By Leonard Robinson
Want a flight from Grand Junction, Colorado to Eugene, Oregon? Starting on April 28, you’ll have a new option.
Avelo, a new low-cost air carrier, hits the skies on Friday, focusing on 11 air markets, primarily small, non-competitive ones scattered across the West Coast.
Based in Houston, the airline is premiering at Hollywood Burbank Airport with flights to Arcata/Eureka, CA; Bend/Redmond, OR; Bozeman, MT; Eugene, OR; Grand Junction, CO; Medford, OR; Pasco, WA; Phoenix/Mesa, AZ; Ogden, UT; Redding, CA; and Santa Rosa, CA.
Fares are $19 each way, with fees charged for checked bags, carry-ons, priority boarding, and seat selection, according to the Wall Street Journal. Fees range from $10 for your first checked bag to $95 for traveling with a pet in the cabin.
“After more than 20 years of steadily shrinking consumer choice, the American flying public wants and deserves more options and lower fares,” said Avelo CEO Andrew Levy. “Avelo offers both- along with a refreshingly smooth and convenient experience.”
Before launching Avelo, Levy helped found Allegiant Airlines before becoming Chief Financial Officer of United Airlines. In the 1990s, during his time at Allegiant, he pioneered the company’s small airport strategy of offering low fares to customers from smaller cities who often travel through hubs before leaving to work for United Airlines, noted CNBC.
Alongside Avelo, Jet Blue’s latest venture, Breeze Airways, plans to offer low-cost flights between midsize cities. Breeze Airways received approval from the Department of Transportation last month.
Avelo and Breeze are the first new U.S. airlines since 2007 when Virgin Airlines began operating.
Customers can schedule flights that take off on April 28 up to Sept. 15, 2021, here.
