AirTran Airways was a major low-cost carrier based in the United States, operating primarily out of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Founded from the remnants of ValuJet Airlines following a fatal 1996 crash, AirTran rebranded and rebuilt its reputation as an affordable, reliable airline serving dozens of domestic destinations. The airline became known for offering business class seating at low-cost prices, a differentiator in the budget carrier market. AirTran operated an all-Boeing 717 and 737 fleet and expanded significantly through the 2000s, becoming one of the largest low-cost carriers in the southeastern United States. Southwest Airlines announced its acquisition of AirTran in 2010, completing the integration by December 2014, when AirTran ceased operations entirely. Passengers and routes were absorbed into Southwest's network, ending AirTran's 17-year run as an independent carrier.