Best low-fare airline: AirTran Airways

Entrepreneur, April, 2004

Since AirTran walked away with the Best Low-Fare Airline award two years ago, it has continued on a slow and deliberate path to success, winning over the hearts and wallets of value-conscious business travelers fed up with major airlines. From its main hub in Atlanta, AirTran now flies nonstop to more than 40 cities, using a fleet of all brand-new Boeing 717's.

AirTran fares rarely exceed $100 each way for tickets bought at least 21 days in advance. And walk-up fares rarely exceed $299 each way. There's never a Saturday night stay-over requirement. AirTran also offers a simple frequent-flier program, which rewards members with a free, one-way flight for every eight segments flown. Standby upgrades to its business class cabin (identical to the major airlines' first class) cost $35 to $50. AirTran also offers a special program for small businesses--called the A2B Corporate Travel Program--which provides member companies with easier access to upgrades, reduced restrictions and waived change fees.

Last year, AirTran broadened its mostly East Coast/Midwest presence with new nonstops between Atlanta and Denver, Los Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, DC, with fares as low as $100 each way. It's also developing secondary hubs in Baltimore, Dallas and Philadelphia.

Don't confuse AirTran with American Trans Air (ATA), another low-fare carrier operating out of Chicago, which was a close runner-up for this year's award.

Visit www.airtran.com, or call (800) AIR TRAN.