Avelo and Breeze to compete head-to-head for 1st time on route announced on the same day

The nation's two hottest airline startups are finally going head-to-head — and the competition is already fierce.

Just hours after Avelo Airlines announced on Tuesday that it was launching flights from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Charleston International Airport (CHS), Breeze Airways countered — announcing its own service that starts a week earlier and that features an introductory fare $20 cheaper. Avelo then quickly matched Breeze's $39 fare.

Avelo will begin service on the 317-mile hop on June 30, its first East Coast route that doesn't touch its base at Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN). Like all of its East Coast service, Avelo will use one of its Boeing 737-700s for the flight, which will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The flight departs Charleston at 8:40 p.m. and arrives at 10 p.m., while the return flight departs Orlando at 1:10 p.m. and arrives in Charleston at 2:30 p.m.

"We are excited to continue our expansion in Charleston with nonstop service to Orlando," Avelo CEO Andrew Levy said in a statement. "Avelo makes getting to Orlando easier and more affordable than ever. With our low fares and Boeing 737 jetliners, it's the fastest and most comfortable way to get to MCO – for both your wallet and your inflight experience."

Breeze's service starts on June 23, and will be the airline's entry into the popular Orlando market — its 30th destination. It's also the 19th city to be served from Charleston, the destination of the airline's May 2021 inaugural flight.

Breeze's flight will be operated daily by an Embraer 195. The Charleston-Orlando leg departs at 10:20 a.m. and arrives in Orlando at 11:35 a.m. The return flight departs Orlando at 9:40 p.m. and arrives in Charleston at 10:55 p.m.

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More: Breeze is launching transcontinental flights from New York's Westchester County Airport

"We're excited to connect our largest base, Charleston, with our newest destination, Orlando," Breeze founder and CEO David Neeleman said in a statement. "Breeze identifies underserved routes and connects communities that need it. Couple that nice, new nonstop service with our low fares from just $39 and you have the happiest route on earth!"

Avelo and Breeze join Silver Airways on the route, which operates it twice weekly using its distinctive pink-colored ATR-72 turboprops.

For those keeping track, Breeze says both the outbound and return flights will take an hour and 15 minutes, while Avelo's will take five minutes longer.

Only time will tell which airline has the quicker flight — but it's unlikely that travelers will be counting on this leisure-heavy route.