AirTran Airways Offers New Nonstop Service from Newport News

AirTran Airways has recently announced plans to expand its flight offerings out of Newport News/Williamsburg, Virginia. The recent announcement adds one daily round trip flight from the Newport News area to Tampa, Florida. This new service is addition to flights to Atlanta, Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, and New York-LaGuardia. AirTran has seen a drastic increase in traffic from Newport News, as have many other airlines, and thus decided to add yet another flight from the airport.

The new flight is currently scheduled to begin February 14, allowing for booking the ever busy spring break season seen in Florida during the spring. The flight is primarily aimed at vacation travelers, but will allow for some connections if needed in Tampa. The flight leaves Newport News at 11:01AM and is scheduled for a two hour and ten minute block time, putting arrival into Tampa, Florida at 1:11PM. The return flight departs Tampa at 2:09PM and is scheduled for a two hour block time, putting the arrival into the Newport News area at 4:09PM. While AirTran Airways prides itself on offering flights designed for vacationers and business travelers, this flight is clearly aimed at the vacation traveler.

AirTran Airways Vice-President of planning Kevin Healy said the following about the newly revealed flight. "AirTran Airways is pleased to give Hampton Roads residents more convenience and lower fares with this new flight to Tampa, one of our most popular Florida destinations. And we're glad to provide Floridians easy access to colonial Williamsburg. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, passengers will save money while they relax on one of our new Boeing aircraft."

While in the past, flying to Tampa from the Newport News area was possible on AirTran, the nonstop flight will remove the need for a connecting flight, in AirTran's hub of Atlanta. By allowing passengers to avoid the congestion of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, one of the most chronically delayed airports in the country. By avoiding this congestion, travelers are able to save upwards of two hours of travel time, offering much convenience for a slightly higher price of the non-stop flight.

About AirTran Airways: AirTran Airways operates a fleet of all Boeing aircraft, the Boeing 717 and Boeing 737-700. AirTran is able to offer low cost air travel by keeping a simple fleet, which keeps down overhead costs, which can then be passed on to the passengers. AirTran operates a fleet of 137 aircraft to 56 destinations across the United States. AirTran offers onboard entertainment of XM satellite radio on every one of its flights for no additional cost, a rarity in the low cost air carrier market.