Air Tran and Kraft Bring Back Inflight Food

ORLANDO – AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), will now offer Sky Bites, an inflight food sales service, on 60 of its flights effective immediately, with plans to expand the service to its entire fleet beginning in mid-March. The Sky Bites service will be offered in conjunction with AirTran Airways’ standard inflight service in both Business Class and coach.

Sky Bites offers a la carte items, which range from $1 to $4, or combo packages ranging from $4 to $6 in price. A la carte selections include Kraft Foods snacks, such as Oreo Cakesters, Chips Ahoy! cookies, Nilla Wafers, Cheese Nips crackers and premium beverage options, including new selections such as glaceau smartwater) and FUZE Slenderize Strawberry Melon; a Snack Box containing Wheat Thins crackers, Planters Smoked Almonds, Oreo cookies, Garden Veggie Cheese Spread and Sun-Maid Raisins. A variety of combo meals include a snack and a premium beverage. Purchases of Sky Bites may be made with credit or debit cards.

“AirTran Airways is attentive to our customers’ desires, and because our passengers have shown us that inflight food choices are important to them, we are happy to offer the best brands through Sky Bites on our flights,” said Tad Hutcheson, vice president of marketing and sales for AirTran Airways. “Sky Bites is designed with the individual traveler in mind and will provide enough variety to ensure there are enough tasty options to satisfy everyone all at a very affordable price.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with AirTran Airways to bring passengers their favorite Kraft snacks as part of the new Sky Bites(SM) program,” said John Blute, Vice President, Non-Commercial National Accounts for Kraft.

AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), a Fortune 1000 company, is ranked number one in the 2008 Airline Quality Rating study. The airline offers coast-to-coast flights, North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet, friendly service and Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit http://www.airtran.com.

Florida-based Airlines

Florida has a long aviation tradition, from the first scheduled passenger flight across Tampa Bay to legendary air carriers including Eastern Airlines, Pan American World Airways and National Airlines.

Today, there are a number of Florida-based airlines including:

AirTran: AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), a Fortune 1000 company, is ranked number one in the 2008 Airline Quality Rating study. The airline offers coast-to-coast flights, North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet, friendly service and Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit http://www.airtran.com.

Gulfstream International: Gulfstream (NYSE: GIA) currently operates 23 aircraft with over 150 daily system departures throughout Florida, the Bahamas and now with service at Cleveland, OH. Gulfstream operates as Continental Connection, under contractual agreement with Continental Airlines. Additionally Gulfstream has codeshare relationships with Northwest Airlines and United Airlines. Gulfstream also operates charter flights between Miami, Florida and Havana, Cuba through a related company, Gulfstream Air Charter. The Company, with its headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, has approximately 700 employees, the bulk of which are Florida based. Gulfstream is a member of the Regional Airline Association. website at www.gulfstreamair.com.

Spirit Airlines: Spirit Airlines, Inc. (www.spiritair.com) is the largest Ultra Low Cost Carrier (ULCC) in the United States, Latin America and Caribbean.  Its all-Airbus fleet, the youngest in the Americas, flies more than 200 daily flights to 43 destinations.  The company is based in Miramar, Florida, and employs 2,300 professionals.

Gulfstream Begins Palm Beach Tallahassee Flights

FT. LAUDERDALE – Gulfstream International Airlines (Amex: GIA) Feb. 12 inaugurated service between Palm Beach International Airport and the Tallahassee Regional Airport. These new non-stop flights will be operated under Gulfstream’s “Continental Connection” affiliation. Under this arrangement, Gulfstream coordinates pricing and schedules with Continental Airlines.

The following non-stop flights between Palm Beach International Airport and the Tallahassee Regional Airport are available for sale at www.Continental.com.

From To Flight Departs Arrives Frequency
Palm Beach Tallahassee 9146 7:10 am 9:00 am Except Sat & Sun
Palm Beach Tallahassee 9151 3:30 pm 5:20 pm Except Sat
Tallahassee Palm Beach 9146 9:30 am 11:20 am Except Sat & Sun
Tallahassee Palm Beach 9151 5:45 pm 7:35 pm Except Sat

“As a Florida based company, Gulfstream is delighted to restore non-stop air service between Palm Beach and the state capitol in Tallahassee. We believe the restoration of this link between the Palm Beach area and the state capital is of vital interest to both communities for business and leisure. Our new Palm Beach flights supplement our existing service from Tallahassee to Ft., Lauderdale and Tampa, and on April 5th we will be introducing new service between Tallahassee and Orlando as well. This schedule expansion stands as testament to Gulfstream’s commitment to serving the intra-state travel needs of the Sunshine State,” said David Hackett, Gulfstream’s President and CEO.

Gulfstream currently operates 23 aircraft with over 150 daily system departures throughout Florida, the Bahamas and now with service at Cleveland, OH. Gulfstream operates as Continental Connection, under contractual agreement with Continental Airlines. Additionally Gulfstream has codeshare relationships with Northwest Airlines and United Airlines. Gulfstream also operates charter flights between Miami, Florida and Havana, Cuba through a related company, Gulfstream Air Charter. The Company, with its headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, has approximately 700 employees, the bulk of which are Florida based. Gulfstream is a member of the Regional Airline Association.

For further information visit www.gulfstreamair.com.

Florida Retail and Restaurants

Florida has hundreds of thousands of independent stores and restaurants. But did you know that many ubiquitous restaurant and retail chains are based in Florida?

These brands include:

• Beall’s: A department store across the South, headquartered in Bradenton. Also look for Beall’s Outlets.
• Chico’s: Based in Fort Myers, Chico’s FAS owns not only owns Chico’s, but White House/Black Market and Soma, a chain of intimates stores.
• Publix: Based in Lakeland, they just opened their 1,000th store in the Jacksonville area.
• Sweetbay: While part of the Delhaize group of grocery stores, it is headquarted in Tampa.
• Robb & Stucky: A regional chain of high-end furniture stores
• Winn-Dixie: This longstanding Florida chain of grocery stores is headquartered in Jacksonville

Restaurant Chains

• Burger King: Based in the Miami area, they are ubiquitous around the world. Store #1 is in the Miami area.
• Benihana: Miami-based Benihana Inc. (Nasdaq GS: BNHN and BNHNA) operates 64 Benihana teppanyaki restaurants, nine Haru restaurants, and twenty-two RA Sushi restaurants. Under development at present are nine restaurants: four Benihana teppanyaki restaurants and five RA Sushi restaurants. In addition, twenty-one franchised Benihana teppanyaki restaurants are operating in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. See http://www.benihana.com/
• Cheeburger Cheeburger: A chain that started on Sanibel Island.
• Columbia: Based out of Tampa’s Ybor, a Florida-only chain of Cuban eateries including locations in Celebration, Ybor City and Sarasota.
• Darden Restaurants: Headquarted in Orlando, owners of Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Smokey Bones, Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and a slew of other restaurant brands. Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) is the world’s largest full-service restaurant operating company.
• Ker’s Wing House: A restaurant chain started by Denver Bronco Crawford Ker.
• Outback Steakhouse: Tampa-based OSI Restaurant Partners LLC owns and runs Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Roy’s Restaurant, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Cheeseburger in Paradise and Blue Coral Seafood & Spirits.

Got any other ideas of Florida chains? Please follow up with a comment and we will add them to the list.

Jacksonville Modern Architecture Tour

From FloridaSnapshot

JACKSONVILLE BEACH – If you are into modern architecture, Jacksonville is the place March 7. That’s when the Jacksonville Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and DoCoMoMo US/Florida (DOcumentation and COnservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the MOdern MOvement) will present a major tour and symposium on Florida’s modern beach architecture. The program is called Modern Classics at the Beach.

Tickets are $55 per person and include admittance to a morning symposium, lunch, bus tour and drinks at the Dune House, designed by William Morgan. Anyone may attend. Architects will earn continuing credits for the morning symposium and tour.

See AIA Jacksonville Modern Tour Site or call (904) 389-8421.

Culinary Tours of Florida’s Panhandle

SANTA ROSA BEACH – The acclaimed WaterColor Inn & Resort has cooked up a four-day culinary package that will treat foodies to the freshest meals they’ve ever had as they savor hands-on experiences harvesting food. During the three March, May and October departures, participants will learn new skills – from oyster tonging, crabbing and organic farming to harvesting tupelo honey and flounder gigging (optional) – then dine on what they foraged in the company of Northwest Florida’s culinary experts.

Chef Chris Hastings, culinary consultant for The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) leads the way and provides informed commentary during activities. Hastings is a two-time James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef in the South and owner of Birmingham’s Hot and Hot Fish Club. Among other participants will be Chef Wayne Alcaide, JOE’s chef for Northwest Florida, who will prepare a delicious feast using the catch of the day. Additional meals will introduce guests to favorite local fish shacks and fine-dining restaurants either on or a stone’s throw from the sparkling waters of the Gulf Coast, including the acclaimed Fish Out of Water restaurant at the WaterColor Inn & Resort, headed by Chef de Cuisine Philip Krajeck. The Inn was named one of the “Top 10 Culinary Country Inns” in the U.S. by Bon Appétit magazine in 2008. Read more

New Parade at Magic Kingdom

ORLANDO – In March, children become pirates and princesses as they embark on a quest through the Magic Kingdom for chocolate doubloons and royal beads. Families can enjoy Disney’s new Enchanted Adventures Parade and experience the Magic, Music and Mayhem fireworks spectacular. (407) 939-2469. www.disneyworld.com.

Buzz Aldrin at Kennedy Space Center

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER – Witness space history at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex May 2 as more than 25 Hall of Fame astronauts, including Buzz Aldrin and John Young, gather to induct three of America’s finest Space Shuttle commanders into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. (321) 452-2121. www.kennedyspacecenter.com.

Big O Birding Event

CLEWISTON – The Big “O” Birding Extravaganza near Lake Okeechobee is a new event that evolved from the former Big O Birding Festival. The event will take place April 3 – 6 on the shores of Lake Okeechobee, Florida’s second largest lake and a mecca for bird watching. The area is home to more than 300 species of birds and known for its migratory bird sightings. (863) 612-4783. www.bigobirdingfestival.com.

Art History at Ringling

SARASOTA – Artists rely on various signs and symbols to impart their work with greater meaning. The study of these signs and symbols within a work of art is known as iconography. On select dates in March and April, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art’s Signs & Symbols: Iconography in Art History six-part series will examine how this symbolic language transforms over various times and places in the Western artistic tradition, from Classical to Contemporary. (941) 359-5700. www.ringling.org.

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