The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] recently delivered a 737-800 to American Trans Air, Inc. (ATA), the 31st airplane for the carrier
in the past 12 months.
ATA, the North American launch customer for both
the 757-300 and the 737-800 with winglets, operates one of the youngest fleets in the United
States. In the past year, Indianapolis-based ATA has taken delivery of 22 737-800s, eight 757-300s
and a 757-200, at a rate of approximately two airplanes per month.
The carrier announced in May 2000 it would
purchase 20 737-800s and 10 757-300s, and lease an additional 14 737-800s from International Lease
Finance Corp. and five 737-800s from GE Capital Aviation Services. In December 2001,
ATA exercised purchase rights for two more 757-300s delivering
in 2003.
"The addition of the 737-800 and 757-300 aircraft
to our fleet has added efficiency and reliability to our operations," said John Tague, ATA president
and chief executive officer. "The aircraft's state-of-the-art amenities and comfort has
created a more convenient and enjoyable flight experience for ATA's customers."
ATA currently operates a fleet of 46 Boeing
airplanes: 22 737-800s, 16 757-200s and eight 757-300s.
"With the delivery of 31 airplanes in one year,
it's clear that ATA is serious about operating one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the
United States," said Toby Bright, Boeing executive vice president of Sales. "We're especially pleased
that ATA attributes much of its success to reliable, fuel-efficient models such as
the 737-800 and the 757-300."
All new models of the 737 family feature
exceptional flexibility in size and mission, as well as superior reliability and maintainability.
The Next-Generation models provide passengers all-new, more spacious interiors with more accessible
overhead luggage bins. The airplanes are the most technologically advanced
family in the single-aisle market. They are designed to fly higher,
faster, farther, quieter and with greater fuel efficiency than previous 737 models and the
competition.
At 178 feet, 7 inches (54.5 meters), the 757-300
is the largest single-aisle twinjet, and has the lowest operating cost per seat-mile of any single-aisle airplane and
mid-sized airplane in its class. Known for quiet and fuel-efficient
operation, the 757-300 is an environmentally responsible jetliner, meeting current noise limits
as well as new international noise limits proposed for 2006. The 757-300 debuted in
scheduled, dual-class service in the North American market last
year and the European market this year. ATA was the first U.S. carrier to fly the 757-300 with a
one-class configuration.
Now in its 29th year of operation, ATA is the
nation's 10th largest carrier based on revenue passenger miles flown. ATA offers significant
scheduled service from Chicago-Midway and Indianapolis to over 40 business and vacation
destinations. |
