Startup Avelo Airlines announces new East Coast base just 1 week after launch
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.
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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.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
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Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees