Allegiant to Add Orlando (MCO) After Decade-Long Hiatus

Ultra-low-cost carrier Allegiant is well known in Florida. The leisure carrier currently has five crew bases in the state of Florida and operates a point-to-point route structure. A predominant portion of the carrier’s Florida operation is out of Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB). The ULCC carrier dominates the airport north of the city. However, the carrier is shaking up its Orlando presence, announcing new flights from the area’s larger airport, Orlando International, in the spring of 2024. 

As first reported by Enilria.com, Orlando Sanford Airport is going through a rough patch with the airport operator, who was dismissed by the airport’s board of directors. Being one of two air carriers to operate at the airport, Allegiant is largely susceptible to issues that may arise due to this change in operation. 

Orlando International Airport

A press release from the Las Vegas-based carrier shows the airline will operate three routes to Orlando International beginning in May 2024. The airline will launch flights from Asheville to Orlando beginning May 3. Flights from Allentown’s Lehigh Valley International Airport and Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport will follow on May 16 and 17 respectively. All three routes will be operated twice weekly. Asheville and Knoxville will see service to Orlando on Monday and Friday, while the carrier will operate from Allentown on Thursday and Sunday. 

This will be the first time Allegiant has served Orlando International Airport since January 2011.

Allegiant’s three new routes out of Orlando International will begin in 2024. (Photo: gcmap.com)

Allegiant will join a multitude of other low-cost carriers operating out of Orlando International Airport, including Southwest who just added several new international flights. The current schedule for May and Summer 2023 still shows Sanford holding onto routes to the three eastern United States cities. In addition, the airline is adding a new route from Orlando Sanford to Rapid City, S.D. in May 2024.

An Allegiant A319 in Pittsburgh. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The Nevada-based carrier’s route structure is created upon day trips for crews. This means crews begin and end their days in their respective bases. Asheville, Allentown, and Knoxville are all crew bases for Allegiant along with Orlando Sanford. The flight schedule has been built with turn times of 50 minutes in Orlando International, leading to believe the flights will be staffed by crews from the three bases, not crews from nearby Orlando Sanford. 

The low-cost carrier will join 41 other airlines operating out of Orlando International. Based on December 2023 schedules, Frontier will operate from Orlando International to McGhee Tyson three times weekly, however, the other two cities will not see service to the Central Florida destination. 

More New Routes

While Orlando (MCO) is the only new airport in the carrier’s Thursday route announcement, it is adding a handful of other new routes. Starting in Spring 2024, Allegiant will bolster its network in 22 cities. These routes include:

• St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) to Bismarck Airport (BIS) – beginning on May 15, 2024
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Billings-Logan International Airport (BIL) – beginning on May 16, 2024
• Nashville International Airport (BNA) to Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) – beginning on May 16, 2024
• Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) – beginning on May 16, 2024
• Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) to Dulles International Airport (IAD) – beginning on May 16, 2024
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Appleton International Airport (ATW) – beginning on May 17, 2024
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) – beginning May 17, 2024
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Eugene Airport (EUG) – beginning on May 31, 2024

All routes are presumed to be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft based on current information from the airline’s website. The low-cost carrier will begin taking delivery of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in 2024.

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Zach Cooke

Zach’s love for aviation began when he was in elementary school with a flight sim and model planes. This passion for being in the air only intensified throughout high school when he earned his Private Pilot Certificate. He then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, earning his certificates and ratings to later flight instruct and share his passion for aviation with others. He now resides in the North East living out his dream as an airline pilot.

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