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Spirit adds 2 new routes from Atlantic City, including its first international flight from the airport

July 20, 2021
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2 min read
Spirit Airlines A321neo Big Front Seat Zach Griff - 6
Spirit adds 2 new routes from Atlantic City, including its first international flight from the airport
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Spirit Airlines will try its luck in Atlantic City.

On Tuesday, the Miramar, Florida-based carrier announced a notable expansion at its operating base in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Spirit is adding two new routes, including the airlines first international flight from the airport.

Service to Cancun, Mexico (CUN), will take off with four weekly flights on Oct. 29, followed on Oct. 31 by three weekly flights to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU).

Additionally, as part of the news, Spirit reaffirmed its commitment to launching the previously announced route from Miami (MIA) to Atlantic City on Oct. 6 with daily service.

Spirit's expansion in Atlantic City brings the carrier to ten destinations from the city. This summer, the airline's operation in ACY is 35% larger than it was in 2019, which, according to Spirit, is due to increasing demand for air travel.

Spirit is the only major U.S. airline operating flights from Atlantic City. Thanks to its close proximity to both Philadelphia and Newark, Atlantic City offers a convenient alternative for those living in between the two major East Coast airports.

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To date, other U.S. airlines have skipped over Atlantic City, in favor of the larger airports nearby. United was the last big domestic network carrier to serve the city in December 2014, per Cirium schedules. (Air Canada was actually the last major airline to fly there in September 2015.)

Related: Spirit to enter Miami with 30 routes in major competitive shake-up

So, Spirit's enjoyed a nearly six-year run as the monopolist in Atlantic City. Now, the airline is ready to cross the border for the first time since establishing service there.

In 2012, the airport opened an expanded terminal, which included a federal inspection station providing the ability to process international travelers. When the facility opened, the airport "pursued international air carriers and air service routes," but nothing ever came to fruition. (Air Canada's flights from Toronto were treated as domestic service since there is a U.S. customs pre-clearance facility in the Pearson International Airport.)

Now, the customs facility will handle its first scheduled international flights. It's anyone's guess how Spirit will fare, but it's certainly hoping to beat the odds.

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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