Southwest Airlines arrives in Atlanta

Business

Photos: Southwest Airlines arrives in Atlanta after merger with AirTran, Feb. 2012.

Southwest Airlines technician Stephen Cobb wires a monitor at what will become a Southwest gate on concourse C. Southwest uses a unique boarding procedure that uses a zone boarding system with no assigned seating. The airline believes the system allows passengers to board the plane quicker.

Wade Wiggins (right), co-owner of Wiggins Scale Company, installs a baggage scale at the Southwest check-in counter. Unlike most airlines, Southwest only charges for oversized baggage.

Let's get together and feel all right: Thunder sticks were in abundance as AirTran officials and employees celebrated the merger with Southwest. "One Luv 2011" was the theme of the day as the airlines promoted a sense of unity among their employees.

AirTran CEO Bob Fornaro, AirTran vice president Tad Hutcheson, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly and newly appointed AirTran president Bob Jordan (left to right) toast the merger of the two successful discount airlines.

July 2011: To ensure a smooth transition of operational procedures during the merger, Southwest employees answer questions from AirTran baggage handlers in the airline's ramp area break room at Hartsfield-Jackson.

A bowl of luggage tags await Southwest Airlines passengers.

Southwest launches its first flights from Atlanta Feb. 12 with routes to Austin, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago, Denver and Houston Hobby. Then in March it will begin flying to Las Vegas and Phoenix, in June to Los Angeles and in August to Norfolk, Louisville and Seattle/Tacoma. - Kelly Yamanouchi, AJC

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AirTran customer service agent Dennis Trimble has his picture taken by co-workers in front of the newly unveiled Southwest Airlines logo Feb. 8 at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Final preparations are being made for Southwest's first regular service flights from Atlanta, scheduled for Feb. 12. Southwest, which acquired AirTran in May 2011, has begun the gradual integration of AirTran into the Southwest Airlines brand.

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