AirTran Airways "Elton One" promotes satellite radio

Airline Industry Information, Feb 9, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

AirTran Airways is to promote the launch of satellite radio availability in each passenger seat with images of Elton John.

The airline will reportedly be using images of the singer on 20 of its aircraft. AirTran spokesman Tad Hutcheson said that an air traffic controller had called one of the flights "Elton One".

According to AirTran, which has declined to disclose the details of the deal with the singer, the XM Satellite Radio systems will provide more than 100 channels of news, music, weather and entertainment. The airline has however said that it plans to give the singer a six-foot-long model of an aircraft and a USD50,000 donation for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, The Associated Press reported.

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