Allegiant Air offers $39.99 fare to Orlando

GREENVILLE -- Low-cost carrier Allegiant Air is beckoning travelers to try its new nonstop flight from the Upstate to Orlando International Airport with an enticing $39.99 one-way fare and a free night at a hotel.

It's a great deal if you want to do Disney, but hardly solves the Upstate's enduring weakness of easy air travel, which site consultants say is a barrier to the kind of economic development the region covets.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant, a leisure carrier, began its service from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport last week, a move called for by many of its passengers.

Allegiant isn't the solution to GSP's need for low-cost carriers because it serves a niche market. Since it seldom has major competition on its routes -- only eight of 69 destinations have direct competition -- it doesn't drive other carriers' fares down as some low-fare carriers do.

Direct and easy air access throughout the country is a hindrance to Upstate economic development efforts, said Damian McKinney, who represented Proterra LLC with eRealty Companies Inc. as the busmaker considered locating a plant in Greenville. That, he told The Greenville News, is a "big hurdle" for corporate leaders.

GSP officials, state legislators and business leaders are continuing their discussions with Southwest Airlines and other low-fare airlines to try to lure a broad-based carrier to the region.

"People tell us they want a low-fare carrier. People tell us they want lower fares," GSP Executive Director Dave Edwards said in a recent interview.

Tracy Leenman, a Greer resident, said Allegiant's presence here gives the Upstate a desirable nonstop option to destinations in Florida.

Leenman said she previously had to stop over in Atlanta while traveling, and the trip could take an entire day.

Allegiant's MD-80 twin-engine jets, which are larger than aircraft used by regional carriers and have a good safety record, is one factor in choosing the airline, she said.

Allegiant, which considers itself a niche airline that flies passengers to vacation destinations, moved its service between Greenville, and nine other cities, from Orlando-Sanford Airport to Orlando International Airport to be closer to Orlando attractions, more convenient for vacation travelers and to be more competitive with other airlines, said Sabrina LoPiccolo, Allegiant spokeswoman.

It will, however, continue service from some cities to the smaller airport.

The airline typically flies into smaller communities with MD-80s, full-bodied planes, flying several times a week rather than daily, usually starting with two flights weekly and then expanding as demand grows.

In January, the company reported a load factor of 90.3 percent for its entire route structure, she said.

In addition to its airline business, Allegiant is a travel company, and customers use it for hotels, attraction tickets and rental cars.

"You can bundle everything together," she said, adding that ancillary sales help the company remain profitable.

Allegiant also charges for extras such as beverages, snacks, advance seat assignments, baggage, travel insurance and other add-ons, thus maintaining its low fares and its profitability That amounts to an average of a little more than $33 a passenger, according to Allegiant. In addition, passengers pay a security fee.

Allegiant is one of the most consistently profitable airlines operating, according to USA Today. It posted a $10.5 million profit, or 52 cents a share, for the October-through-December quarter. Its parent company, Allegiant Travel, has been profitable for 28 consecutive quarters.

Last year, Allegiant was honored with the Federal Aviation Administration's Aviation Maintenance Technician Diamond Award of Excellence, the highest level of achievement in the AMT program. The award recognizes the airline and its eligible maintenance technicians, who provide various levels of maintenance work.

Flights from GSP to Orlando operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Planes will depart from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport at 2:05 p.m. and arrive in Orlando at 3:30 p.m. Flights will leave Orlando at 7:30 a.m., arriving at GSP at 8:55 a.m.

Introductory fares for the new service are $39.99 one way. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 24 for travel completed by Sept. 30. Introductory fares are blocked March 31 and April 1-2, April 11-12 and April 18, Allegiant said. Tickets must be purchased seven days in advance.

Allegiant also provides nonstop service from GSP to the Tampa Bay area, Fort Lauderdale and the Southwest Florida coast.