Airtran

In 2010, announced it would acquire AirTran for $1.4 billion to gain access to key markets like Atlanta and international routes to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Unlike typical "no-frills" budget airlines, AirTran carved out a niche by offering premium perks at low prices.

: The airline was the global launch customer for the Boeing 717 , a modern, fuel-efficient aircraft that became the backbone of its fleet. The "Citrus" Legacy in Atlanta airtran

: Southwest eventually retired the AirTran brand and sent its specialized Boeing 717 fleet to Delta. Today, memorabilia from the "big little a" is preserved at Southwest's headquarters in Dallas.

AirTran:the business model for the Majors? - Aviation Strategy In 2010, announced it would acquire AirTran for $1

: They were known for humorous commercials, including one that mocked Southwest's "cattle call" boarding process by showing people in cow costumes. The End of an Era

: In a rare corporate maneuver, the much larger ValuJet purchased the smaller, Orlando-based AirTran Airways in 1997 and adopted its name to shed its negative reputation. Innovative Business Model The "Citrus" Legacy in Atlanta : Southwest eventually

: In 2009, AirTran became the first U.S. airline to offer GoGo in-flight Wi-Fi on every aircraft in its fleet.