Southwest Airlines officially began flights to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on February 12, 2012. The budget airline will offer 15 daily flights from Atlanta to domestic destinations like Austin, Chicago, Washington, Denver, and Houston.
Southwest will also be adding direct flights from Atlanta to Las Vegas and Phoenix starting March 10, to Los Angeles starting June 10, and Louisville, Norfolk/Virginia Beach and Seattle on August 12.
WestJet, the Canadian low-cost airline, revealed plans to create a subsidiary regional airline that will fly to short-haul destinations. The proposed airline will hopefully launch by the end of 2013.
WestJet CEO Gregg Saretsky said the proposed subsidiary would still use the WestJet brand, but will have a separate operating certificate. To keep costs down, it will operate a single-type fleet of either Bombardier Q400s or ATR 72-600 turboprops.
US low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines has announced it will keep flying to 22 cities served by AirTran Airways but end flights to six other destinations. Southwest purchased competitor AirTran in 2011 and the two airlines are now being merged.
The newly terminated destinations are smaller cities and include Allentown and Harrisburg, PA, Lexington, KY, Sarasota, FL, Huntsville, AL, and White Plains, NY. Previously cut routes include Miami, FL, Knoxville, TN, Asheville, NC, Atlantic City, NJ. Bloomington and Moline, IL, Charleston, WV, and Newport News, VA.
Virgin America has announced that its 17th domestic destination will be Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The budget airline will operate three daily non-stop round-trips to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) starting on April 4 and two daily non-stop flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) starting on April 10, 2012.
Porter Airlines is arriving at Dulles Airport on April 16, 2012. It will be the Canadian low-cost carrier’s sixth U.S. destination with up to three daily roundtrip flights operating between Dulles and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
“Greater Washington is a region that our passengers have told us is their number one priority for new Porter service,” Robert Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines, stated. “We expect great interest for both business and leisure trips and look forward to bringing competition to the route.”
US carrier Frontier Airlines is launching a new seasonal link between Kansas City and Orlando International and year-round flights from Grand Rapids and Madison to Washington Reagan National as it further expands its domestic offering. The new three times weekly Grand Rapids – Washington Reagan link commenced on January 4, 2012 while the Madison – Washington Reagan service, also three times weekly, followed from January 5, 2012 and both will be operated using a 138-seat Airbus A319.
Allegiant Air has announced a new, nonstop jet service between Salisbury, Md., and Orlando, Fla., via Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), will begin February 16, 2012. The company, known for its exceptional travel deals, will introduce the new service to Maryland’s Eastern Shore with fares as low as $59.99* one way.
“We’re pleased to bring an affordable and convenient travel option to Salisbury,” Andrew C. Levy, Allegiant Travel Company President, said. “We are confident that the residents of Maryland’s Eastern Shore will appreciate flying nonstop to Orlando and take advantage of the great deals we offer on hotels, car rentals and theme park tickets.”
Allegiant will introduce the new service with twice weekly flights between Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY) and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). For flight days and times please visit www.allegiant.com.
Southwest Airlines is once again leading the industry by teaming up with its longtime partner to become the launch Customer of Boeing’s new 737 MAX aircraft. Southwest is the first Customer to place firm orders for the new, more fuel-efficient 737 MAX, and the Company also will become the first airline to accept delivery of the new aircraft in 2017. As the launch Customer of the 737 MAX, Southwest extends its legacy with Boeing as the 737 launch Customer for the -300, -500, and -700. The 737 MAX is the new-engine variant of the world’s best-selling airplane, building on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737 (737NG) technology, and is powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines.
Just in time for winter, Frontier Airlines is launching new nonstop seasonal service to Florida from two Midwestern cities and reinstating seasonal Florida service from three others beginning Dec. 15, 2011, and continuing into April 2012.
On November 15, 2011, Mexican budget airline VivaAerobus announced a new international route between San Antonio, USA, and Monterrey, Mexico. The frequency will be three flights per week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Total prices start from $79 USD.
“The city of San Antonio serves a pivotal role in VivaAerobus’ plans for international growth,” said VivaAerobus CEO, Juan Carlos Zuazua, adding, “With this new route, our carrier is contributing to strengthen those ties that exist between these two important cities. Traditionally many people from Monterrey visit San Antonio for shopping, business, or simply a leisure trip.”
