News Summary
Chattanooga travelers can look forward to an exciting expansion of nonstop flights to Florida, starting in May 2025. Allegiant Air is adding additional roundtrips from Chattanooga to both St. Pete-Clearwater and Orlando, with a new seasonal route to Punta Gorda kicking off in February. This growth comes as Chattanooga Lovell Field experiences increased demand and aims to attract more local travelers in the face of competition from Atlanta and Nashville airports.
Exciting News for Chattanooga Travelers!
Chattanooga is buzzing with excitement as Allegiant Air announces its plans to expand nonstop flights from our lovely city to sunny Florida destinations, starting in May 2025! For anyone dreaming of sandy beaches, palm trees, and warm sun, this is fantastic news!
More Flights, More Fun!
Allegiant is ramping things up big time! They will increase their nonstop flights from Chattanooga Airport to the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Tampa Bay. Presently, the airline operates two roundtrips a week, but this is set to soar to four roundtrips a week from May to August. Yes, you heard that right! More chances to soak up that Florida sunshine each week.
But that’s not all! They are also planning to add another roundtrip flight between Chattanooga and Orlando-Sanford International Airport, pushing the total to three weekly flights from May to September. It looks like summer 2025 is going to be packed with fun-filled trips to Florida’s hottest spots.
Why the Increase?
What’s driving this expansion, you might wonder? Well, the increased demand for flights is a significant factor. Airport officials have noted that Chattanooga Lovell Field is experiencing a surge in popularity! In 2024, the airport set a passenger boarding record with nearly 557,000 passengers, beating the previous record by a smidge. That’s an impressive 14.1% increase from 2023!
It’s little surprise considering that Lovell Field had its booming December ever in 2024, with a remarkable 47,449 passengers boarding, marking a solid 21% rise compared to the previous year. Even more exciting, airlines offered a whopping 30% more seats in January 2025 than they did the previous January! It seems that more and more locals are discovering the convenience of flying from their own backyard.
Aiming for Growth
But wait, there’s more! There’s a whole new world of potential for growth at our beloved airport. Many local travelers still choose to fly from Atlanta or Nashville, leaving a significant % of traffic on the table. A recent study revealed that only 39% of potential passengers in the tri-state area used Chattanooga Airport in 2023. If they can make Lovell Field more appealing, we could see even *more* flights and perhaps even more airlines joining the party.
However, their efforts have not gone unnoticed. They recently learned Chattanooga had made the list of the most expensive airports to fly from in the U.S. with an average fare of $528 in 2023. Not the best news, but they’re on it! To counteract this, airport officials are stepping up their marketing game with fresh initiatives. They are improving the airport website, launching advertising campaigns, and boosting their social media presence to entice more travelers. It’s definitely time to show everyone just how convenient Lovell Field can be!
New Destinations on the Horizon!
Just when you thought it couldn’t get better, Allegiant is also introducing a seasonal nonstop flight to Punta Gorda, Florida, starting on February 13, 2025! With service running twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays, you’ll have more options to hit those gorgeous east coast beaches or explore nearby attractions like Sarasota and Fort Myers. And the icing on the cake? Introductory fares start at just $49 one-way! What a steal!
It looks like Allegiant is keen to make travel easier, especially with their combo of marketing funds and waived landing fees. Plus, they’ve already rolled out new nonstops to Las Vegas earlier this year! And let’s not forget about Delta Airlines resuming its service to LaGuardia Airport in New York City after a years-long absence, making travel options even sweeter for Chattanooga residents.
Time to Pack Your Bags!
With these changes coming to Lovell Field in the next few years, it’s the perfect time to start dreaming about your next adventure. Grab your sunscreen and flip flops, because soon enough, you’ll be heading to Florida much quicker than before. So, are you ready for a getaway? The sunny skies of Florida are calling your name!
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Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: Allegiant Air Expands Flights
- Wikipedia: Chattanooga
- Local 3 News: New Nonstop Flight to Punta Gorda
- Google Search: Chattanooga Airport
- KOAA: Allegiant Announces New Service to Colorado Springs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Airline
- Gulfshore Business: New Route from Punta Gorda to Chattanooga
- Google News: Allegiant Air News
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
