ORLANDO, Fla., March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. NYSE: AAI, today launched flights at San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) with the help of professional Puerto Rican boxer and current World Boxing Association Welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, who threw a ceremonial "first punch" to announce AirTran Airways' arrival.
The airline also celebrated the new flights with traditional Puerto Rican music and dancers, who led Cotto, AirTran representatives and local dignitaries in a parade through the terminal prior to the official launch.
AirTran Airways will offer nonstop flights between San Juan and both Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Ga., and Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Fla. Travelers departing from San Juan can connect to 54 cities nationwide via Atlanta and Orlando.
"AirTran is thrilled and proud to land in San Juan. We'll be providing puertorriquenos with additional flights and easier access to the mainland, even as we bring tourists to Puerto Rico to enjoy the many attractions San Juan has to offer," said Paul Clements, general sales manager for AirTran Airways. "Passengers flying to and from San Juan will be able to enjoy our many amenities, including free XM Satellite Radio at every seat and EasyFit overhead bins."
"We're excited to welcome AirTran Airways into the family of airlines that service the island and view Puerto Rico as the perfect arena for growth and business development," said Terestella Gonzalez Denton, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. "The Puerto Rico Tourism Company has a proud and longstanding history of working alongside the airline industry to positively impact its business ventures. This new service will provide a viable travel option to and from the southeast U.S., home to some of our most popular markets".
The following nonstop flights between Atlanta and San Juan and Orlando and San Juan will begin March 5:
Nonstop Service Between Atlanta and San Juan
From To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
Atlanta San Juan 21 11:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Daily
San Juan Atlanta 485 4:30 p.m. 7:35 p.m. M,T,W,Th,F,Sun
San Juan Atlanta 10 4:35 p.m. 7:40 p.m. Saturday
Nonstop Service Between Orlando and San Juan
From To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
Orlando San Juan 481 10:45 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Daily
San Juan Orlando 460 3:20 p.m. 5:25 p.m. Daily
The flight times will change with daylight savings time on March 9, 2008:
Nonstop Service Between Atlanta and San Juan
From To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
Atlanta San Juan 21 11:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. Daily
San Juan Atlanta 485 3:30 p.m. 7:35 p.m. M,T,W,Th,F,Sun
San Juan Atlanta 10 3:30 p.m. 7:35 p.m. Saturday
Nonstop Service Between Orlando and San Juan
From To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
Orlando San Juan 481 10:45 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Daily
San Juan Orlando 460 2:20 p.m. 5:25 p.m. M,T,W,Th,Sa
San Juan Orlando 469 2:20 p.m. 5:25 p.m. Fri, Sun
The following nonstop flight between San Juan and Orlando will be added to the schedule beginning April 9, 2008:
Nonstop Service Between Orlando and San Juan beginning April 9
From To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
Orlando San Juan 3 1:05 p.m. 3:55 p.m. Daily
San Juan Orlando 4 4:40 p.m. 7:45 p.m. Daily
Following is a sample of fares* AirTran Airways will offer for its new flights to/from San Juan. Fares listed are one way, available daily and are valid in either direction:
Destination Sample 14-day Sample Walk-up Sample Business
Advanced Purchase Class
Atlanta $119 $184 $349
Orlando $69 $132 $339
AirTran Airways, a Fortune 1000 company, offers more than 700 affordable, daily flights to 58 U.S. destinations. With 8,900 friendly Crew Members and America's youngest all-Boeing fleet, AirTran Airways provides XM Satellite Radio and Business Class seating on every flight. For more information and free online booking, visit http://www.airtran.com.
*All fares are one-way. Lowest leisure and walk-up fares are non- refundable and a $75 fee per person applies to any change made after purchase, plus any applicable increase in airfare. Reservations may be obtained or changed through an AirTran Airways Telephone Reservations Center for an additional $10 per person. Lowest leisure fare is valid for travel on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Fares, routes, and schedules are subject to change without notice. Fares do not include per-segment tax of $3.50. A segment is defined as one takeoff and one landing. The September 11th security fee of up to $10 is not included. Airport Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18 are not included. Fares to/from Puerto Rico do not include additional government taxes of up to $30.80.
Media Contacts: AirTran Airways
Tad Hutcheson
Judy Graham-Weaver
Quinnie Jenkins
678.254.7442
Website: http://www.airtran.com//