Condor Airlines: Is Booking Tickets On Condor Worth It?

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 22, 2023

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. Read More: Top 10 Airports In The USA: Navigating Excellence In Air Travel Reviews From AirTran Flyers Image Source: chestertravels.com 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. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask, then please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! Read Also: This Is My Experience With Eva Air! This Is What I Felt About Aruba Airlines! Flair Airlines Review: This Is How I Feel About Flair Airlines! Fly In Style: Your Ultimate Guide To Lot Polish Airlines Adventures!

BY  Subham Saha Apr 27, 2021

Are you in Kansas City? Welcome to the world’s barbecue city. Kansas is popular for its servings of a wide range of different menus of barbeques and ribs. If you are searching for the best BBQ in Kansas City, we must say that all the downtown BBQ restaurants in Kansas have a very popular range of BBQ dishes.  The Kansas City BBQ menus are pretty impressive, with perfectly caramelized outside and juicy meat inside. Both blanks of  Missouri rivers are full of different barbecue joints. If you are a new traveler visiting the blanks of Missouri and searching for the best BBQ restaurant in KC, The downtown food network Kansas City BBQ is so very popular. So, this food item is conquering the permanent place in many travel channels’ best BBQ recipes. Best BBQ In Kansas City: These Are The Top 6 Joints  BBQ in Kansas City is much beyond a delicacy or food item. It has history and for many African-American families, BBQ is like a heirloom or the tapestry of family traditions. What started with Henry Perry in the 1920s, has now become an identity of the city.  So, let’s check out the six top picks of KC BBQ joints. 1. Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que Yelp Rating: 4.6 https://www.instagram.com/p/DAoK32EtlaF/?img_index=1 Do you know the best food in Kansas City? Are you a steak or ribs lover? When you are in Kansas City, you must enjoy Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, which is one of the best BBQs in Kansas City.  This joint is quite popular among the locals and tourists. Joe’s Kansas City BBQ locations are just in the middle of the city. Further, this joint is popular for its unique beef dish, the Z Man sandwich.  The sandwich filler is a slow-smoked beef brisket along with provolone cheese and crispy onion rings. Further, the slow-cooked beef here perfectly preserves the moisture inside it and the perfectly crispy caramelized out layer. The cheese and crispy onion rings add the best flavor to the dish.  This is the reason Joe’s BBQ Kansas City is one of the most famous barbeque joints in Kansas.  2. Arthur Bryant’s Yelp Rating: 3.6 https://www.instagram.com/p/C_BbQXWJM8Q/?hl=en Arthur Bryant’s is the king of ribs. It serves perfectly cooked ribs and briskets. The master of slow cooking, it uses a special kind of BBQ sauce to increase the spicy and juicy texture of the meat.  They not only serve the sauce with the dishes. You can simply buy the bottles of sauce and take them to your home. The entirely organic and slow cooking method turns this juicy meat into a delicious mouth-watering platter. The meat here, smoked with hickory and oak wood, is very flavourful. 3. Q39 Yelp Rating: 4.5 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq5vjgVs1hS/?img_index=1 Q39 relatively new barbeque joint in Kansas. If you are searching for the best BBQ in Overland Park KS, the south branch of the Q39 is the closest one.  Though Q39 is a new one than Joe’s and Arther’s, within a short period of time, it has conquered its permanent position in the list of the best BBQ in Kansas City. Q39 BBQ is an entirely chef-driven barbeque joint. Rob Magee and his wife Kelly brought this unique BBQ experience to Kansas City in 2014. Within just years, the popularity of these joints has been sky-high. From the ambiance to every dish, the restaurant is preserving the unique orthodox atmosphere. And the chef maintains the authentic taste of spice and herbs in every dish. 4. Jones BBQ Yelp Rating: 4.1 https://www.instagram.com/p/CkgFrOxtmyZ/ Here comes the name of one of the oldest BBQ joints in Kansas City. Jones Sisters have been running these BBQ joints for thirty years.  First, their father, Leavy B. Jones Sr. established the restaurants, and these two sisters have carried their father’s legacy of serving a perfectly cooked, delicious smoked BBQ. Along with every dish they are going to serve you their special BBQ sauce. The recipe of the sauce is carried forward from generation to generation in the Jones family.  This place has the best BBQ in Kansas City as they offer an orthodox-style BBQ with flavourful secret sauce. 5. Woodyard Bar-B-Que Yelp Rating: 3.8 https://www.instagram.com/p/CruGv6OrWBm/ Do you love the authentic taste of wood and brick ovens? This Woodyard Bar-B-Que is offering the best BBQ in Kansas City.  The traditional way of cooking ribs is not only the attraction of the place. You can taste the delicious juicy meat under the blue sky. The outdoor dining facility of the BBQ junction is the best one.  And guess what? This is the last one old restaurant that provides the facility of the outdoor bricks and smoked meat.  When you are searching for a barbecue near me while roaming around Merriam Lane, this is the best option you can get there. 6. Slap’s BBQ Yelp Rating: 4.5 https://www.instagram.com/p/CnKWsimjPR6/ Meet the kids of the BBQ junctions, a very new one, in the Kansas BBQ world. Within this short period of time, Slap’s BBQ has conquered its place in the hearts of many BBQ lovers.  Burnt End sandwich is the most popular and one of the best BBQ platters in Kansas City. Along with the BBQ ribs, pork, chicken, and potato salad are also available here.  Burnt End ribs are another great choice for the southern sandwich with pulled pork and juicy sweet potato salad. All the sauces are perfectly balanced with the great taste of herbs and spices. Wrapping It Up: When you are in the BBQ city of the world, you do not have to take any headaches to find the best BBQ in Kansas City. Almost every corner of the streets is filled up with various types of different street BBQ corners.  Further, if you are asking our suggestion, we would say every one of them is quite impressive as their platters. However, these six BBQ junctions are outstanding as their meals.  So, where are you planning to go to in Kansas City to taste the amazing quality food? Do not forget to share your experiences with us. You May Also Like:  Top 10 Most Popular Paraguay Food That You Must Try Batista Restaurant Las Vegas – Restaurant Info, Ratings & Reviews 8 Best Bachelor Party Destinations To Visit In 2021

BY  Sibashree Dec 18, 2024

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, the Olympic National Park covers an area of 922,650 acres. Also, 95 percent of this national park is designated wilderness.  Further, it is a rare coexistence of temperate rainforest and Alpine highlands. Also, you will find many lakeshores here. Moreover, when at the park, you can see the Pacific Coastline, which is pristine and wild. In addition, the National Park is home to snow-capped mountains like Mount Olympus, Mount Deception, and Mount Constance.  It will be an endless discussion if I talk about the attractions in the Olympic National Park. So, I decided to write an account of how I spent my day here. Entry Fee: $10 for Each PersonEntry Fee for Vehicles: $25Visitor Centers: Hoh Rain ForestHurricane RidgePort AngelesLake Quinault A Day At The Olympic National Park: Exploring The Best Views And Trails  The Olympic National Park, with its designated wilderness, has many amazing viewpoints. Of course, the Hurricane Ridge is the best sport to cherish a 360-degree view of the park.  Further, if you are here for some serious adventure, you can trek to Mount Storm King for a panoramic view of the park and its surroundings. Moreover, hiking through the steep trails and switchbacks is completely worth it. As you conquer the elevation of 609 meters, you will find the surreal Lake Crescent below. The water of the lake looks deep blue. Also, if you want to visit the shores along the Pacific Coast, you can visit Kalaloch and Ruby Beach. In addition, these are the places or hotspots in the Olympic National Park. 1. Hurricane Ridge Hurricane Ridge, a famous spot in the Olympic National Park for beautiful views, is also home to Olympic marmots. It comes with an elevation of 2064 meters, and it is at the epicenter of many adventurous activities in the park. Snowboarding and skiing are the most popular adventure activities here. Moreover, in the spring season, Hurricane Ridge gets filled with wildflowers.  2. Lake Crescent The thousand-year-old lake at the Olympic National Park will take you on a time travel. You can have the most immersive experience her,e looking at the icy blue water of the lake. Further, if you are looking for something adventurous, you can try camping, boating, and hiking here.  Moreover, Lake Crescent is home to the Crescenti Trout. You will hardly find this species of fish anywhere else in the world. Beardslee is another species of fish only found in Lake Crescent. You will find many hiking trails near Lake Crescent. I loved the walk to Marymere Falls.  3. Sol Duc Falls The Sol Duc Valley in the Olympic National Park comes with many hiking trails. Among them, the path leading to the Sol Duc Falls is the most beautiful. You have to walk for around a mile to reach the waterfall.  You can even hike to Mink Lake or the Lover’s Lane to see Sol Duc Falls. However, these are longer routes in comparison to the trail starting from the Sol Duc Valley.  Moreover, as you reach the Sol Duc River here, you will find coho salmon in abundance. If you visit the place from late October to late November, you will find salmon leaping over the waterfall to reach the river. The place is famous as Salmon Cascades Overlook.  4. Peabody Creek Trail The Peabody Creek Trail is a short nature trail near the Olympic National Park Visitor Center. The trail starts from the parking lot, and it is a path in the park that you can access year-round. As you walk through the trail, you will find many picnic benches. So, it is a great place to explore with your family.  The trail loop with a moderate difficulty level will take you to Peabody Creek. Once you reach the destination, you can stick to the North and start hiking on the adjacent Aldwell Nature Trail to return to the Visitor Center.  Overall, it is a 5.2-mile hike and back journey.  5. Mora and Rialto Beach When you are immersed in the beauty of Lake Crescent and make a further move, go to the southwest. At a distance of 40 miles, you will find Mora and Rialto Beach. Here, you will experience how powerful nature can be. Also, the experience I had here is “dramatic” or “intense.” Moreover, when you are at Mora and Rialto Beach, you will see the best marine animals, like whales, sea lions, otters, eagles, and different seabirds.  If you want to spend longer at this pristine place and soak in the energy here, you can plan camping. You can even hike through the James Pond Trail.  6. Staircase The Olympic National Park has this staircase on its southeastern corner. As I visited this place, it felt like entering a kingdom of douglas fir. Further, here, you will find the Skokomish River. Many hiking trails run along this river to the forests.  You must take a walk through the trail over the bridge leading to the North Fork Skokomish River. Hiking through the old forest is the most serene experience you can expect.  The Shady Lane Trail is another path, and at the end of this trail, you will find the most beautiful Lake Cushman. Moreover, if you are ready to walk those extra miles and take some serious challenges, you can plan a hike to Flapjack Lakes.  When you are tired of hiking or exploring the Staircase at Olympic National Park, you can enjoy a relaxing bath at the swimming spots.  7. Olympic National Park Main Visitor Center And Wilderness Information Center https://www.instagram.com/p/CvP2IpYLM8o/?img_index=1 The Olympic National Park Main Visitor Center And Wilderness Information Center will be your first stop as you start exploring the national park. Here, you will see the “Mosaic of Diversity.” It is an orientation film about the diversity and beauty of the park. Further, if you are traveling with kids, they will have the most amazing time at the Discovery Room. After knowing about the cultural and natural history of the park, you can make your move to visit the other attractions. The Visitor and Information Center remains open from 8 AM to 5 PM every day and the knowledgeable rangers and staff there will guide you in your journey to the park. As you step out of the visitor center, you will find two short nature trails leading to different parts of the park. Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. From Cocktails To Kickflips: Must-Try Activities In San Diego.