Big moves are happening in low-cost carrier land this week, with both Breeze Airways and Avelo Airlines announcing plans to expand in one form or another.
For Breeze, it’s inaugurating new routes from 15 airports, including two new cities over the winter, while Avelo said it would open a new crew base and began service on two new routes this week.
As airlines have reported their third-quarter earnings over the last few weeks, it’s clear that travel demand has been strong through 2022, and most executives have said during their earnings calls that they expect travelers to keep going places for the foreseeable future, even in traditionally slower periods.
Buyer beware:Booking flights on third-party websites can be risky
Breeze and Avelo’s plans position both airlines to capture some of that demand.
Here’s what’s coming down the pike.
Breeze Airways’ expansion plans
In February and March, Breeze will inaugurate 15 new routes, including introducing service to Cincinnati, Ohio, and Vero Beach, Florida.
“Breeze provides fast, efficient, and affordable air service between underserved city pairs,” Breeze Airways president Tom Doxey said in a statement. “We’re excited to introduce two new cities to our national route network, as we add routes from 15 cities.”
Inside look:What it’s like to fly Breeze Airways
Vero Beach will see nonstop flights from Hartford, Connecticut, on Thursdays and Saturdays starting Feb. 2 and from White Plains, New York, on Fridays and Mondays starting Feb. 3.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, will have nonstop service to San Francisco, California and Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting Feb. 8.
The airports seeing new service, including stopover flights, are:
- Akron-Canton, Ohio, to Orlando, Florida
- Bentonville-Fayetteville, Arkansas to Phoenix, Arizona; Orlando, Florida, and Charleston, South Carolina
- Charleston, South Carolina to Cincinnati, Ohio; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Huntsville, Alabama, and Bentonville-Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Hartford, Connecticut to Vero Beach, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; Provo, Utah, and San Bernardino, California
- Huntsville, Alabama, to Orlando, Florida, and Charleston, South Carolina
- Las Vegas, Nevada, to San Bernardino, California
- Orlando, Florida, to Akron-Canton, Ohio; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Huntsville, Alabama; and Bentonville-Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Phoenix, Arizona, to Hartford, Connecticut; Richmond, Virginia; Bentonville-Fayetteville, Arkansas; and New Orleans, Louisiana
- Richmond, Virginia, to Phoenix, Arizona
- San Bernardino, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada, and Hartford, Connecticut
- San Francisco, California, to Cincinnati, Ohio
- Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Orlando, Florida and Charleston, South Carolina
- Vero Beach, Florida, to Hartford, Connecticut; White Plains, New York, and Norfolk, Virginia
- White Plains, New York, to Vero Beach, Florida
Introductory fares on the new routes start at $29 for the most bare-bones tickets and up to $199 for the airline’s “Nicest” first-class cabin, which includes carry-on and checked baggage allowances, as well as drinks and snacks.
A new base for Avelo Airlines
Avelo announced it would open a base at Wilmington Airport in Delaware in February, with service to five destinations in Florida to start: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach.
“Our very low fares and nonstop flights to five sun-soaked Florida destinations coupled with the fast and seamless experience at Wilmington Airport will make traveling easier than ever,” Andrew Levy, Avelo Airlines’ founder and CEO said in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming everyone aboard Avelo’s first (Wilmington) flight in February.”
Airline review:What it’s like to fly Avelo
Avelo will be the only airline to serve Wilmington when it begins service.
Jim Olson, a spokesman for the airline, acknowledged in a statement that company’s Delaware base will open even as it tables a plan to make Ft. Myers a crew base, citing reduced demand in the wake of Hurricane…
Read More: Breeze Airways and Avelo Airlines are set to grow this winter