The Golden Eagles will be flying high this season — with AirTran Airways.

On Tuesday, AirTran announced it will be the presenting sponsor for Marquette Athletics and a premier corporate partner of the university.

Marquette Athletics has three premier partners — AirTran, U.S. Bank and Aurora Health Care.

AirTran is now Marquette’s “preferred travel partner.”

The contract between Marquette and AirTran allows Marquette athletic teams to fly other airlines if they’re more fiscally responsible, said Mike Broeker, deputy athletic director.

AirTran understands the athletic department’s budget restrictions and will work with the department to provide the best fares possible. The athletic department will do its best to fly with AirTran the most, Broeker said.

“It will be very much a partnership in travel,” he said.

As AirTran has expanded its services at General Mitchell International Airport — it is now the second largest carrier flying out of Mitchell — it has also reached out to the public with corporate sponsorships.

In the past year, the airline has sponsored the Milwaukee Brewers, Hunger Task Force, the Wisconsin State Fair and the Milwaukee Film Festival, among others.