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Avelo grows Raleigh-Durham base with 3 new routes starting at $39

March 15, 2023
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3 min read
Avelo Airlines Boeing 737 Inaugural Flight Zach Griff - 22
Avelo grows Raleigh-Durham base with 3 new routes starting at $39
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It seems that Avelo Airlines has struck gold with its newest base in the Raleigh-Durham metro area of North Carolina.

The airline startup announced Wednesday that it'll base a second Boeing 737 aircraft at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), which will allow Avelo to add three new routes.

The three new routes will bring Avelo's total to 10 markets served by RDU — impressive growth for the carrier that just launched flights there last month.

The full list of RDU destinations now includes:

  • New: Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC).
  • New: Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT).
  • New: Memphis International Airport (MEM).
  • Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
  • Orlando International Airport (MCO).
  • Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).
  • Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ).
  • Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
  • Tampa International Airport (TPA).
  • Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN).
Avelo's 10 Raleigh-Durham routes. CIRIUM

Service to Memphis and Rochester, New York, will begin June 14, while Manchester, New Hampshire, flights will begin June 21. All three new routes will operate on a twice-weekly basis and are available for sale starting Wednesday at AveloAir.com from just $39 each way, excluding add-ons like seat assignments and bags.

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In an optimistic statement, Avelo chairman and CEO Andrew Levy shared that "we are very encouraged by the momentum Avelo is experiencing in Raleigh-Durham. We’re just getting started and look forward to inspiring even more travel to and from RDU.”

Avelo first announced that it'd open a base in Raleigh-Durham last November. The airline has since stationed roughly 50 employees at the airport, including pilots and flight attendants, and plans to hire at least 35 additional employees to support the expanded operation.

The Research Triangle region is seemingly a smart choice for Avelo's fifth base. While the region is a major population center, it's not a hub for any airline. Delta Air Lines considers the airport to be a focus city, where it has 30% of the domestic market share.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Without a single dominant airline, the competition at RDU among ultra-low-cost carriers is fierce. Fellow new airline startup Breeze Airways recently announced its own expansion at RDU, with a total of eight routes launching in the coming weeks. Both Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines, two of the largest discount carriers in the country, also operate flights from RDU.

However, Avelo will become the only carrier offering nonstop flights in the three new markets it announced Wednesday, and the carrier is likely hoping that its monopoly will help stimulate traffic.

All told, the additional routes will expand Avelo’s network to 40 U.S. destinations across 23 states.

In addition to RDU, Avelo operates bases at Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Wilmington Airport (ILG) in Delaware.

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
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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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • $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.
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  • $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.
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