Rumor Of Airtran Buying Midwest Airlines?

[boeing787]

count on it!

 

[lpbrian]

You mean AirTran buying Midwest Airlines?

 

[atlflyer]

I love AirTran to death....but those MidEx passengers are going to be so mad at AirTran for taking away their full business class cabins!!! You can definately count on that!

- John

 

[boeing787]

I do in August.

 

[smfav8r]

Really don't see the match except for equipment type...

Two entirely different animals...

Midex.....upper class..

Airtran....cattle class..

Not that either is better than the other...just two different types of airlines!!!

 

[TheDog2004]

Midex only flies their 'all first class' aircraft on certain routes. the rest are just regular MD80 cattle cars like everyone else.

 

[coolflyingfool]

Midex does fly with some all coach MD80s now. I believe here in LAS, all service is with all coach MD80s. No FC/BC anymore. I believe that Midex converted many of their leisure destinations to all coach configured aircraft.

 

[swflyer]

That's a really interesting possibility and would get them a greater share of the Chicago pie they were looking for at Midway (Northern Suburbs to MKE).

MKE is also supposed to be a REALLY nice facility.

Good luck!

 

[coolflyingfool]

What if SWA made a run at Airtran. The B737-700s are a common fleet and the B717s could be used just as they are now. Just a crazy thought..........

 

[corl737]

What if SWA made a run at Airtran. The B737-700s are a common fleet and the B717s could be used just as they are now. Just a crazy thought..........

[post="285434"][/post]​

I agree ... crazy thought. It would be nice to have an instant ATL operation however and SWA does have enough cash on hand to easily buy AirTran (AAI market cap of $1.02 bln as of today). Additionally, AirTran is a good company so there wouldn't be a PR extravaganza trying to repair years of bad karma (any examples come to mind?). Hmmmmm.

I wonder if AirTran would accept the same deal Morris Airlines folks got in '94? Remember, that was a "buyout", not a "merger." Thus, rightfully, the Morris employees were given preferential treatment in the hiring process to fill the newly-needed positions but were not automatically integrated into the existing seniority lists. (On the plus side, the AirTran folks would have other options of where to be based besides ATL. I read that 70% of their pilots commute!)

IF SWA bought AirTran/Midwest I'd like to see their first act be a complete termination of service at DFW Airport with all operations moved to Love Field. Next, reconfigure the 717s to 56 seats and launch long haul EVERYWHERE!

(Hey, Representative's Barton and Granger ... how you feeling now???) :bleh:

 

[whlinder]

Hey! You leave YX alone! I like my DCA-MCI nonstops in J for $198!

 

[whlinder]

Air Tran Circling Rival?
A recent shelf registration by AirTran Airways Inc. has industry analysts wondering if the discount airline is preparing a bid for one of its rivals.

AirTran filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this week to sell up to $225 million in debt securities, preferred and common stock and warrants. The Orlando, Fla., company said it would use proceeds for general corporate purposes, which could include debt retirement, working capital or "acquisitions of other airlines or their assets."

While the language of the filing was routine, it has rekindled talk by some in the industry that AirTran might be pursuing a bid for Midwest Air Group Inc., parent of Midwest Airlines. Oak Creek, Wis.-based Midwest now flies from its Milwaukee hub to about 24 large cities nationwide, as well as to nine markets from Kansas City, Mo.

Midwest has a market capitalization of about $42 million and about $66 million in total debt. The airline carried more than 2.3 million passengers in 2004, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, ranking it 32 among all carriers, including independent airlines serving as regional affiliates.

 

[legacy-to-LCC]

Additionally, AirTran is a good company so there wouldn't be a PR extravaganza trying to repair years of bad karma (any examples come to mind?). Hmmmmm.

[post="285566"][/post]​

valujet comes to mind...hmmmmmmmmm

 

[smfav8r]

Airtran is Valujet!!!

Now they have done a very good job (in PR) getting away from the Valujet image.

Valujet bought the Airtran name!

 

[legacy-to-LCC]

Airtran is Valujet!!!

Now they have done a very good job (in PR) getting away from the Valujet image.

Valujet bought the Airtran name!

[post="292029"][/post]​

my awareness of the relationship between airtran and valujest was what motivated my initial post. fortunately for airtran, many people don't recognize her lineage...