How To Pitch: GO

Business stories and unique destination guides will fly with these editors

By Andrea Williams - May 25, 2012

The information in this article is current and accurate.

Circulation: 2 million
Special issues: None

Background: You've finally settled into your seat after an exhausting, barefoot trip through security and a 45-minute delay. Your carry-on bag is stowed neatly in the overhead bin, and you're just about to drift into a much-needed nap when you notice a frayed magazine in the back flap of the seat in front of you. You're tempted to ignore it, eschewing what you are certain is a catalog full of neck pillows and personalized luggage tags. But you decide to thumb through it anyway, and are pleasantly surprised at what you find. Welcome to Go.

GO was launched in 2004 as the in-flight publication of AirTran Airways, the low-cost airline based in Atlanta. What began initially as a general interest/entertainment magazine is now a celebration of all things travel, and covers featuring high-profile celebrities have been replaced with photos of beautiful vistas in exotic locales. GO has earned numerous editorial and design awards, including recognition as The North American Travel Journalists Association's Inflight Magazine of the Year for 2009, solidifying its reputation as a top publication for trip-happy readers.

"We want to inspire really interesting ways of seeing different places," said Jaime Lowe, GO's executive editor. "We want as many people as possible to get excited about learning about other communities, being surrounded by new experiences and pushing themselves, through travel."

Though Lowe considers every travel magazine, including titles like Afar and Travel+Leisure, to be in the same category as GO, she also notes that the magazine's in-flight status gives it unique, unparalleled access to AirTran travelers. "That's the best part of writing for this magazine," she said. "We have a captive audience."

And, while you may be tempted to write those fliers off as a bunch of penny-pinching cheapskates on limited incomes, you'd be wrong. The GO media kit states, "AirTran Airways passengers are entrepreneurial, pragmatic and savvy. They are cost-conscious and don't like to waste money -- but are willing to splurge on luxuries with the money they save from the airline's low fares."...