On Tuesday, Jan. 12, low-cost airline Allegiant Air announced a new line connecting Asheville with Baltimore and the nation’s capital.
With one-way rates as low as $39, flights to and from the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport will begin departing in May. The airline already offers flights in the $40-60 range between Asheville Regional Airport and various locations in the Florida peninsula.
From Asheville Regional Airport:
ASHEVILLE, N.C. Jan. 12, 2016 – Allegiant(NASDAQ: ALGT) today announces service between Asheville and our nation’s capital via Baltimore / Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). The company, known for its exceptional travel deals, is offering one-way fares to Baltimore for as low as $39.*
“We’re thrilled to offer this new, low-cost nonstop opportunity to visit the Washington, D.C. area,” said Jude Bricker, Allegiant senior vice president of planning. “We’re sure Asheville area travelers will take advantage of this exciting new service to enjoy all that the capital has to offer, and we look forward to bringing more visitors and economic growth to the D.C. area.”
The seasonal flights will operate twice weekly and will fly nonstop between Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) and Baltimore / Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) beginning May 19, 2016 through Aug. 16, 2016. The flights provide the only nonstop option for Asheville area travelers to visit the Washington, D.C. area. Flight days, times and the lowest fares can be found only at Allegiant.com.
“Allegiant has grown significantly in their four years at Asheville Regional Airport, and has been embraced by the western North Carolina region,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., executive director. “It is exciting to welcome additional growth, especially to the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area-one of the top requested destinations by air travelers in our area. We anticipate excellent utilization of this service, and we also look forward to welcoming visitors from Maryland to Asheville.”
As a gateway to Washington D.C. and the entire Mid-Atlantic region, Baltimore offers travelers easy access to experience all that our nation’s capital has to offer. From its celebrated museums and monuments to world-class shopping and dining, Washington D.C. has become one of the most dynamic and exciting cities in the U.S. Asheville travelers can book their entire Baltimore / Washington vacation for less at Allegiant.com.
Allegiant offers a unique travel option to Asheville travelers. Focusing on low-cost leisure travel, the company provides customers with low base fares averaging nearly half of the cost of the average domestic round-trip fare. Allegiant’s innovative business model has allowed the company to grow from one aircraft and one route just over a decade ago, to providing convenient, affordable service in over 100 communities nationwide.
*About the introductory one-way fares: Seats are limited. Price includes taxes and fees. Fares are one way and not available on all flights. Must be purchased by Jan. 13, 2016 for travel by Aug. 16, 2016. Price displayed reflects purchase by debit card; purchase by credit card subject to surcharge not to exceed $8 each way per passenger. See Allegiant.comfor details. For optional services and baggage fees, please visit Allegiant.com. Additional restrictions may apply.
Uhm BWI airport is Baltimore not DC. DC is Dulles. I am a native to that area and you do NOT want to fly into BWI if you are going to DC. It’s 32 miles away, horribly congested, and can take hours to get anywhere close to DC. AS it is Allegiant is advertising direct flights to Baltimore, not DC (in reference to BWI airport).
Thanks for the info! I’ve updated the headline. :)
BWI is conveniently located and serves both Baltimore and the National Capital region. In fact, BWI is currently the busiest Washington airport. We are located virtually the *exact* same distance from the U.S. Capitol as Dulles. And BWI offers outstanding transit access to Washington via Amtrak, MARC Rail, or express bus.
Thanks for responding!
I’ve flown into BWI from LAX twice this past couple of months and taken the MARC Rail into Union Station in DC without any problems. Shuttles to the train station are very convenient and you can be in DC within 30 minutes. I will continue flying into BWI.
I have flown into BWI for trips to DC and taken a shuttle to The Metro line. Easy to get most anywhere as long as you don’t have too much to carry/roll. Reagan airport is closer but fares are rarely as low as going into BWI.
I currently live in DC and have found BWI to be much easier than Dulles. With the ease and availability of trains between BWI and Union Station in downtown taking just about 20-25 minutes (then connecting you directly to the metro), it takes so much less time in both directions than Dulles and is almost as convenient as Reagan (the ultimate compliment since Reagan is just across the Potomac). This flight is an amazing opportunity for AVL and residents in both locations!
PS- There are no actual airports in DC, so I think BWI (Maryland) is just as much of our airport as Dulles (which won’t be metro accessible for at least 5 years) or Reagan (both in Virginia)!
Good Luck. 39 dollars is a great deal if the flights are as scheduled.
I took Allegiant to Tampa from AVL last summer and had to wait 6 hours at the gate before departure. It was an evening flight and all the TSA crew left so nobody could go home and wait or we would not be able to get back through the secure checkpoint. On the return trip there was a 2hr weather delay, no biggie, but after boarding the plane we had to wait two more hours before take off while a radio was repaired.
Too bad the fees for the $37 flights are $111.
I was so excited about this because my parents live in MD. When I tried to book tonight, it was VERY expensive, even the featured “introductory offer” one way flights that have to be booked by tomorrow. Allegiant added over a hundred dollars in taxes and fees, cost for seat selection, and ANY bag (even carry on) has an extra charge. The cost was double the advertised rate, even on the cheapest days available. Though I am glad there is a nonstop flight available, it’s not the deal it’s made it to be.