feels a lot like stumbling into a tiny restaurant down an alley and realizing the food tastes Michelin-star good but costs less than a takeout back home. That’s the thrill of it—luxury you can actually afford.
Expertise Across Borders With Cosmetic Surgery Tourism
And here’s the kicker: the doctors aren’t just good—they’re really good. Many of them studied abroad, learned the ropes in world-famous hospitals, and then brought that knowledge home.
So you end up with a mix of global skill and local hospitality.
Sometimes, they’re even ahead of the curve. Offering techniques that aren’t common where you live yet.
Patients leave feeling like they’ve had a peek into the future of medicine. It’s not just about change—it’s about being part of something new.
Discretion Wrapped In Adventure
There’s also the privacy factor. Let’s face it, not everyone wants their coworkers or neighbors whispering about why their face looks different.
Traveling abroad gives people the space to heal quietly. You can hide out, relax, and be home by the time you’re home?
The recovery phase has already passed, and what people see is just the “after.”
It’s sort of the modern version of the old grand tour. Except instead of coming back with art or stories, you return with a little glow-up no one saw coming.
Healing In Idyllic Surroundings
And healing doesn’t have to be sterile. It can mean resting by the Aegean Sea, or waking up in a boutique hotel where the windows open to mountain air.
Many packages include spa stays, yoga sessions, or cultural trips alongside surgery.
It’s very… Romantic poet energy. That mix of landscapes and personal renewal. Except now there’s anesthesia involved. Strange, but it works.
Escaping The Waiting Game
Here is another reason for Cosmetic Surgery Tourism? Timing. Back home, you might wait months—sometimes longer—for elective surgery.
Abroad, appointments are often faster, and that slots perfectly into a trip. You pick your destination, set the dates, and you’re in charge instead of waiting on a hospital calendar.
Tailored Packages For Seamless Journeys
Nobody’s winging this on their own either. Travel agencies, tourism boards, and even clinics themselves put together all-inclusive packages.
Pickups at the airport, a driver, comfy hotels, follow-up care, sometimes even guided tours once you’re okay to walk around.
It’s not just surgery anymore. It’s an experience, planned almost like a vacation package—with a side of self-improvement.
Cultural Immersion Alongside Renewal
And honestly, half the fun is mixing in the culture. People don’t just sit in bed the whole time—they go out, taste tapas in Barcelona, wander temples in Chiang Mai, or simply sit at a café and people-watch while recovering.
That blend of physical change and cultural immersion makes the trip more meaningful.
Almost like a pilgrimage—except instead of chasing spiritual enlightenment, you’re chasing both healing and adventure.
Moreover, Cosmetic Surgery Tourism allows for cultural mingling along with cosmetic transformation.
The Role Of Hospitality In Medical Travel
This isn’t the cold, clinical hospital vibe most of us picture. Clinics abroad often feel like boutique hotels.
Multilingual staff, plush waiting areas, coordinators who hold your hand through every step.
It has this old-school travel feel, when journeys themselves were meant to be savored.
Except here, you’re not just a patient—you’re a guest, and everything feels tailored.
Wellness Beyond The Procedure
And surgery’s just the headline. A lot of places weave in extras like yoga in Bali, mineral baths in Hungary, and Ayurveda in India.
Those little add-ons take recovery beyond physical, giving you that mental lift too.
It ties back to that saying—healthy body, healthy mind. Surgery plus wellness feels more complete, more lasting.
Building Global Friendships And Communities
Here’s something people don’t expect: the friendships. In recovery hotels or shared clinics, strangers from all over the world end up swapping stories.
Suddenly, you’ve got this mini community forming around shared experiences.
Even in the U.S., you’ll see the same vibe. Someone might go to New York for a smile makeover, then hit a Broadway show while they’re there.
Mixing medicine with culture just makes the whole thing stick in your memory.
Those seeking a comprehensive transformation of their smile, for instance, may explore a smile makeover in New York, where top-tier cosmetic dentists offer tailored treatments in the heart of Manhattan.
Like those old travel tales where strangers became lifelong friends on the road, patients today are finding that same connection.
Sustainability And The Future Of Cosmetic Surgery Tourism
With the industry booming, sustainability’s becoming part of the conversation.
Eco-resorts, green-certified clinics, and even responsible tourism options are sneaking into these packages.
People want transformation, but they also want to feel good about the impact of their choices.
It fits with the times. Just like picking organic food or a hybrid car, choosing an eco-friendly clinic feels right. It adds another layer of meaning to the trip.
A New Form Of Storytelling
And at the end of it all, everyone comes home with a story. Maybe it’s sipping tea in Istanbul during recovery.
Maybe it’s strolling Buenos Aires streets with bandages tucked under sunglasses. These aren’t just medical stories—they become part of life’s narrative.
Travel writing, but different. Instead of “the trip that changed my perspective,” it becomes “the trip that changed the way I see myself in the mirror.”
A New Chapter In Travel
With online consultations and digital planning, arranging this stuff has never been easier.
You don’t fly in blind. You know your surgeon, your package, and even your aftercare plan before you leave. This means less stress and more focus on the actual journey.
Begin Your Own Journey
Cosmetic tourism isn’t some fad. It’s an open invitation. A way to blend a little adventure with self-renewal.
So if you’ve been toying with the idea of change, maybe your next trip could give you more than just souvenirs.
Your transformation? It might be just one flight away.
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