Business

Discount airline debuts AVL-to-Palm Beach flight

An Allegiant Air flight takes off for Punta Gorda in this file photo from November 2013.

By Bill Moss, Published: May 15, 2014

Adding a fifth a Florida destination, Allegiant Air will celebrate the inaugural flight from Asheville to Palm Beach this afternoon.

The Asheville Regional Airport and the discount airline planned a ribbon cutting for the flight from Gate 2.
"One reason this particular flight is different and newsworthy is that they are taking people to leisure destinations all over but they've never served Palm Beach before," said Tina Kinsey, director of marketing for Asheville Regional Airport.  "We're the only airport that has service to all five Florida destinations."
Allegiant, which bases its business model on low-cost no-frills flights packaged with hotel stays and car rentals in vacation destinations, previously launched service from Asheville to Punta Gorda, Orlando-Sanford, Fort Lauderdale and Clearwater-St. Petersburg.
Current prices for one-way tickets to Palm Beach range from $49 and to $180. Flights depart Asheville on Thursdays and Sundays. Return flights from Palm Beach to Asheville are offered the same two days, with fares ranging from $49 to $113. The airline charges a fee for checked bags and carry-ons and charges for in-flight beverages and snacks.
"One reason the flights do so well is because we are also a destination and they're just as full or fuller coming from Florida," Kinsey said.