Startup airline Avelo adds 3 Florida routes from all-new destinations
Avelo Airlines, the new startup carrier from seasoned industry executives, is spreading its wings this fall.
On Tuesday the airline announced three new routes from two all-new destinations, with the full details below:
- Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), beginning Oct. 19.
- PHF to Orlando International Airport (MCO), beginning Oct. 20.
- Capital Region International Airport (LAN) to MCO, beginning Oct. 26.
Service from Newport News, Virginia, will operate twice weekly between Oct. 20 and Nov. 9 on Thursdays and Sundays. The airline will add Tuesday service on the two routes beginning Nov. 10. Newport News sits near the end of the Virginia Peninsula, located 30 miles from Norfolk.
Meanwhile, flights to and from Lansing, Michigan, will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.
As an ultra-low-cost carrier focused on leisure travel, Avelo's choice to primarily operate the new routes around a weekend timetable makes sense: Weekends are when the airline can capitalize on families and friends traveling to enjoy the Florida sunshine.
In fact, Orlando is quickly growing as one of Avelo's biggest bases. The airline officially added the home of Mickey Mouse to its list of operating bases earlier this year in April; it joined existing hubs at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN).
As one of the county's most popular leisure destinations, it seems reasonable for Avelo to start building its service to Orlando. The airline will soon offer five routes to the Florida city, including the two newly announced ones and existing service from HVN, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Wilmington International Airport (ILM).
All of the new routes will be operated by Boeing 737 aircraft. Avelo flies both the -700 and -800 variants of the jet, which feature 147 seats and 189 seats, respectively.
Even though Avelo is a no-frills airline with an a la carte fee model, the communities in Lansing and Newport News are likely celebrating the airline's move to add service there.
To date, getting to Florida has required at least one stop from either airport. Lansing sees service on American Eagle to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), as well as on Delta Connection to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).
Meanwhile, Newport News is connected to two of American's hubs: Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
Now, there will be nonstop service to Florida. Whether it succeeds is anyone's guess, but at least the introductory fares starting at $29 are quite attractive.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.