Reforms Will Save Millions; Still Ensure Quality, Accessibility

CHICAGO - February 14, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today kicked off the week of the fiscal year 2012 budget address by signing Senate Bill 3778, which will save taxpayers millions annually by retooling the Seniors Ride Free program.

"This reform sets the standard we must meet for state programs by reducing costs while also ensuring transportation services for our most dependent seniors," Governor Quinn said. "To start off a week that will highlight important budget reforms, we're taking important steps to ensure our state transit programs are fiscally responsible but also accessible to the riders who depend on them."

Senate Bill 3778, sponsored by Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) and Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), scales back the Seniors Ride Free program by providing a 50 percent discount on state transit to all senior citizens. Previously, all seniors received a free fare. The new law is estimated to save more than $30 million, and almost 60 percent of the seniors currently riding for free will still be eligible to ride without charge.

Free rides will be available to seniors who meet specific financial requirements. A one-person household with an annual income of $27,610 or less will still be eligible for the free fare, as will a two-person household earning less than $36,635 and households of three or more earning $45,657 or less.

Governor Quinn also signed Senate Bill 3965 today, which brings oversight of the regional transit boards under the jurisdiction of the Executive Inspector General and Executive Ethics Commission. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) and Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), requires each regional inspector general to submit a monthly report to the Executive Inspector General which will outline, among other things, the agency's reported complaints, as well as investigation status and outcomes. The Executive Inspector General will work to detect and prevent fraud and mismanagement at all levels of the transit agencies.

Senate Bill 3778 goes into effect immediately. Senate Bill 3965 has an effective date of July 1.

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Brucemore, Iowa's only National Trust Historic Site, is proud to announce that a new room will be open to the public when the mansion reopens for guided tours on March 1, 2011. The Preschool Room, located on the mansion's third floor, will be the first room added to the tour in nine years. Used as a preschool for the family and neighborhood children in the 1910s and a guest room in the 1930s, this addition will reveal the way a room's use changes throughout history and provide new levels of enrichment to the tour.

The decision to renovate and open this room to the public was made when the "Bachelor" furniture set was donated to Brucemore in 2009. Irene Douglas, the matriarch of the Douglas family, originally purchased the furniture in 1934 to furnish a guest room for the groom of her youngest daughter Barbara for their wedding. Beyond describing the education provided in the preschool room, the furniture's history will allow the tour to discuss one of the largest social events in Cedar Rapids' history: Barbara Douglas' wedding to Gail Burck in 1934. Over 600 guests attended the reception on Brucemore's First Avenue lawn and other community members joined the celebration for free ice cream distributed at the estate's gates.

"Opening a new room is an exciting opportunity to add depth to our interpretive tour and display objects that have been in collection's storage," said April Kamp-Whittaker, Director of Learning and Museum Projects. "Hopefully it will encourage people to visit either for the first time or to return and see the changes which have been made to the house and tour over the years."

Interpretive guided mansion tours are offered March through December, Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, Noon to 3:00 p.m. Tours are on the hour and last approximately 50 minutes. Admission is $7.00 per adult, $3.00 per student, and free to Brucemore and National Trust members. Reservations required for groups of 10 or more. Handicap accessible, please call for details. For more information, call 319-362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

Brucemore, an 1880s Queen Anne style mansion on a 26-acre park-like estate, is located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

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COMPANY OFFERS $64.99* ONE-WAY FARES

MOLINE, Ill. - Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT), today announces low-cost, nonstop travel service between Moline/Quad Cities, Ill., and theTampa Bay, Fla., area beginning Feb. 18, 2011.  The company, known for its exceptional travel deals, is offering its customers fares between the two cities for as low as $64.99* one-way.

"We're pleased to announce yet another affordable and convenient way for our customers to get away," Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President, said. "We are confident the Moline/Quad Cities community will appreciate the value of flying nonstop to the Tampa Bay area and the great deals we offer on hotels and car rentals."

"I am thrilled Allegiant is continuing to expand in the Quad Cities by adding nonstop service to the Tampa/St. Petersburg area," Bruce Carter, Director of Aviation for the Quad City International Airport, said. "The Tampa/St. Pete area has some of the most popular beaches in Florida and will be a great vacation destination.  With the addition of these flights, the QCIA will now have 12 nonstop destinations?more than ever before in the history of the airport."

The new flights will operate twice weekly betweenQuad City International Airport(MLI) and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), with service Monday andFriday. Flights will depart Moline/Quad Cities at 5:40 p.m. arriving in the Tampa Bay area at 9:10 p.m. Flights leaving the Tampa Bay area will depart at 3:20 p.m. arriving in Moline/Quad Cities at 5 p.m. (all flight times are local).  The carrier will utilize a full-size, 150-seat MD-80 jet aircraft on the route.  The company also offers nonstop service from Moline/Quad Cities to Las Vegas and Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.

With an average 361 days of sunshine each year, the St. Petersburg-Clearwater area is considered the most popular vacation destination on Florida's West Coast.  The area was named among the top beaches in the United States and is one of a few destinations to have received the "Blue Wave Award" from the Clean Beaches Council.  In addition to pristine beaches, visitors are within minutes of shopping, amazing golf courses and award-winning resort and dining experiences.

Allegiant is more than an airline, it is a full-service travel company that offers great value to its customers through its hotel and car rental packages.  The company partners with 20of the Tampa Bay area's most exciting hotel properties, including: Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, Barefoot Beach Resort, Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Alden Beach Resort, Don CeSar Beach Resort andSirata Beach Resort & Conference Center. Allegiant provides low-cost car rental service through its partnership with Alamo Rent a Car.

Allegiant's offer is not available on all flights and must be purchased by Jan. 26, 2011. Reservations may be made through the company's website at www.allegiant.comor by calling Allegiant's travel experts at 702-505-8888.

About the offer:
Valid between Moline/Quad Cities, Ill., and Tampa Bay, Fla. Seats are limited. Fares are one-way and not available on all flights. Must be purchased by Jan. 26, 2011. Prices do not include PFC, segment tax or Sept. 11 security fee of up to $10.70 per segment. A segment is one take-off and one landing. A convenience fee of $14.99 per passenger will apply when booked on allegiant.com. A convenience fee of $14.99 per passenger, plus $14.99 per segment, will apply when purchased through Allegiant call centers. Purchases made at any Allegiant Airport Ticket Office will not incur a convenience or call center fee. For ticket counter hours of operation, please visit www.allegiant.com. When purchased at the time of booking, a checked bag fee of $14.99-$29.99 per bag will apply per person, per segment. If purchased at flight check-in, a fee of $35 per checked bag, per person, per segment will apply for the first two bags checked. Additional higher fees will apply for three or more checked bags. Fare rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply. $20 savings based on a two-night, air+hotel purchase; valid at select Allegiant hotels.

Allegiant, travel is our deal.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT), is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations such as Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix-Mesa, Orlando, Fla., and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.  Through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, the company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline offering air travel both on a stand-alone basis and bundled with hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel-related services.  In 2010, Allegiant was ranked number one for low-cost carriers in Aviation Week's Top Performing Airline study and ranked 25 on FORTUNE magazine's Fastest-Growing Companies list.  Receive breaking news from Allegiant by visiting Allegiant's Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/Allegiantor follow Allegiant on Twitter at twitter.com/allegiantair.

 

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If you've always dreamed of touring London or you feel it's time to make a return visit, don't miss this opportunity to offer a loved one or yourself a holiday gift of experiencing this fascinating city with friends from the Figge Art Museum. The eight-day adventure, May 16 - 23, 2011, includes: visits to some of the most acclaimed art collections in the world, such as the National Gallery, the British Museum and the Tate Modern, among others; tours of two elegant manor homes in London and the suburb of Richmond; and a visit to the offices of David Chipperfield Architects, designers of the Figge Art Museum. In addition, you may join Figge staff in several optional evening activities and excursions; including theatre performances and dinners. The itinerary is flexible by design so you may choose to explore individual interests on your own. The group will stay at the cosmopolitan Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel near the River Thames; just a short walk to Westminster Abbey.

Wynne Schafer, a Figge trustee, and Ann Marie Hayes-Hawkinson, Figge curator of education, will coordinate or lead the scheduled tours and excursions, and will accompany guests on many of the optional activities. The trip fee includes airfare from Moline, ground transportation in London, six night hotel accommodations, all museum and historic home admissions, a farewell group dinner, and taxes. Costs for meals, admissions to special exhibitions, and optional activities are not included. Children 12 and older are welcome. For information about trip highlights and fees, please visit www.figgeart.org. Museum membership required (see information below)

To book your reservation contact Cathy Oney at KDM Travel Agency, 563.324.3201 or cathy@kdmtravel.com by January 12, 2011. For more information on the itinerary, please contact Ann Marie Hayes-Hawkinson at 563.326.7804 x 7887 or ahayeshawkinson@figgeartmuseum.org.

Figge memberships are available at www.figgeart.org, the Museum Store, or by calling 563.326.7804 x 2007. Memberships start at just $40 and are up to 25% off through December 31.

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?LAS VEGAS - Known for its great travel deals, Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) is offering customers a limited-time opportunity to save even more on travel to Vegas. When purchasing an air and hotel package to Las Vegas now through Nov. 30, travelers will save an additional $35* on the airfare for travel through Feb. 28, 2011.

Markets that are eligible for the $35* savings offer to Vegas include :

·         Cedar Rapids, Iowa

·         Grand Island, Neb.

·         Great Falls, Mont.

·         Kalispell, Mont.

·         Laredo, Texas

·         Moline, Ill.

·         Northwest Arkansas

·         Peoria, Ill.

·         Wichita, Kansas

Allegiant recently announced it pledge to offer the lowest air and hotel package prices through its Allegiant Low-Price Pledge**. The Pledge** offers a guarantee to customers that if they find an air and hotel package for less, Allegiant will issue up to two free roundtrip tickets per itinerary to use on a future Allegiant flight to the same destination. Customers have up to seven days after the reservation is made to report the price to Allegiant.

With world-renowned resorts, spas, casinos and entertainment options for visitors of all ages, Las Vegas is one of the most dynamic travel destinations in the world. With an average of more than 37 million people visiting each year, the vast majority of these visitors come to experience the Las Vegas Strip. The famous 4.2-mile section of Las Vegas Boulevard is home to 19 of the world's largest hotels?each with their own unique look, atmosphere and offerings. Those looking for a more serene getaway can spend time hiking or climbing at Red Rock National Recreation Area or exploring Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. Las Vegas truly presents a one-of-a kind vacation that can be enjoyed any time of the year.

The company offers low-cost air and hotel packages with more than 60 of Las Vegas' most exciting hotel properties including: Planet Hollywood, Wynn Las Vegas Resort and Country Club, Bellagio, The Venetian Resort & Casino, Paris Las Vegas, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Caesars Palace, Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, The Mirage, Excalibur Hotel & Casino, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter and Red Rock Resort & Spa. The company also provides low-cost car rental service through its partnership with Alamo Rent a Car.

About the $35* off roundtrip airfares:

Offer based on roundtrip travel, a minimum of three (3) nights, air plus hotel purchase and valid only at select Allegiant preferred hotels in Las Vegas, and select cities serviced through Las Vegas. Hotel stay must be for the entire duration of the trip, and on the same itinerary. Offer available for travel through Feb. 28, 2011, and must be booked by Nov. 30, 2010. Offer not valid on a previous reservations or airport or travel agent bookings. A maximum of three (3) passengers per itinerary are eligible for this offer. Allegiant reserves the right to alter or cancel this offer at any time. $30 off valid between Cedar Rapids, IA, Grand Island, NE, Great Falls, MT, Kalispell, MT, Laredo, TX, Moline, IL, Northwest Arkansas, Peoria, IL, Wichita, KS and Las Vegas.

About the Low-Price Pledge**:

Low-Price Pledge valid on fare plus hotel packages only. Competitive price cannot include Allegiant Air service, see www.allegiant.com for complete details.

Allegiant, travel is our deal.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT), is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations such as Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix-Mesa, Orlando, Fla., and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla. Through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, the company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline offering air travel both on a stand-alone basis and bundled with hotel rooms, rental cars and other travel-related services. In 2010, Allegiant was ranked number one for low-cost carriers in Aviation Week's Top Performing Airline study and ranked 25 on FORTUNE magazine's Fastest-Growing Companies list. Receive breaking news from Allegiant by visiting Allegiant's Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/Allegiant or follow Allegiant on Twitter at twitter.com/allegiantair.

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Intercity Rail Project will Create 2,100 Jobs, Boost Regional Economy

MOLINE - October 27, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today highlighted $230 million in federal funds to build passenger rail service between Iowa City, Moline and Chicago. Service between Chicago and Moline is expected to begin in 2013 with full service to Iowa City to follow in 2015. The project is expected to create more than 2,100 jobs in Illinois. Governor Quinn was joined at today's announcement by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, U.S. Representative Phil Hare and Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig.

"Passenger rail is important to our state's continued economic recovery, creating jobs and stimulating economic development throughout the region for many years to come," said Governor Quinn. "I want to thank Senator Durbin and Congressman Hare for their leadership in helping make this project possible."

Awarded jointly to Iowa and Illinois on Monday through a competitive process, the $230 million will fund the development of a new corridor of rail service and mark the return of passenger train service to the Quad Cities for the first time since 1979.

In addition, Governor Quinn is investing $45 million from the Illinois Jobs Now! capital program for the line's construction and Iowa is contributing $20.6 million. Last week, Governor Quinn, Senator Durbin and Congressman Hare announced $16.6 million for a new multi-modal station in Moline, which will serve as a stop along the new corridor.

"This new train line is just the beginning," said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). "The route from Chicago to the Quad Cities will pave the way for new train service across the Midwest and give us the opportunity to show the world that we can build our trains and locomotives right here in America. I thank Secretary LaHood, Governor Quinn, Congressman Hare and the Iowa Delegation for seeing the potential in this route becoming an integral part of the Midwest rail network."

Nicknamed "The Green Line," the new corridor will set the standard for environmentally-friendly rail service, including the use of biofuels and soy-based lubricants produced in Illinois and Iowa.

"The good news keeps pouring in for the Quad Cities. This funding will effectively complete the Quad Cities-Chicago Amtrak route," Representative Hare said. "This project is a winner for our entire community. It will create jobs, spur economic development, and provide a safe and convenient transportation alternative. I couldn't be prouder to have played a role in making this a reality."

In addition, the Chicago-to-Detroit corridor will receive $161 million to rehabilitate tracks on a portion of the route to allow for high-speed service to Detroit. The Midwest also received funding to improve travel times and reliability on both the Chicago-to-Milwaukee and Chicago-to-St. Louis corridors.

The Midwest system has received more than $3 billion in competitive federal awards in 2010. When completed, the system will connect more than 40 of the largest cities in the Midwest with passenger rail, including 60 daily roundtrips out of Chicago.

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$5 Million State Capital Match Completes Funding, Creates 750 Jobs

MOLINE - Oct. 21, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn was joined by U.S. Rep. Phil Hare, Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Joseph Szabo, Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig and local officials today to announce full funding for the Moline Transportation Center that will serve as a station for new Amtrak service between Chicago and the Quad Cities. The station project will create 750 construction jobs. The realization of passenger rail service in downtown Moline will support approximately 1,600 direct and indirect jobs.

"Throughout the state, we have seen transportation investments bring new jobs to communities," Governor Quinn said. "This new station and new Amtrak service from Chicago will serve as a magnet for economic development for Moline and the entire Quad Cities region."

The total station cost is $16.6 million. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) was awarded competitive federal funding for the Moline Train Station through Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Program this week. The $10 million award was one of only 75 projects funded through the US Department of Transportation (US DOT), which received nearly one thousand applications nationwide.

This summer, Governor Quinn identified the project as a top priority and directed IDOT to serve as the lead applicant. In total, the state will support the project with approximately $5 million Illinois Jobs Now! capital plan funding. $1.7 million was raised locally to serve as an additional match.

The new station will be built across from the existing Centre Station facility and connected via a pedestrian walkway. The facility will support passenger rail, public transit, car rental and water taxi, making it easy for passengers to move from mode to mode.

"This station was one of the final pieces to the puzzle of bringing passenger rail to the Quad Cities," Congressman Hare said. "It will be an engine for economic development for the entire Quad Cities region."

The project's design and engineering phases will take place this winter. Construction will start in the spring, with the facility opening late 2012.

"Each TIGER II grant rewards true excellence, effective partnerships, and good stewardship of taxpayer dollars - and the fact that the Moline Multimodal Station is one of 75 projects selected from among the 1000 applications received, is a testament to its value," FRA Administrator Szabo said.

The project is part of the vision to add Amtrak service from Chicago to Iowa City and ultimately to Omaha, Nebraska. In January, Governor Quinn committed $45 million to construct the necessary connection between the Iowa Interstate Railroad and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway that will allow for service to reach the Quad Cities. The construction of the connection, which will start next year, will create an estimated 440 construction jobs.

Service from Chicago will begin as early as two years from now. This will mark the first service to the Quad Cities since 1979.

The new station in Moline is planned to be LEED Certified as part of the "Green Line" concept for the corridor, which will serve as a model of environmentally-friendly service for the rest of the country. Trains serving the line will use many green technologies from Illinois, including biofuels and soy-based lubricants. Passengers will be treated to locally grown agriculture and an aggressive recycling program.

"The Illinois Department of Transportation is committed to building a network of passenger rail that creates jobs and serves the residents of a 21st Century economy," Secretary Hannig said. "This project puts us one step closer to accomplishing that goal."

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Allegiant Air's ticket counter hours have changed now that they are operating their flights to Las Vegas.

Tickets will be sold 1 hour after their Las Vegas departure, from 8:45 p.m. - 9:45 p.m., at the Allegiant Air/Charter Counter on the public side of the airport terminal.

Allegiant Air currently offers nonstop flights to Las Vegas on both Thursdays & Sundays. Those flights began last week. Nonstop flights to Phoenix-Mesa will begin on Thursday, November 18th and will also operate with an arrival and a departure on Thursdays & Sundays.

QUAD CITIES - Congressman Phil Hare today announced the Quad Cities will receive a $10 million federal TIGER II grant "for the construction of an intermodal station in downtown Moline," which will be the future Quad Cities Amtrak Station.

The funding is a result of a TIGER II funding application submitted in August 2010 by the State of Illinois Department of Transportation in collaboration with the City of Moline to support intercity passenger rail service between Chicago and the Quad Cities.

"The Amtrak Station funding is the culmination of years of hard work by Quad Cities' community leaders and elected officials who took action in response to the outpouring of public demand for passenger rail service," said Paul Rumler, Executive Director of the Quad Cities Passenger Rail Coalition. "Today's announcement would not be a reality without the leadership of Senator Durbin, Congressman Hare, and Congressman Braley who pushed hard for this funding at the federal level, and Governor Quinn who identified the Quad Cities Amtrak station as a top state priority for Illinois.  Passenger rail service will lead to new jobs and economic growth while adding to our region's quality of life."

Construction of the Amtrak station is expected to generate nearly 750 temporary construction jobs and result in the retention or creation of 1,100 private sector jobs.  An additional $47 million in private investment will come to the Quad Cities as a result of the transit oriented development centered on the Amtrak station.  When passenger rail service is realized, studies show that Quad Cities passenger rail service will create between 550-825 jobs, increase household income by $11-16 million, and boost property values by $52-75 million.

"Area residents, community and business leaders, and elected officials united through QC Rail to advocate and support passenger rail service, and together it's time to celebrate its return to the Quad Cities," said Rumler.

The Quad Cities Passenger Rail Coalition (QC Rail) was established by the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce to advocate on behalf of the greater Quad City region for restored passenger rail service.  Over 10,000 area residents, community, labor, and business leaders, and elected officials have joined QC Rail since May 2007.

Low-Cost Leader Expands Presence in Florida from Moline/Quad Cities

Moline/Quad Cities (September 15, 2010) This morning, AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), today announced new flights to Florida tourist hot-spot Ft. Myers from the Quad City International Airport. 

AirTran Airways currently offers flights from more cities to Ft. Myers than any other airline. "Ft. Myers is one of the most requested destinations in our route network," said Kevin Healy, AirTran Airways' senior vice president of marketing and planning. "From the pristine beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands to the world-class golfing and fishing, not to mention baseball spring training, Southwest Florida is one of the most popular sun and fun destinations in America."
The following nonstop flights between Moline/Quad Cities and Ft. Myers will be available beginning March 8, 2011:

Nonstop Service Between Moline/Quad Cities and Ft. Myers
From To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
Moline/Quad Cities Ft. Myers 1641 11:34 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Tu, Th, Sat, Sun
Ft. Myers Moline/Quad Cities 1640 8:50 a.m. 10:59 a.m. Tu, Th, Sat, Sun
Bruce Carter, Director of Aviation states "We are extremely pleased with today's announcement for new service to Ft. Myers Florida starting on March 8th of next year. It proves to me that AirTran is still committed to this market. I hope our loyal area passengers and those who frequent the Ft. Myers and South Florida area, will use this convenient nonstop service with AirTran." Carter adds, "Coupled with this new destination, AirTran continues the Orlando nonstop flights four times per week-- every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Orlando service continues to be popular for families from throughout the regional area throughout the year."

With the addition of the Ft. Myers service, The Quad City International Airport now offers nonstop service on five airlines to eleven nonstop cities in the United States: Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Ft. Myers, Las Vegas, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Orlando, and Phoenix-Mesa. Bruce Carter says "I believe this may be first time in the history of the airport that flights to eleven nonstop cities have been offered."

AirTran Airways is a Fortune 1000 company and has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past three years.  AirTran Airways is the only major airline with Gogo Inflight Internet on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America's newest all-Boeing fleet. Our low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit www.airtran.com
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