The Metamorphosis

In September of 2010, Southwest Airlines announced that it was purchasing AirTran Airways for $1.4Bn. This acquisition would give Southwest access to AirTran’s hubs and international routes, and in part, AirTran’s fleet would dovetail with Southwest’s. In part because half of AirTran’s fleet was comprised of Boeing 737-700s (the mainstay of the Southwest fleet), the other half being a totally different aircraft, the Boeing 717-200. The 717 fleet was eventually sold to Delta Air Lines, and as AirTran’s operations were integrated into Southwest’s, the AirTran 737 fleet was gradually integrated as well.

During 2013 and 2014, various AirTran 737s were serviced (as part of their normal maintenance cycle) and repainted into Southwest colors. This aircraft is undergoing the process, and within a month was flying for Southwest. AirTran formally ceased operations on December 28, 2014.