News
Southwest, AirTran closer to combining operations
Nov. 8, 2011, New York, N.Y. - Pilots at Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways say they've finalized a deal that will create a single list to determine their seniority as the two carriers work to combine their operations.
November 8, 2011 By Carey Fredericks
The deal, which was tentatively approved in September, was a big hurdle in their effort to combine. A pilot's position on the seniority list can determine earnings, city base and days worked. Southwest had considered operating AirTran separately if the deal had been voted down.
Southwest Airlines' purchase of AirTran was finalized on May 2. AirTran pilots will spend the next three years transitioning to Southwest's operations.
Southwest pilots belong to the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association. AirTran pilots are members of the Air Line Pilots Association.
Southwest Airlines Co. is based in Dallas.
