'Twas the Night Before a Holiday Vacation ... Glide Through the Season with AirTran Airways' Holiday Travel Tips

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), is helping travelers navigate through the holiday season with the airline's annual holiday travel tips. For six years running, the low-cost carrier has been offering its tips of the trade to customers braving the bustling airports during the busy winter months.

"Your geographically distant family and friends will be thrilled to see you for the holidays, but the busy travel season can be frazzling," said Bob Fornaro, AirTran Airways' president and CEO. "AirTran Airways can help you focus more on the important things and less on your travel with our convenient online booking and check-in on http://www.airtran.com, efficient service to 56 destinations and 8,900 friendly Crew Members."

AirTran Airways offers the following list of travel tips and guidelines as a service to holiday travelers:

    -- Wrap Up the Packing Before Wrapping Presents -- Wrapped gifts might
       have to be unwrapped during security screenings.  Consider shipping
       gifts ahead of time.  Do not carry wrapped gifts you have received from
       others.
    -- Don't Let Your Valuables Become Someone Else's Stocking Stuffers --
       Place your medicine, jewelry, cameras, and other valuables in your
       carry-on baggage.
    -- Remember to Leave Time for the Airport "Holidaze" -- During the busy
       holidays, anticipate possible slowdowns caused by heavy traffic,
       crowded airport parking lots and busy ticket counters and security
       checkpoints.  AirTran Airways recommends passengers arrive at the
       airport a minimum of 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure.
    -- The Sleigh Can Only Hold So Much -- On the aircraft, you are allowed
       one carry-on bag and one personal item.  A personal item is defined as
       a purse, briefcase, diaper bag or laptop computer bag.  Per FAA
       regulations, both the carry-on bag and the personal item must fit
       underneath the seat in front of you or in the EasyFit overhead bins.
    -- Santa Can Find You, but the Airport Needs Your Help -- A baggage tag
       with your name, home address and telephone number must be placed on the
       outside of your bag.  It is also a good idea to put your home address,
       telephone number, destination address and telephone number inside your
       bag.
    -- The New Year's Clock is Ticking -- Baggage may be checked at the
       airport no more than four hours prior to departure time and no fewer
       than 30 minutes prior to departure at most cities.  For individual
       airport times, please check our Contract of Carriage on
       http://www.airtran.com.
    -- More Convenient Than Travel by Reindeer -- Check in for your flights up
       to 24 hours prior to departure with our Online Flight Check-In on
       http://www.airtran.com.  You will be able to select your seat
       assignment, print
       your boarding passes, and print a receipt from your computer.
    -- Three is the Magic Number -- Per the TSA's recent guidelines, travelers
       can now bring liquids, gels and aerosols into their carry-on luggage.
       The items must be stored in containers no larger than three ounces and
       must be housed in a single, quart-sized zip-top, clear plastic bag.
    -- Nothing Should be Roasting by an Open Fire -- All lighters and matches
       are prohibited in carry-on items.  However, lighters without fuel are
       allowed in checked baggage and lighters with fuel are only allowed in
       checked baggage if they meet guidelines set forth by the Department of
       Transportation.  As a rule of thumb, AirTran Airways recommends leaving
       the lighters at home.
    -- Leave the Carving Knives at Home -- Security requirements prohibit
       passengers from taking certain items in their carry-on bags, which
       include: knives of any length, cutting instruments (any kind) including
       carpet knives, box cutters and folding or retractable blades regardless
       of blade length or composition.  Straight razors are prohibited but
       disposable razors, e.g. Bic, are allowed.
    -- Unlock the Holiday Cheer -- The TSA recommends that you leave your
       baggage unlocked as it may be inspected during the security screening
       process.
    -- From Holiday Bells to Elf Shoes -- All Subject to X-Ray -- At the
       screening checkpoint, be prepared to take your shoes off, empty your
       pockets of all metal and remove laptops from your carry-on baggage.
    -- You Aren't as Recognizable as Santa -- Bring Your ID -- AirTran
       Airways' security procedures require that all travelers 18 years of age
       and older show a government-issued photo ID, such as a valid driver's
       license, a passport or military ID.  If you do not have one of the
       above, you may show two forms of non-photo ID, at least one of which
       must be issued by a local, state or federal government agency such as
       the following: birth certificate, Medicare card, voter registration
       card, Social Security card.  Ensure that the name on your itinerary
       matches the name on your identification.
    -- Get Milk to Wash Down Your Holiday Cookies After the Security Line --
       The TSA has eased its ban on beverages.  Travelers are now allowed to
       bring thirst-quenchers onto an airplane, but only if they are purchased
       at the airport past the security checkpoint.
    -- Peace of Mind: The Airport's Gift to You -- Only ticketed passengers
       may proceed past the security screening checkpoint.  Due to heightened
       security measures, passengers may experience the following:
        -- Increased number of uniformed law enforcement and security
           personnel
        -- Reduced access points to secured areas at airports
        -- Towing of unattended vehicles near the terminals
        -- Heightened awareness of unattended bags
        -- Requests for ID and receipt/itinerary for travel
        -- Prohibition on the sale of knifelike items

For more information on permitted or prohibited items, visit the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Website at www.tsa.gov.

AirTran Airways, a Fortune 1000 company, offers more than 700 affordable, daily flights to 55 U.S. destinations. With 8,900 friendly Crew Members and America's youngest all-Boeing fleet, AirTran Airways provides XM Satellite Radio and Business Class seating on every flight. For more information and free online booking, visit http://www.airtran.com.

    Media Contact:   AirTran Airways
                     Tad Hutcheson
                     Judy Graham-Weaver
                     David Hirschman
                     678.254.7442