It's Official - Air Tran; Hello Southwest
05-02-2011, 09:19 AM
#1
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Joined APC: Jun 2009
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It's Official - Air Tran; Hello Southwest
Dear AirTran Airways Crew Members:
It brings me great joy and tremendous pride to announce today that Southwest Airlines has closed on the
transaction to acquire AirTran Holdings, Inc., the parent company of AirTran Airways. It’s not every day
that two successful Companies leave a significant mark on history, while charting a course for an even
brighter future. In fact, I’d say it’s a rare occurrence.
Today is an historic day for both Southwest and AirTran, and it’s also the birth of our future together as one
Company, one Airline, one Family. Today, we let the ink dry and celebrate. Celebrate this monumental
occasion, celebrate the hard work that brought us to this point, celebrate our People, and celebrate our
future together.
All good things take time – and change will not be immediate. There are many important decisions yet to
be made, many questions still to answer. One important change that does happen today is that we can
now communicate more freely as we move closer to integrating the two airlines into one. We must assure
our Customers that their travel plans and investments in our respective loyalty programs are secure; they
will continue to earn and redeem in both programs independently; they will continue booking Southwest
flights through
It brings me great joy and tremendous pride to announce today that Southwest Airlines has closed on the
transaction to acquire AirTran Holdings, Inc., the parent company of AirTran Airways. It’s not every day
that two successful Companies leave a significant mark on history, while charting a course for an even
brighter future. In fact, I’d say it’s a rare occurrence.
Today is an historic day for both Southwest and AirTran, and it’s also the birth of our future together as one
Company, one Airline, one Family. Today, we let the ink dry and celebrate. Celebrate this monumental
occasion, celebrate the hard work that brought us to this point, celebrate our People, and celebrate our
future together.
All good things take time – and change will not be immediate. There are many important decisions yet to
be made, many questions still to answer. One important change that does happen today is that we can
now communicate more freely as we move closer to integrating the two airlines into one. We must assure
our Customers that their travel plans and investments in our respective loyalty programs are secure; they
will continue to earn and redeem in both programs independently; they will continue booking Southwest
flights through
southwest.com and AirTran flights through airtran.com; and we will maintain our
respective and separate operating and service policies. We will work together over the next several days,
weeks, and months to answer many of your questions as we transition into one unified Company—
Southwest Airlines.
In the meantime, continue doing what you’ve always done—which is to Safely deliver world-class
Customer Service, operate efficiently, and take care of each other. Again, it may take several months to
begin blending policies and procedures across both airlines. For now, we will continue to operate as
separate airlines as we work to obtain approval for operating under one Federal Aviation Administration
certificate and ultimately one fully-integrated airline. Once integration is complete, we will have one Brand,
one Customer Experience, one livery, one operation under a Single Operating Certificate, and one
Mission.
Operating as one combined carrier, we have the opportunity to achieve what is otherwise unattainable in
today’s environment—growth, and to do so in a way that is both profitable and successful. Combined, we
have the unique opportunity to extend our network into key markets that would be impossible
independently. We now have the opportunity to serve more than 100 million Customers annually from
more than 100 different airports in the U.S. and near-international destinations. We can grow and expand
our network to provide Customers more low fare options into exciting new places. I’m excited just thinking
about the opportunities.
-more-
respective and separate operating and service policies. We will work together over the next several days,
weeks, and months to answer many of your questions as we transition into one unified Company—
Southwest Airlines.
In the meantime, continue doing what you’ve always done—which is to Safely deliver world-class
Customer Service, operate efficiently, and take care of each other. Again, it may take several months to
begin blending policies and procedures across both airlines. For now, we will continue to operate as
separate airlines as we work to obtain approval for operating under one Federal Aviation Administration
certificate and ultimately one fully-integrated airline. Once integration is complete, we will have one Brand,
one Customer Experience, one livery, one operation under a Single Operating Certificate, and one
Mission.
Operating as one combined carrier, we have the opportunity to achieve what is otherwise unattainable in
today’s environment—growth, and to do so in a way that is both profitable and successful. Combined, we
have the unique opportunity to extend our network into key markets that would be impossible
independently. We now have the opportunity to serve more than 100 million Customers annually from
more than 100 different airports in the U.S. and near-international destinations. We can grow and expand
our network to provide Customers more low fare options into exciting new places. I’m excited just thinking
about the opportunities.
-more-
AirTran Airways Special A-Line Monday, May 2, 2011
2
Southwest and AirTran currently have many synergies, and once combined, these will serve as our core
strengths. Both carriers have a low cost structure, which allows low fares and provides a competitive
advantage over high-cost carriers. We both provide legendary Customer Service, which allows us to win
more Customers and earn their loyalty. We both have unique Cultures with high morale and extraordinary
People, which makes work Fun. And we both have a lot to learn from each other, which can only make us
stronger together. Combined, we can strive for financial stability and prosperity, job security, and growth.
Change is never easy, and I can guarantee you that there will be some challenges ahead. One thing that I
ask of each and every one of you is to go into this process with an open mind and a willingness to learn
from each other. Indeed, the success or failure of this joint Mission will ultimately depend on each of us
and all of us. Our future prosperity lies in our own hands. The opportunities ahead of us are endless, and
the sky is the limit as to what we can accomplish - together.
Forty years ago, Southwest Airlines embarked on a bold Mission to give Americans the Freedom to Fly. At
that time in 1971, only 15 percent of Americans had ever flown. Today, that number is well over 85
percent, thanks to low-cost, low-fare airlines like Southwest and AirTran. Together, we embark on another
bold Mission—to give the world the Freedom to Fly.
To quote one of my personal heroes, Winston Churchill, “…come then, let us go forward with our united
strength.” Be bold; dream big; work hard; stand strong; and take care of each other. Together, as one
Company, one Family, we will spread low fares farther across the globe. Together, with our united
strength, we will win.
Gary Kelly
strengths. Both carriers have a low cost structure, which allows low fares and provides a competitive
advantage over high-cost carriers. We both provide legendary Customer Service, which allows us to win
more Customers and earn their loyalty. We both have unique Cultures with high morale and extraordinary
People, which makes work Fun. And we both have a lot to learn from each other, which can only make us
stronger together. Combined, we can strive for financial stability and prosperity, job security, and growth.
Change is never easy, and I can guarantee you that there will be some challenges ahead. One thing that I
ask of each and every one of you is to go into this process with an open mind and a willingness to learn
from each other. Indeed, the success or failure of this joint Mission will ultimately depend on each of us
and all of us. Our future prosperity lies in our own hands. The opportunities ahead of us are endless, and
the sky is the limit as to what we can accomplish - together.
Forty years ago, Southwest Airlines embarked on a bold Mission to give Americans the Freedom to Fly. At
that time in 1971, only 15 percent of Americans had ever flown. Today, that number is well over 85
percent, thanks to low-cost, low-fare airlines like Southwest and AirTran. Together, we embark on another
bold Mission—to give the world the Freedom to Fly.
To quote one of my personal heroes, Winston Churchill, “…come then, let us go forward with our united
strength.” Be bold; dream big; work hard; stand strong; and take care of each other. Together, as one
Company, one Family, we will spread low fares farther across the globe. Together, with our united
strength, we will win.
Gary Kelly
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Southwest AirlinesGoodBye Alpa, Hello SWAPA!
Last edited by Bunkbed Express; 05-02-2011 at 06:24 PM.
05-04-2011, 09:44 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: in front of a computer screen
Posts: 712
Interesting he mentions: "opportunity to achieve what is otherwise unattainable in
today’s environment—growth". Has SWA come to the point where they can no longer grow organically and has to purchase another for growth? Maybe I'm just reading to much into that comment?
today’s environment—growth". Has SWA come to the point where they can no longer grow organically and has to purchase another for growth? Maybe I'm just reading to much into that comment?
05-04-2011, 10:00 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2008
Position: 737 right
Posts: 121
Originally Posted by shiftwork
Interesting he mentions: "opportunity to achieve what is otherwise unattainable in
today’s environment—growth". Has SWA come to the point where they can no longer grow organically and has to purchase another for growth? Maybe I'm just reading to much into that comment?
today’s environment—growth". Has SWA come to the point where they can no longer grow organically and has to purchase another for growth? Maybe I'm just reading to much into that comment?
05-04-2011, 11:16 AM
#8
No longer cares
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: 767er Captain
Posts: 12,109
Originally Posted by shiftwork
Interesting he mentions: "opportunity to achieve what is otherwise unattainable in
today’s environment—growth". Has SWA come to the point where they can no longer grow organically and has to purchase another for growth? Maybe I'm just reading to much into that comment?
today’s environment—growth". Has SWA come to the point where they can no longer grow organically and has to purchase another for growth? Maybe I'm just reading to much into that comment?
05-04-2011, 01:18 PM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: 737 Right
Posts: 1,385
Has SWA come to the point where they can no longer grow organically and has to purchase another for growth?
The big issue is fuel prices.
I don't think the purchase is the growth he's talking about. I think he's talking about leveraging the new destinations that we can connect between the two systems, and that we've removed a major competitor on some common routes.
However, I'm just a pilot, I don't go to the board meetings.
05-04-2011, 01:50 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: B737/Capt
Posts: 998
Originally Posted by 1Seat 1Engine
That's no secret. The CEO's been saying it for years and we haven't hired anyone since 2007 until this year.
The big issue is fuel prices.
I don't think the purchase is the growth he's talking about. I think he's talking about leveraging the new destinations that we can connect between the two systems, and that we've removed a major competitor on some common routes.
However, I'm just a pilot, I don't go to the board meetings.
The big issue is fuel prices.
I don't think the purchase is the growth he's talking about. I think he's talking about leveraging the new destinations that we can connect between the two systems, and that we've removed a major competitor on some common routes.
However, I'm just a pilot, I don't go to the board meetings.
Until this year it is Sept 2008 actually (hiring).
The Oscar
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