Avelo continues growing with new West Coast flights
Avelo's rapid expansion continues.
The ultra-low-cost startup plans to fly from Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) in Oregon to Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS) in California. It will also resume an older route from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in Montana to Burbank Hollywood International Airport (BUR) in California.
Avelo's flight from RDM to STS will be the first from central Oregon to California's wine country. The carrier already flies to Burbank and Palm Springs, California, from Redmond.
The BZN-BUR route initially launched in 2021, but was swiftly axed due to a national rental car shortage which made it difficult for passengers to reach and depart from the airports, according to an Avelo spokesperson.
However, the carrier is confident about the route's success since it's seen strong bookings out of Montana's Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) since announcing routes there in March, the spokesperson added.
"We think it's different this time and the strong bookings we're seeing out of the gate in FCA that we announced recently is a good indicator Montana is back in business," the spokesperson said.
Related: Avelo expands again, adds flights to Montana's Big Sky Country
Service from RDM to Sonoma County begins June 23, and service from Bozeman to Burbank will start June 28. In March, the carrier said it was adding flights between Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Montana and Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR).
Avelo CEO Andrew Levy expressed enthusiasm over the company's new route from Redmond to California's wine country.
"Now flying to California Wine Country is easier than ever — whether for vacation, a weekend getaway, or reconnecting with family and friends," Levy said in a statement.
RELATED: Avelo adds 3 new cities to its route map but cuts 2 others
Avelo's business model relies on nonstop flights to popular leisure destinations. In particular, the carrier focuses on little-used airports in densely populated areas. Since launching in 2021, Avelo has created bases in Burbank; New Haven, Connecticut; Orlando; and Wilmington, Delaware.
The new routes come after Avelo announced last week that it would add nine new routes from its Wilmington base — the carrier's single biggest expansion since its launch.
One-way fares for flights between Redmond and Sonoma County start at $34. One-way fares between Burbank and Bozeman start at $49.
TPG reviewed the Bozeman to Burbank route in 2021. You can read that review here.
Related reading:
- Where to next? 5 European destinations that JetBlue might add
- JetBlue unveils much-anticipated New York-to-Paris route
- 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 Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.