Officials of Allegiant Air, who already announced non-stop flights from Chattanooga to Orlando, said Wednesday they also plan similar flights to the Tampa Bay area starting Dec. 11.
The low-fare carrier will celebrate the new service to the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport with introductory fares as low as $49* each way.
With an average 361 days of sunshine each year, the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is considered the most popular vacation destination on Florida’s West Coast. The area was named among the top beaches in the United States and is one of a few destinations to have received the “Blue Wave Award” from the Clean Beaches Council.
In addition to pristine beaches, visitors are within minutes of shopping, amazing golf courses and award-winning resort and dining experiences, officials said.
“We are extremely pleased to expand the Allegiant brand of low-fare, nonstop jet service within the Chattanooga community,” Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., Allegiant Air president and CEO, said. “Area residents are now able to enjoy a convenient low-cost vacation getaway to the sunny beaches of the Tampa Bay area.”
The self-proclaimed “Official Airline for Sunshine” will launch the new scheduled service from Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport to St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport with four flights weekly. With service Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, flights will depart Chattanooga at 2:35 p.m. arriving in Tampa Bay at 4:05 p.m. Flights leaving Tampa Bay will depart at 12:30 p.m. arriving in Chattanooga at 2 p.m. (all flight times are local.)
"Low-cost carrier Allegiant Air is making a great investment in our city and we thank them for their commitment to local air service," said Mike Landguth, President and CEO of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority. "Local travelers will benefit even further from the competition that comes with the introduction of the 10th nonstop destination from Chattanooga."
The airline commented that market research and input from local community leaders indicate the entire Chattanooga area will welcome the new nonstop flights and low fares to the Tampa Bay area as an alternative to connecting flights and long drives to other airports. Allegiant will utilize 130-seat, MD-80 series, jet-aircraft on the route.
Allegiant Air will begin nonstop, low-cost service to Orlando from Chattanooga Oct. 31.
The Allegiant Vacations division of the company will allow customers to double their sunshine fun with complete vacation packages at some of the area’s premier resorts, including Alden Beach Resort, Belleview Biltmore, Don CeSar, Hilton Clearwater Beach, Innisbrook Beach Resort, Mariott Suites on Sand Key and Sheraton Sand Key, it was stated.
Low-cost packages are available to include not only air and hotel, but car rentals for additional savings, officials said.
Reservations may be made through the company’s website at www.allegiantair.com, the airline’s Reservations Center at 702-505-8888 or professional travel agents.
Allegiant’s $49* one-way introductory fare is limited, not available on all flights and must be purchased by Oct. 14, 2006, for travel through Jan. 31, 2007. After the introductory fare period, regular one-way fares on the route start as low as $79 one-way.
About the offer:
*All fares are limited, one-way and are non-refundable. Prices do not include PFC, segment tax or Sept. 11 security fee of up to $10.30 per segment. Travel purchased through an Allegiant Air call center will cost an additional $5 per segment. A segment is defined as one take-off and one landing. Fares are non- refundable. Seats are limited and subject to availability. Restrictions apply. Offer not available Dec. 22-31 and Jan. 1-6, 2007.
About the Company
Allegiant Air, LLC is an all-jet, low-fare, low-cost passenger airline dedicated to providing a new way to fly. At Allegiant, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way and a Saturday night stay is never required. With a focus on leisure travel, the company emphasizes low- costs, innovation and leisure traffic to world-class destinations – currently Las Vegas, Nev. and Orlando, Fla. The company provides its customers additional value through its Allegiant Vacations division, which maintains significant hotel partnerships in Las Vegas, Orlando and Tampa Bay Area. Allegiant currently provides nonstop scheduled service from 33 U.S. markets to Las Vegas and from 19 U.S. markets to the Orlando destination. The company will soon also begin service from several cities to the Tampa Bay area. In addition to its scheduled service, the airline also operates charter service throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The carrier’s charter customers include Harrah’s Entertainment, U.S. Forest Service, collegiate athletic organizations, film production companies and corporations. Allegiant’s fleet includes 25 MD80 series jet aircraft, all fitted with comfortable leather seats. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., Allegiant is a privately owned airline founded in 1997.