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Startup Avelo Airlines announces new East Coast base just 1 week after launch

May 06, 2021
3 min read
Avelo Airlines Boeing 737 Inaugural Flight Zach Griff - 26
Startup Avelo Airlines announces new East Coast base just 1 week after launch
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Avelo Airlines is headed East.

The brand-new budget carrier said New Haven, Connecticut, would become its first base on the East Coast. The Thursday announcement comes just a week after Avelo flew its inaugural flight on an intra-California route between Burbank and Santa Rosa – the first of 11 routes Avelo will offer from Burbank by late May.

Avelo – the first mainline U.S. carrier to launch in 15 years – did not reveal a firm start date or its planned routes from Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN), saying only that it would begin flying there in the third quarter of this year.

Avelo plans to fly Boeing 737-700 jets from New Haven, saying in a statement that its planes would give travelers there “a more comfortable, mainline jet experience versus the smaller regional jets that currently service the airport.”

Currently, New Haven is served only by American Airlines, which serves the airport with service to Philadelphia on its regional affiliates. American’s June schedule shows American Eagle partner Republic Airways serving the route with 76-seat Embraer E175s, though smaller regional jets were common on the route prior to the pandemic.

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Still, while those flying Avelo from New Haven may appreciate the option of a full-size jet, seating onboard will be tight.

Avelo will fly both the -700 and -800 models of the 737 across its overall network. Its inaugural was on a 737-800, which is laid out in a tight 189-seat configuration with 129 standard slimline 29-inch-pitch seats and an extra-legroom section with 60 seats. The same plane flying for Southwest is outfitted in an all-coach configuration with 175 seats.

Go West, young airline: Startup carrier Avelo was going to launch in the East, but it went West to capitalize on rivals’ cuts in California

Customers will have a similar experience on Avelo’s 737-700s.

For now, Avelo is celebrating its first post-launch expansion.

"Tweed New Haven has enormous potential, and our first East Coast base is great news for Avelo, New Haven, East Haven and other local communities,” Avelo founder and CEO Andrew Levy said in a statement.

Startup announcement: New budget airline Avelo announces 12 cities, launch dates

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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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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 $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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $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.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $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.
  • Terms Apply.