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Fast-growing Avelo Airlines adds 3 new routes, 2 new cities

Aug. 06, 2024
3 min read
Avelo Aircraft Interior & Exterior
Fast-growing Avelo Airlines adds 3 new routes, 2 new cities
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For the first time in a decade, you’ll be able to book a nonstop flight from Delaware to the world’s busiest airport.

Your opportunity comes this fall when fast-growing budget carrier Avelo Airlines begins flying from Delaware’s Wilmington Airport (ILG) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). It will mark the first regular nonstop service between the airports since Frontier Airlines flew the route in 2014, according to airline schedule data firm Cirium.

Service starts Nov. 8, with Avelo operating two flights a week on Boeing 737 jets.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier, Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines combined already offer roughly a dozen daily round-trip flights to ATL from nearby Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) — which sits just 27 miles northeast of ILG. But Avelo will be the only carrier to fly to Atlanta from Wilmington.

That’s no surprise given that Avelo is the only airline offering regularly scheduled service from ILG, currently the only airport in Delaware with passenger airline service. ILG has struggled to retain service during the past two decades, but Avelo’s decision to expand there in 2022 officially put the First State back on the U.S. aviation map.

In addition to the Atlanta route, Avelo said it would bring flights back to three Florida airports for its winter schedule. Service to Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB), Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) also starts in November.

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The new route to Atlanta and the returning Florida ones will give Avelo 13 destinations from ILG; the carrier plans to station a second aircraft at its base there.

Tuesday’s Delaware expansion is not Avelo's only expansion since last week.

The airline also unveiled plans for additional service from its base at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) near Santa Rosa, California — about 60 miles north of San Francisco.

The airline is adding two new routes from this California airport. Flights from STS to Salt Lake City International (SLC) begin Oct. 24, and an intrastate service to Ontario International Airport (ONT) in Southern California begins Oct. 10. Avelo will offer twice-weekly flights on both routes, neither of which is served by another carrier. Avelo does not currently serve SLC or ONT.

As it does at ILG, Avelo touts STS as a secondary airport for a larger metro (in this case, greater San Francisco). Unlike in Wilmington, though, Avelo is not the only carrier here. However, it now offers the most destinations since making the airport one of its initial cities when it launched in 2021.

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Featured image by JOE SCARNICI/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.