Traveling to Vegas can be crowded, inconvenient and expensive. But Avelo Airlines is trying to fix all that. The discount start-up carrier opened its sixth U.S. base at Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport in September as the travel-inspiring airline’s second West Coast base. For Avelo this move marks the latest investment in bringing affordable fares, and convenient and reliable air service to unserved and underserved communities across the country.
“As they say, What Happens in Vegas, Can Only Happen in Vegas, and that makes Las Vegas a winning bet for our sixth base,” said Avelo Airlines Founder, Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy.
The new base is a homecoming of sorts for Levy, who was a cofounder and served as longtime president of Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air. During his 14 years with Allegiant, he helped build one of America’s most successful airlines. At Avelo, Levy is joined by other former Allegiant leaders, including Chief Operating Officer Greg Baden who hosted today’s opening ceremony at LAS.
For those traveling to Vegas Avelo is inaugurating three new routes and expanding another, with more routes coming this month and next.
Bend / Redmond, Ore. (RDM) — The first flight is today, September 7, 2023, with twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays.
Sonoma / Santa Rosa, Calif. (STS) — Starting September 8, 2023, Avelo will double the flight frequency of service on this route to four days per week (Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays).
Brownsville, Texas (BRO) — The first flight is tomorrow, September 8, 2023, with twice weekly service on Mondays and Fridays.
Eureka / Arcata, Calif. (ACV) — The first flight is tomorrow, September 8, 2023, with twice weekly service on Mondays and Fridays.
Dubuque, Iowa (DBQ) — The first flight is next week, September 13, 2023, with twice weekly service on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Portland / Salem, Ore. (SLE) — The first flight is October 5, 2023, with twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays.
Those traveling to Las Vegas may be aware of Avelo’s five existing bases at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR); Orlando International Airport (MCO); Philadelphia / Delaware Valley’s Wilmington Airport (ILG); Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU); and Southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN). Avelo’s new LAS base that recently debuted, coincides with the inauguration of Avelo’s six new destinations.
Avelo is initially basing one 147-seat Boeing Next-Generation (NG) 737-700 at LAS. The company plans to hire LAS-based Crewmembers, including pilots, flight attendants, aircraft maintenance technicians and supervisors. The airline has hired approximately 50 LAS-based Crewmembers (employees) with more career opportunities still available. Avelo is considering adding a second 737 in 2024.
Avelo took flight on April 28, 2021, and has since flown more three million passengers. Whether traveling to Vegas or not, now Avelo serves 45 destinations spanning 23 states and Puerto Rico. It focuses on flying unserved routes to primarily underserved communities across the country. At least one airport on every Avelo flight is a small hometown airport.
For those traveling to Vegas, low fares are part of the model and available on every route. Flyers can change or cancel their itineraries with no extra fees. Avelo also offers several unbundled travel-enhancing options and flexibility to pay for what they want, including priority boarding, checked bags, carry-on overhead bags and bringing a pet in the cabin, much in the derivative scheme used by other low-cost, no frills carriers, such as Spirit Airlines.
Avelo’s 16 Boeing 737 jets operate at most of the smaller airports Avelo serves. Customers who wasn’t more comfortable seating options can purchase seats with extra leg room, or pre-reserved a window or aisle seat. One third of seats on Avelo aircraft offer extra legroom.
Those traveling to Vegas will appreciate that every flight is also nonstop flight. The connection-free travel experience minimizes delays, cancellations and lost bags.
In all, Avelo operates a fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft that serves 45 popular destinations across the United States, with its bases at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), Orlando International Airport (MCO), the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region’s Wilmington Airport (ILG), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and now Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).
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