AirTran Airways launched flight service Feb. 15 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with the help of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and IndyCar dynamo Danica Patrick. The international racing celebrity escorted AirTran Airways’ inaugural flight once it landed at Phoenix Sky Harbor by driving a ceremonial pace car, a silver Ferrari 360 Modena, ahead of the airline’s Boeing 737 as it taxied to the gate.

AirTran Airways, a sponsor of Andretti Green Racing and Danica Patrick, also incorporated Make-A-Wish of Arizona into the inaugural event by granting a Wish Kid’s dream of meeting Danica. The airline then surprised Make-A-Wish officials with an oversized boarding pass symbolizing their commitment to the foundation in Phoenix.

AirTran began nonstop service between Phoenix Sky Harbor and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Feb.15. “AirTran Airways is excited to take the pole position in delivering low-cost flight options to Phoenix residents,” explained AirTran Airways vice president of planning, Kevin Healy. “In addition to driving down fares, AirTran Airways has the youngest all-Boeing fleet in the country with assigned seating, Business Class and XM Satellite Radio on every flight. Plus, passengers can book flights faster than a Danica Patrick pit stop on our Web site, airtran.com.”

Mayor Gordon echoed Healy’s enthusiasm for the new service by stating, "We are excited to welcome AirTran to Phoenix.  Customer service is a top priority for us, and offering additional daily service to such an important national hub will only increase the convenience of flying out of Phoenix Sky Harbor."

AirTran Airways offers one roundtrip flight to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and will add a second roundtrip flight on Feb. 22. Travelers departing from Phoenix can connect to 39 cities nationwide via Atlanta. The airline will add another flight from Atlanta to Phoenix on March 6, and a return flight from Phoenix to Atlanta on March 7.