Florida is gearing up for exciting news: New routings added to several key Florida airports are expected to impact thousands of future Disney World trips. Here’s what’s going to happen.
Credit: Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air Adds More Stops to Major Florida Airports, Gives Hundreds of Disney Guests More Access to Parks
Allegiant Air, commonly known as Allegiant, is a major American airline based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Established in 1997, the airline operates under an ultra-low-cost business model, catering primarily to leisure travelers from small and medium-sized cities often underserved by other carriers. Allegiant’s model emphasizes low base fares with numerous additional fees for optional services.
The airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company, a publicly traded entity with approximately 5,600 employees and a market capitalization exceeding $2.6 billion as of 2016. Allegiant ranks as the fourteenth-largest airline in North America. The airline is expanding into Florida, as more stops will be added to major airports nationwide, giving folks an even better chance to visit Walt Disney World Resort.
Allegiant Air is expanding its services to several Florida airports, introducing new routes with attractive fares. Starting November 14, 2024, the airline will begin flights to Punta Gorda/Fort Myers, Florida, via Punta Gorda Airport (PGD), with one-way fares starting at $39. On November 15, 2024, Allegiant will add flights to Fort Lauderdale/Miami, Florida, via Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and to St. Pete/Tampa, Florida, via St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), both with one-way fares as low as $39.
Credit: Allegiant Air
How Does This Relate to Walt Disney World Guests?
Introducing new Allegiant Air routes to several Florida airports is poised to make travel to popular destinations like Walt Disney World Resort more accessible. With flights to Punta Gorda/Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale/Miami, and St. Pete/Tampa beginning in mid-November, more travelers from small and medium-sized cities will have affordable options to reach these key Florida locations.
Allegiant’s expansion includes one-way fares starting at $39, significantly lowering the cost barrier for families and individuals planning trips to major attractions. This increased connectivity is expected to boost regional tourism, providing a convenient and budget-friendly travel solution for those visiting Walt Disney World Resort and other popular sites.
By offering these new routes, Allegiant Air enhances its service network and supports Florida’s tourism industry. The added flights are anticipated to attract more visitors, contributing to the local economy and allowing more people to experience the magic of Walt Disney World Resort and other renowned attractions.
Credit: Allegiant Air
Current Chaos in the Air
A global tech outage over the weekend left thousands of air travelers stranded and airlines scrambling to restore normal operations. The disruption, now in its third day, has underscored the vulnerabilities in the modern travel infrastructure. By Sunday evening, FlightAware.com, a flight tracking website, reported over 1,600 flights into, within, or out of the United States had been canceled.
Additionally, more than 8,500 flights were delayed. According to the site, Delta Air Lines was particularly affected, with over 1,000 grounded flights. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) addressed the issue on Friday, labeling the flight delays and cancellations as “controllable” and attributing them to the airlines. This classification requires airlines to adhere to their customer service obligations.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg took to social media to remind airlines that passengers are entitled to a full refund for canceled flights if they choose not to rebook. As airlines work to recover from the outage, the situation highlights the critical need for robust technological systems in the travel industry. The widespread disruption has caused significant inconvenience for travelers and prompted calls for airline technology improvements and customer service protocols.
Since first stepping inside the Magic Kingdom at nine years old, I knew I was destined to be a theme Park enthusiast. Although I consider myself a theme Park junkie, I still have much to learn and discover about Disney. Universal Orlando Resort has my heart; being an Annual Passholder means visiting my favorite places on Earth when possible! When I’m not writing about Disney, Universal, or entertainment news, you’ll find me cruising on my motorcycle, hiking throughout my local metro parks, or spending quality time with my girlfriend, family, or friends.