Avelo doubles its flight schedule out of Sonoma County
One of America's newest airlines is doubling down on California's wine country with the launch of four new routes planned for this spring.
Avelo Airlines on Wednesday announced a handful of new routes that will double the ultra-low-cost carrier's presence at Santa Rosa's Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS).
The move comes as the Houston-based budget airline plans to shift its crew base from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas to Santa Rosa as of May 1. Avelo also maintains crew bases at Orlando International Airport (MCO), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina, Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) in California, Wilmington Airport (ILG) in Delaware and Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) in Connecticut.
With Avelo already operating four routes out of Sonoma County, it's now adding four additional nonstop destinations from its future base.
The new routes include service to Boise, smaller cities in Oregon and Washington, and an airport just a short drive from Glacier National Park in Montana.
In Santa Rosa, airport executives say this route announcement from Avelo represents the single largest route announcement in the airport's history.
"Avelo is really expanding the travel possibilities here at STS," airport manager Jon Stout said in a statement. "This is, in the best way, going to be impactful for all of Sonoma County's residents."
Avelo's new routes from Sonoma County
Here's how Avelo's new routes from Santa Rosa shake out. Each begins in May, shortly after the opening of the new crew base there.
STS to Boise
Beginning May 2, Avelo will fly from Sonoma to Boise Airport (BOI) in Idaho.
The busiest airport of the four destinations, Boise is currently served by a handful of airlines, which fly to 20-plus destinations. Avelo already flies to the airport from its base in Burbank, California.
The service will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.
STS to Kalispell, Montana
Avelo's new service from Santa Rosa to Montana launches May 1 with Wednesday and Saturday flights.
The airline will fly to Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, Montana, which is some 20 miles from Glacier National Park.
The airport currently has service to a handful of network carriers' western hubs, not to mention to Burbank on Avelo.
STS to Salem, Oregon
Avelo's new service between STS and Salem Municipal Airport (SLE) in Oregon launches May 3, operating on Mondays and Fridays. Avelo is the only commercial airline serving Salem, which is about 50 miles south of Portland, situated between Portland and Eugene.
STS to Pasco, Washington
Finally, Avelo's fourth new route out of Santa Rosa will begin May 1, to Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco, Washington.
Avelo will fly this route on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Bottom line
Between the existing, already-planned and newly announced routes, here's what Avelo's route map out of Sonoma County will look like come May.
The carrier plans to hire up to 50 employees as it shifts its crew base to the airport. So, it definitely seems possible that Avelo could keep growing in Santa Rosa — once the destination for the airline's inaugural flight in April 2021.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
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.