From Opening Night to Opening Flight; The Color Purple Debuts Aboard AirTran Airways Flight

From Opening Night to Opening Flight; The Color Purple Debuts Aboard AirTran Airways Flight

AirTran brings Broadway to Chicago with First Ever In-Flight Broadway Performance

CHICAGO, March 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI), took in-flight entertainment to new heights today, as the cast from the Broadway hit, The Color Purple, surprised Chicago travelers with the first ever in-flight Broadway performance. The historic in-flight debut celebrated AirTran Airways' new nonstop service from Chicago to New York.

"As a Chicago native, I'm thrilled that AirTran Airways offers nonstop service from Chicago to New York," stated Felicia Fields, Sofia in The Color Purple. "And, with AirTran Airways' low fares, my family in Chicago now has more options to see our show in New York."

Passengers aboard AirTran Airways Flight 883 experienced the best seats in the house for the best show in the sky, all while traveling on the first ever Broadway stage -- AirTran Airways' Boeing 717 aircraft. Complete with playbills and stage lights, the cast of The Color Purple brought the thrill of the New York stage to Chicago travelers.

"Whether it's Broadway or Wall Street, AirTran Airways is providing Chicago travelers a convenient, low-fare option to get to the Big Apple," said Bob Fornaro, AirTran Airways president and chief operations officer. "With a comfortable Business Class, assigned seating and everyday low fares, Chicagoans can now see a show or finalize a deal with affordable, high-quality service."

In addition to the daily nonstop flights from Chicago's Midway International Airport to New York/Newark Liberty International Airport, the airline also operates nonstop daily service to Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Sarasota/Bradenton and Orlando. With new nonstop service to Charlotte and Dallas/Ft. Worth starting May 9, the airline will operate 32 daily departures from Chicago Midway to eight nonstop destinations by mid-May 2006.

AirTran Airways added the following daily nonstop flights to/from New York/Newark:

Nonstop Service between Chicago (Midway) and New York/Newark

From To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
Chicago (Midway) New York/Newark 881 7:15 a.m. 10:19 a.m. Daily
Chicago (Midway) New York/Newark 883 12:00 p.m. 3:04 p.m. Daily
Chicago (Midway) New York/Newark 885 3:06 p.m. 6:10 p.m. Daily

From To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
New York/Newark Chicago (Midway) 880 9:59 a.m. 11:25 a.m. Daily
New York/Newark Chicago (Midway) 882 3:39 p.m. 5:05 p.m. Daily
New York/Newark Chicago (Midway) 884 6:53 p.m. 8:19 p.m. Daily

About AirTran Airways

AirTran Airways, one of America's largest low-fare airlines with 7,000 friendly, professional Crew Members, operates over 600 daily flights to 50 destinations. The airline's hub is at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where it is the second largest carrier. AirTran Airways recently added the fuel-efficient Boeing 737-700 aircraft to create America's youngest all-Boeing fleet. The airline is also the first carrier to install XM Satellite Radio on a commercial aircraft. For reservations or more information, visit http://www.airtran.com/ (America Online Keyword: AirTran).

About The Color Purple

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book and with a score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, The Color Purple is an inspiring and unforgettable story about hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life. Since its opening December 1, 2005, The Color Purple has played to sold out houses at the Broadway Theatre in New York City and has been hailed a "Broadway hit!" by USA Today. The Color Purple is produced by well-known Chicagoans, Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones, among others.

Media Contacts: Tad Hutcheson
tad.hutcheson@airtran.com
678.254.7442

Judy Graham-Weaver
judy.graham-weaver@airtran.com
678.254.7448

Source: AirTran Airways

CONTACT: Tad Hutcheson, +1-678-254-7442, tad.hutcheson@airtran.com, or
Judy Graham-Weaver, +1-678-254-7448, judy.graham-weaver@airtran.com, both of
AirTran Airways

Web site: http://www.airtran.com/

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