The new partnership between the two carriers, which is expected to drive incremental revenue and new customers to both AirTran Airways and Frontier, consists of three key components which will allow customers to easily book tickets to over 80 destinations from one another's sites.
Specifically, the partnership consists of the following components:
REFER: A web-based reservations system that will provide access to destinations offered by both airlines. Each airline's markets will be displayed in the partner airline's website and available for booking. Example: A Frontier passenger wishing to travel from Denver to Jacksonville would be seamlessly routed to AirTran's Web site or reservations center. Similarly, an AirTran passenger wishing to travel from Atlanta to Portland would automatically be routed to Frontier's website or reservations center.
EARN: The ability to earn frequent flyer miles in AirTran's A+ Rewards program and Frontier's EarlyReturns(R) program. Example: A Frontier EarlyReturns(R) member who travels round-trip on AirTran Airways between Denver and Boston will earn 3,500 miles (the roundtrip mileage between Denver and Boston) in his or her EarlyReturns(R) account. An AirTran A+ Rewards member who travels roundtrip on Frontier from Atlanta to Salt Lake City will earn 2 credits in his or her A+ account (one credit from Atlanta to Salt Lake City and one credit from Salt Lake City to Atlanta). Flyers will have the option to earn credit in either airline program regardless of the airline flown.
REDEEM: The ability to redeem frequent flyer miles in both programs. Example: A Frontier EarlyReturns(R) member can utilize 20,000 miles for a round-trip ticket to any domestic AirTran destination, including the Bahamas, and 40,000 miles for a round-tip business class ticket, including the Bahamas. An AirTran A+ Rewards member can use 24 credits to reach any of Frontier's 48 domestic and Canadian destinations and 36 credits to reach any of Frontier's eight Mexico destinations or Alaska.
In this first-of-its-kind relationship, both airlines will include an integrated route map and a full list of destination options on their web pages, thereby nearly doubling the destinations available to their customers. This integrated model between two of the leading U.S.-based LCCs offers travelers the ability to reach more than 80 destinations across four countries with low fares, aboard two of the youngest fleets in the industry.
"Legacy carriers have seen the benefits of marketing relationships like this for years, and this marks a very clear line in the sand as two of the broadest LCCs, in terms of number of destinations, are going to be able to leverage the tremendous growth that each has seen over the past decade," said airline industry analyst Mike Boyd. "This is a great partnership between two airlines that have generated tremendous loyalty in different parts of the country, and while this relationship will ultimately benefit both airlines in terms of revenue, it is really their frequent flyers that are the winners."
"Today is a very exciting day for AirTran Airways and our customers," said Bob Fornaro, AirTran Airways' President and Chief Operating Officer. "Both Frontier and AirTran Airways have always been leaders in our respective markets and today's announcement further underscores that role as we become the first LCCs to establish a system that will allow us to offer the best of both airlines to our customer base. We look forward to introducing our great product and friendly Crew Members to Frontier passengers and knowing that both airlines share a dedication to excellence, I am confident that our A+ Rewards passengers will be equally well-treated when flying Frontier."
"Frontier is proud to partner with an airline of AirTran Airways' caliber," said Jeff Potter, Frontier president and CEO. "With almost two million EarlyReturns(R) members, it is imperative that we continue to find new and creative ways to cultivate loyalty with our most frequent flyers. This new relationship with AirTran Airways is an excellent addition to the program. With the ability to earn and redeem miles on all routes in the AirTran system, we have almost doubled the options available to our members. Likewise, AirTran Airways A+ members will now have the opportunity to experience all of our Mexico destinations, which makes their A+ credits that much more valuable."
About AirTran Airways
About Frontier
Frontier Airlines Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of Denver-based Frontier Airlines. Currently in its 13th year of operations, Frontier Airlines is the second largest jet service carrier at Denver International Airport, employing approximately 5,000 aviation professionals. With 55 aircraft and one of the youngest Airbus fleet in North America, Frontier offers 24 channels of DIRECTV(R) service in every seatback along with 33 inches of legroom in an all coach configuration. In conjunction with Frontier JetExpress operated by Horizon Air, Frontier operates routes linking its Denver hub to 55 destinations including 47 destinations in 29 states spanning the nation from coast to coast, seven cities in Mexico and one city in Canada. Frontier's maintenance and engineering department has received the Federal Aviation Administration's highest award, the Diamond Certificate of Excellence, in recognition of 100 percent of its maintenance and engineering employees completing advanced aircraft maintenance training programs, for seven consecutive years. In July 2006, Frontier ranked as one of the "Top 5 Domestic Airlines" as determined by readers of Travel & Leisure magazine. Frontier provides capacity information and other operating statistics on its Web site, which may be viewed at FrontierAirlines.com.
Frontier Airlines Holdings, Inc.
