ATLANTA, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. and the Atlanta Falcons today launched a one-of-a-kind, custom-painted Boeing 717 in Falcons colors. The plane, dubbed Falcons 1, will operate across the company’s network of more than 60 destinations.

Falcons 1 marks the first time in the company’s history that an aircraft has been co-branded from nose to tail.

“There’s no better way to celebrate our partnership than to launch the best looking airplane in the sky,” said Tad Hutcheson, AirTran Airways’ vice president of marketing and sales. “Falcons 1 will serve millions of passengers and act as a constant reminder of our winning team, the Falcons and AirTran.”

The partnership, announced in September, includes joint promotions, prominent signage at the Georgia Dome and billboards and other advertising featuring Falcon players in full uniform in addition to Falcons 1.

“What an awesome privilege it is to have such a great looking airplane flying around the country in our honor,” said Jim Smith, Atlanta Falcons vice president of marketing. “We are so pleased to know that passengers everywhere will see the Falcons and AirTran logos flying side-by-side for years to come.”

To commemorate the unveiling of Falcons 1 and to mark breast cancer awareness month, members of the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders and drumline pulled the 100,000 pound aircraft for the charity, Breast Friends, Inc. AirTran Airways responded with a $10,000 donation to the charity.

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