Avelo Airlines Will Fly to Seven New Locations, Ramping Up Service in Polk County

Avelo Airlines has been flying out of Lakeland International Airport (LAL) for less than two months. And it has already announced a major expansion.   

“Avelo is the perfectly suited commercial air partner for Lakeland and Polk County,” said Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz. “High service, lower cost and easy proximity will extend the ease of travel for both pleasure and business travelers.”

Avelo started twice-a-week flights to New Haven, Connecticut, on June 13. The ultra-low-cost airline is now adding seven new destinations:  

• Charlotte/Concord, North Carolina, beginning Oct. 24. Flights start at $52 each way on Thursdays and Sundays. 

• Boston/Manchester, New Hampshire, and Rochester, New York, both beginning Oct. 25. Flights start at $62 each way on Mondays and Fridays. 

• San Juan, Puerto Rico beginning Oct. 26. Flights will cost $89 each way on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 

• Atlanta, beginning Nov. 7. Flights start at $52 each way on Thursdays and Sundays. 

• Philadelphia/Wilmington, Delaware, also beginning Nov. 7 and flying on Thursdays and Sundays. Flights start at $67 one way. 

• Hartford, Connecticut, beginning Nov. 8. Flights start at $72 each way on Mondays and Fridays.  

Tickets for flights may be purchased at www.Aveloair.com. On its website, the airline touts its 84% on-time rate and its flight-cancellation rate of less than half a percent – both ranking No. 1 in the industry. 

A Team Effort

Airport Director Kris Hallstrand said landing the airline took the work of her entire team, and partners like Visit Central Florida, the Central Florida Development Council and Lakeland Economic Development Council. 

“There are a lot of partners involved,” she said. “I really want the community to know we appreciate their support and trust in getting this off the ground. If it weren’t for them embracing this, we would not have had the announcement we had (for new destinations).” 

“When the airport landed NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hurricane Hunters), we knew the next big initiative was cargo. Then we got cargo (Amazon Air). When Adam (Assistant Airport Director Adam Lunn) and I took over, our big initiative was, we’re going to get an airline. We did that,” Hallstrand said.  

“All of us make these things happen. I’m just fortunate enough to be the one leading the team.” 

Customer Convenience

Residents benefit in several ways:  

• They’re not sitting in traffic, getting stressed. 

• They’re paying less, including for parking. “Our costs are cheaper here so therefore our airfare is cheaper,” Hallstrand said. 

• People do not have to be at the airport two or three hours early like they do in Tampa and Orlando.   

• Transportation Security Administration lines are not long at LAL – and the TSA agents are nice, Hallstrand stated. “They are second to none. We work very closely with them.” 

“It’s more convenient, less stressful and overall, a more enjoyable experience.” 

The future looks bright for more growth, Hallstrand said. “We’re going to continue to grow with Avelo. There are more opportunities in our future.” 

About Avelo Airlines

The low-cost carrier is strategic in picking its locations. Hallstrand said she’s been amazed at what the airline said is its 95% occupancy rate on its flights to New Haven. 

“That’s remarkable and well above the industry standard,” she said. “They’ve been hugely successful.” 

People flying there may be traveling to New York, Boston or other locales. “It’s amazing how many family connections are here in Florida and vice versa. That’s a lot of it. Folks go to Canada, Boston, all over the Northeast.” 

New Haven wasn’t on LAL’s list of destinations, Hallstrand said. “But obviously the airline knew something we didn’t. Avelo has a very loyal customer base in New Haven. If they’re going to open a new base, they want to do it with a customer base that trusts them. That’s the logic.” 

Low Cost Benefits

Plus, prices are reasonable. 

“What people are starting to learn is that with an ultra-low-cost carrier, they say: We’re going to provide this service and bare bones price. If you want a carry-on bag, there’s a cost for it. If you want a certain seat, we’ll sell you that, too. That’s how they do it.” 

Other airlines will assume you have a carry-on and want to pick your seat, so they include those in the price of the ticket. Avelo charges for luggage and advance seat selection, but not for changing or canceling flights. 

“At the end of the day, you’re paying for that everywhere you go,” Hallstrand said. “At Avelo, you get to say: I don’t need a carry-on, I don’t care where I sit. You actually pick what you want and are willing to pay for. You can be cost sensitive and align your trip to match your wallet.”  

Avelo plans to keep one of its planes at Lakeland Linder, making it a base of operations. It will employ two pilots, three flight attendants and 10 ground services and maintenance workers to start. 

The New Flight Routes

Avelo studies where people are flying before deciding on new destinations, Hallstrand said.  

“Florida is a great destination. That generates a lot of traffic to our county. Our goal when we started talking to them was we wanted a 60/40 split – 60% tourists and 40% for our community. That is what I considered a win. We have been averaging a 60/40 split — the sweet spot for the airport and Visit Central Florida (the county’s tourism agency).”  

Avelo asked Polk County residents where they wanted to fly to. This led to places like Puerto Rico – the most-requested location. “Bookings are going well for the fall,” she said. “The community and other destinations are supporting this area. Rochester, New York, is pulling Canadians for the winter.”