This fall, a new airline will start offering three, new non-stop flights from San Antonio to tourist destinations. It's the first time a new domestic airline has been added in about six years.
Allegiant Air will offer one-way, non-stop flights to Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, and Las Vegas starting at $49. Jude Bricker, the company’s senior vice president of planning, says San antonio is their fifth Texas market.
“Texas is a real strong area for Southwest but their fares have gone up quite a bit over recent years and so I think that’s an opportunity for us to offer travelers that a real price sensitive a real,” he said.
The company’s flights average about $75 one way. The airline, however, charges between $15 and $50 per carry-on bag and checked bags. The airline website says it also charges for drinks and snacks.
These destinations, primarily for tourist travel, are a step in the San Antonio airport’s push for more direct flights. It currently has 37 non-stops through all of its carriers. Boston- a key business center - is one of the next cities San Antonio Aviation Director Frank Miller hopes will become a non-stop destination.
“In partnership with the Greater Chamber [of Commerce] we’re looking at analyzing that, developing a strategy, identifying which airline we think would make the most sense for that as well,” Miller said.
When Allegiant service starts in November the airline will offer about two flights per week to each destination from San Antonio.