You've seen the ad in Georgia Tech alumni publications.

A thatched roof hut standing on stilts in the middle of an exotic tropical lagoon boasts a brightly colored door from an AirTran Airways jetliner. The headline says they can take you to unexpected places — especially now that AirTran is the official airline of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association.

"AirTran has been a longtime advertising partner with us," said Jim Shea, vice president for fund raising and business development. "They came to us in February seeking ways to expand their business in Atlanta and other cities having a large Tech alumni base so it just made sense for them to become an affinity partner."

The revenue generated by the arrangement benefits Alumni Association programs and activities like clubs, publications and career events.

"Building support for achieving the mission of the Alumni Association is always a priority for us," Joe Irwin, IM 80, president of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association said. "Our alumni expect high-quality products and services from us and AirTran certainly meets that expectation."