Fledgling Hooters Air adds 3 routes

[Guest donaltopablo]

Fledgling Hooters Air adds 3 routes

By KIRSTEN TAGAMI

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tiny Hooters Air is doubling its list of destinations.

The fledgling airline, which flew its inaugural flight in March from Atlanta to Myrtle Beach, S.C., will add three cities Dec. 18 -- Columbus, Ohio; Fort Myers, Fla.; and Nassau, Bahamas, the company announced Thursday.

The carrier is named for the restaurant chain run by Atlanta-based Hooters of America.

Each flight features two "Hooters Girls" in addition to the required number of fully trained flight attendants.

One-way fares start at $69, and the airline's strategy is to share in the growth that discount airlines have enjoyed of late.

The carrier has three 737 jets and a 757, with another 757 on the way, said Mike McNeil, vice president of marketing.

Hooters regularly fills its flights between Atlanta and Newark, N.J., and Baltimore-Washington International Airport, McNeil said.

Atlanta-Myrtle Beach hasn't been as popular, but that route isn't in jeopardy, McNeil said.

Atlanta is the company headquarters and has 15 Hooters restaurants, while the golf and resort destination of Myrtle Beach is the hometown of company founder Bob Brooks, he noted.

[appatone]

I always thought Myrtle Beach had a lot of hooter's restaurants. I guess now I know why.

[Spartan]

That is very interesting. I didn't realize that Hooters got started in Myrtle Beach.

[bobliocatt]

^This is strange, I've always thought the original Hooters and the chain was based out of Clearwater, FL. I thought there were a lot more than 15 locations also.