AirTran, Southwest duke it out in videos

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By Kelly Yamanouchi

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A jocular battle between low-cost carriers AirTran Airways and Southwest Airlines has moved to the airwaves and cyberspace, pitting baggage fees against cattle calls.

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Southwest Airlines Southwest's "Battle Cry" commercial features ramp workers running towards an AirTran plane with its name and tail logo pixellated in a half-hearted disguise.

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In a video posted on its employee Web site, AirTran takes a shot at Southwest's open seating policy, calling for passengers to "skip the stampede."

AirTran In a video posted on its employee Web site, AirTran takes a shot at Southwest's open seating policy, calling for passengers to "skip the stampede."

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Although Southwest doesn't fly to Atlanta the two carriers compete elsewhere, and Southwest of late has been touting its lack of checked baggage fees.AirTran, like many other carriers, now charges fees for checked bags.

Earlier this month, Southwest began airing a TV commercial called "Battle Cry." It features Southwest ramp workers running towards an AirTran plane with its name and tail logo pixellated in a half-hearted disguise. The Southwest employees line up and lift their shirts, spelling out "BAGS FLY FREE" to passengers on the AirTran jet.

Some AirTran employees asked their company to respond. So AirTran, in a video posted on its employee Web site, takes a shot at Southwest's open seating policy. The video recasts a Southwest boarding area as a cattle ranch, with passengers in cow costumes herded onto the plane, where they race for seats. Meanwhile, on an AirTran plane, a passenger lounges peacefully in her seat.

"Skip the stampede," the video says.

Instead of turning the video into an ad, AirTran alerted the media.