Busy holiday travel this week. Elise Amendola / AP file
It's looking like the holiday's are getting off to a good economic start and I'm not talking about Black Friday or Cyber Monday here.
According to an AirTran press release issued yesterday, the low cost carrier expects a 5 percent increase in the number of customers it will serve from Monday, November 23rd through Monday, November 30th, 2009.
Approximately 600,000 customers will fly AirTran this Thanksgiving Holiday with service to more than 60 cities. The airline makes it's home hub here in Atlanta at Hartsfield Jackson International - the world's busiest airport with an expected 1.7 million people moving through the airport over the holiday.
"This Thanksgiving travel season and every day, we are thankful for our loyal customers," said Tad Hutcheson, vice president of marketing and sales for AirTran Airways. "Offering customers a unique combination of high-quality services like Wi-Fi, Business Class, assigned seating and XM Satellite Radio on every flight along with a convenient schedule and low-fares puts us in a unique position in the industry."
The number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating appears for now to be the exception rather than the norm however. The ATA (Air Transport Association) is predicting a 4 percent decline in the number of passengers this Thanksgiving holiday. With two of the three busiest travel days yet to come this week, it will be interesting if one - the other - or both predictions from AirTran and the ATA turn out to be accurate.
AirTran is encouraging an estimated arrival of 90 minutes before flight if not checking bags and two hours if you're checking bags. Security procedures at Transportation Security Administration security checkpoints could add further delays in getting to the gate. The airline is also recommending that passengers utilize AirTran's on-line check in at www.airtran.com to speed your way through this busy holiday travel week.
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