AirTran expanding flights from Westchester

[maem01]

AirTran Airways, an Orlando-based discount carrier, will expand its service at Westchester County Airport with the addition of new service to three Florida cities. The new daily nonstop flights to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers and Tampa will begin Dec. 21, the airline said yesterday.

AirTran already offers flights that connect Westchester to Orlando and West Palm Beach.

John Kirby, AirTran's director of strategic planning and scheduling, said that the airline is happy to expand its service in Westchester.

"AirTran Airways gives Westchester County residents an affordable reason to use their hometown airport for a winter getaway," Kirby said.

When AirTran began service at the Westchester airport in April, local travel agents said the addition of another airline should be good news for travelers looking for better connections and lower fares. Fares at the Westchester airport often are higher than bigger airports in the New York metropolitan region. AirTran also was the first airline in many years to offer direct service from Westchester to Florida, one of the most popular vacation destinations.

AirTran uses Boeing 717 aircraft with 12 business class and 105 coach seats.

AirTran's addition of three new Florida cities this winter should give travelers an expanded array of choices at an airport that has been "underutilized," Mal Beiner, travel consultant at Mount Kisco Travel & Tours, said yesterday. "The new service should go over well. It also may help fares because when a new carrier comes in with lower fares, other airlines start to match it."

Nationally, AirTran operates more than 600 daily flights to 50 destinations. The airline's hub is at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where it is the second largest carrier after Delta Air Lines Inc.

[uplander]

Very interesting. I wasn't even aware of this airport. You NY'ers just have so much choice. :) Even Air Canada flies there :shock: (I guess it would be Jazz.) I also found thishandy airport monitor.

Since I'm also a newbie here, I wonder how much attention this airport gets in the forum or for spotting. There's no spotter's map for it. Is it worth going?

Cheers.

[USAF Pilot 07]

So not only are they starting new service at SWF but they are expanding service at HPN... AirTran must be doing real well up there!

[maem01]

Very interesting. I wasn't even aware of this airport. You NY'ers just have so much choice. :) Even Air Canada flies there :shock: (I guess it would be Jazz.) I also found this handy airport monitor.

Since I'm also a newbie here, I wonder how much attention this airport gets in the forum or for spotting. There's no spotter's map for it. Is it worth going?

Cheers.

Welcome Uplander

I am not a great contributor but am always looking at the website and forum at least once a day. I live north of HPN and am probably the same distance to SWF as well. HPN is quite good for spotting as they have a small fenced-in area outside on the roof of the terminal and there is a cafe inside. Not many large planes, 717 probably the biggest but United use the service to ORD with the new EMB planes. I flew on the Toronto service to HPN last year and it was not JAZZ, it was AC. No flight attendent, and the pilots just slide the plastic door in place for take-off.

I try to traval out of HPN most of the time and usual get to spend 30 mins or more spotting, the business jet movements are quote strong.

[uplander]

I flew on the Toronto service to HPN last year and it was not JAZZ, it was AC.

If it wasn't JAZZ, what type of A/C was it, since all the CRJ's have been moved over to JAZZ. A319? Embraer?

[Bellucciman]

I've seen some 737's fly into HPN this past summer. I think they were United birds but not really sure. I'd love to find a good place to spot other than SUNY Purchase, but I know how the WCPD is. Any hassles in the airport cafe?

[PhilDernerJr]

I saw an Italian A319 VIP at HPN once, too.

[markg]

I flew on the Toronto service to HPN last year and it was not JAZZ, it was AC.

If it wasn't JAZZ, what type of A/C was it, since all the CRJ's have been moved over to JAZZ. A319? Embraer?

AC service to HPN is operated by Air Georgian with B1900's.

[maem01]

I have sat outside overlooking the apron many times before flying off from HPN and not had any problems although I have not tried to take any photos from there.

[HPNPilot1200]

This is great news! I'm glad they're adding a few more destinations from HPN.

I just flew AirTran out of HPN to last Tuesday to go to the NBAA convention in Orlando and it was great. The very reasonable (in many cases, really cheap) fares and convenient service will hopefully lead to great success.