More budget airline deals announced for Tampa Bay travelers

TAMPA, Fla. – Breeze Airways announced three new nonstop flights out of Tampa International Airport (TPA) beginning this summer time.

According to the airline’s on-line announcement,

• Starting July 1, nonstop service working 13 occasions weekly will run to Fort Lauderdale.
• Starting July 1 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, nonstop service will run to Atlantic City, NJ.
• Starting July 3 on Mondays and Fridays, nonstop service will run to Columbus, OH.

Allegiant Air just lately launched three new nonstop routes connecting St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) to Atlantic City, NJ (began Feb. 13); Trenton, NJ (began Feb. 20); and Huntsville, AL (beginning March 5).

READ: St. Pete-Clearwater Airport ranked 2nd most affordable in the US

“Airlines have their own strategies when it comes to picking out airports, and some prefer to be at a major airport. They find that those major airports may attract more travelers,” Henry Harteveldt, journey trade analyst at Atmosphere Research Group, mentioned. “Other budget airlines, like smaller airports — they’re less crowded, they are usually much less expensive to operate from, and they may serve a different population area. So, it’s really a matter of individual choice by airlines. There’s no one right or wrong answer.”

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But flying a budget airline comes at a worth, consultants say.

“They’re not as comfortable. You don’t get as much legroom on most of those airlines. The seats don’t even recline,” Harteveldt added. “And it’s an à la carte model. So, the base fare is essentially your seat and your seat belt. Everything else — whether it’s a carry-on bag, a checked bag, something to eat or drink on the plane, a better boarding priority seat assignment — all those things you’re going to pay extra for.”

It’s why consultants suggest purchasing round for totally different airways to search out the most effective fares. Passengers acknowledge the worth on this recommendation, too.

READ: Florida’s first injured K9 air medical transport program launched by Tampa General Aeromed

“I think it’s common these days with all carriers,” Breeze passenger Dave Scanlon mentioned of the included charges. “You got to know what you’re looking at on the website and read it carefully.”

Weighing all flight choices appears to be one thing extra passengers are doing nowadays.

“What’s very interesting to me is, I’m now seeing through our research more people with higher income levels—including people who are at $150,000 or more–flying on budget airlines because they don’t think the value on the traditional carriers is as strong as it once was,” Harteveldt mentioned.

What they’re saying:

Traveler Inez Denice was flying Breeze Airways for the primary time on Wednesday.

“I had heard about it — a couple of my friends had said that the flight process was just simple, and the cost wasn’t too bad. So, it’s like, why not?” Denice awning FOX 13.

Denice mentioned she travels quite a bit for work, so she’s at all times searching for a deal.

“With my business — it’s a mentoring business — and I kind of go out of town frequently to just mentor or to partner with other mentoring agencies. So, if I can cut costs on flying and traveling and kind of put the funds where they’ll best fit, then that’s absolutely the goal to do so,” Denice mentioned.