Boeing

A multi-day Seattle delivery celebration ended Thursday as 90 ATA Airlines "All-Star" employees left for Indianapolis, ATA's home base, aboard ATA's newest Boeing [NYSE: BA] 737-800. The airplane is the 32nd acquired from Boeing and the 14th 737-800 ATA has leased from International Lease Finance Corporation.

In May 2000, ATA Airlines ordered $2.5 billion in new aircraft, signing agreements with Boeing, ILFC, and GECAS for 39 737-800 airplanes, 40 options, and 10 757-300 airplanes with 10 options. In December 2001, ATA added two 757-300s to its order. In addition to the 32 737-800s, ATA has taken delivery of 12 757-300's and 15 757-200s. In 2005 ATA will take delivery of seven more new 737-800s. ATA was the U.S. launch customer for both the winglet configured Boeing 737-800 and the Boeing 757-300.