AirTran Airways and Orlando/Orange County CVB Partner With 'Orlando Makes Me Smile' Plane - Low Cost Carrier Celebrates Partnership by Placing Logo on Aircraft -

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), and the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (OOCVB) recently unveiled a new look for one of AirTran Airways’ Boeing 717 aircraft.  The specially marked jet sports the OOCVB’s latest marketing campaign slogan, “Orlando Makes Me Smile.�

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090807/NY58429 )

The customized aircraft celebrates AirTran Airways’ partnership with the OOCVB to promote travel to the city, one of the world’s top destinations. The aircraft will travel throughout the United States sporting the logo for up to six months.    

“To honor AirTran Airways’ partnership with the OOCVB, we have placed their ‘Orlando Makes Me Smile’ logo on the side of one of our aircraft,� said Tad Hutcheson, vice president of marketing and planning for AirTran Airways.  “By partnering with them, we hope to encourage more of our passengers around the country to visit Orlando, where AirTran is headquartered.�

AirTran Airways and the OOCVB have been partners for years and have collaborated on several other key initiatives to promote Orlando, including a specially designed aircraft for last year’s campaign, “Say Yes to Orlando.�

“The ‘Orlando Makes Me Smile’ message has been embraced worldwide and represents one of our destinations greatest assets, the lasting memories that make visitors smile. I’m excited for this opportunity with AirTran Airways and truly believe that Orlando’s greatest story is the combination of experiences at a great value that provide smiles to all ages,� said Gary Sain, president and CEO of the OOCVB.

The OOCVB is the official branding, sales and marketing organization for the Orlando area, responsible for generating brand awareness, increasing travel to the area and booking conventions and meetings. For more information, visit orlandoinfo.com

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI) and a Fortune 1000 company, has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past two years. AirTran Airways is the only major airline with Wi-Fi on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet. Its low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit http://www.airtran.com.