Low-cost startup Avelo just celebrated its one-year anniversary — here's what passengers can expect onboard the no-frills airline (2024)

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New low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines just celebrated its one-year anniversary, having flown its maiden flight on April 28, 2021.

I flew on America's newest airline, Avelo, for $19 and the friendly service more than made up for the complete lack of frills

The startup launched its operation out of Burbank, California, as an alternative to the busy Los Angeles International Airport, and has continued to strengthen its business model that is focused on simplicity and convenience.

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Here's what passengers can expect on each Avelo flight, including bag fees, inflight amenities, and everything in between.

Avelo's business model is flying point-to-point to connect small and medium-sized markets, meaning no layovers. The carrier flies mostly short-haul, with its longest route being about three hours from Connecticut to Florida.

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The airline has two current bases — New Haven, Connecticut, on the East Coast, and Burbank, California, on the West Coast. From its hubs, Avelo has created a network of 26 leisure routes to places like Las Vegas, Boise, Orlando, Sonoma County, Nashville, and Savannah.

However, the carrier will open a third base at Orlando International Airport in June. Three new routes will begin this summer, including Charleston, Baltimore, and Wilmington, North Carolina.

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Because of the leisure focus, Avelo CEO Andrew Levy told Insider that the company is dedicated to maintaining a simple and convenient business model.

He explained the booking process is designed to be straightforward, allowing passengers to book, change, and check-in for flights on Avelo's website or mobile app. Boarding passes can be added directly from the app to a mobile wallet.

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Moreover, there are no change or cancellation fees. So, if a traveler needs to cancel, they will get a voucher for future use. Passengers can take advantage of this policy if a flight they booked goes down in price after. Meanwhile, changes will incur a fare difference.

Levy told Insider that since its launch last year, the company has made efforts to improve its website. Specifically, travelers can make changes online without contacting the call center, as well as add hotels and cars to their trip.

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Avelo has also made TSA PreCheck available in its systems, so those with the expedited security screening can add their Known Traveler Number to their reservation and have it show on their boarding pass.

Each Avelo fare includes an unassigned seat and a personal item, but unlike Spirit or Frontier, you cannot bundle amenities for a reduced cost, only add-on at a fixed rate.

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Extra costs, which are all charged one-way, include $15 for priority boarding, up to $50 for an assigned seat, $125 for a pet in the cabin, $35 for the first checked bag, $45 for the second checked bag, and $40 for carry-on luggage.

Source: Avelo Airlines

Levy said that carry-ons and checked bags are the same prices regardless of the route, but in time the rate will vary depending on the destination.

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Personal items and carry-on bags have maximum dimensions allowed, which are 14″L x 9"W x 9.5″H (35 cm x 23 cm x 24 cm) and 22"L x 9"W x 14"H (56 cm x 22 cm x 35 cm), respectively.

Source: Avelo Airlines

Meanwhile, checked bags have a maximum allowed weight of 50 pounds and the overall dimensions can be up to 62 inches. Passengers will pay $50 extra for overweight luggage and an additional $50 for oversized bags.

Source: Avelo Airlines

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He also explained that checked bags will cost less than carry-ons, encouraging people to check their luggage. This helps prevent any delays that could happen if overhead space fills and the agents are forced to gate-check carry-ons.

Levy noted that while many people prefer not to have to wait on their luggage at their destination, most of the airports the carrier flies to are small, and moving luggage to bag claim is a quicker process.

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However, passengers should expect a longer wait at bigger airports like Orlando or Las Vegas.

In regards to the fleet, the carrier currently operates six all-economy Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) aircraft, with the -800 model on the West Coast and the -700 model on the East Coast. Avelo will have 15 planes by the end of the year.

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The 737-700 has less capacity than the 737-800 and the seats do not recline, though some -800 aircraft on the West Coast do recline. However, it is possible the airline will change the seats in the future to eliminate recline altogether, similar to other low-cost carriers.

The -700 cabin has 147 seats while the -800 has 189 seats, each offering 29 inches of pitch and about 17 inches of width. Also available are extra legroom seats that offer up to 38 inches of pitch, which can be reserved for an added fee.

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After flying on the inaugural flight last year, the seats have minimal padding and the comfort is similar to low-cost competitors. However, they are bearable for short flights, in my opinion, though taller passengers may feel a little tight with the reduced pitch.

For reference, I'm 5'4" but I did not feel cramped for the short hop from Burbank to Sonoma County.

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Onboard, passengers will experience a bare-bones product, meaning just seats, small tray tables, and seatback pockets. There is no inflight entertainment, power outlets, or a-la-carte menus.

Avelo does not offer any buy-on-board snacks or beverages like Spirit, Allegiant, and Frontier do. Instead, water is provided for free and, on some routes, passengers will receive a complimentary cookie.

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Levy said the company has shied away from buy-on-board menus because they do not see a lot of demand for it.

For boarding and deplaning, passengers will use airstairs or airramps in many locations, including Burbank and New Haven. The company avoids using jet bridges to save on costs.

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For passengers worried about the company's reliability, Levy told Insider that Avelo's on-time performance is sound, with about 85% of its flights leaving on schedule over the past year, minus those that had uncontrollable disruptions caused by factors like weather or air traffic control.

Moreover, he explained that Avelo's flight schedules ensure the aircraft are back in a base every night, which is beneficial for a number of reasons, like allowing flight crews to be better rested because they can sleep at home rather than in a hotel.

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Moreover, any maintenance issues that arise can be taken care of overnight rather than a plane ending its day in a non-base city where the airline does not have mechanics, reducing the likelihood of maintenance-related delays or cancellations.