Stephanie Serino's Travel Blog

The Elmira-Corning Airport is getting non-stop service to Fort Lauderdale just in time for Thanksgiving, and fares are starting at $45 each way plus tax (based on availability). Allegiant Airlines is flying twice a week (Mondays and Fridays) and the schedule is offered through May 2011 as of this posting. The flight times aren’t ideal: Elmira-Fort Lauderdale 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Fort Lauderdale-Elmira 4:10 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. This is a great option for flexible folks visiting family, but it is not recommended if you have a fixed schedule (and NEVER for cruise passengers). Allegiant is a charter airline, and the government rules regulating them are very different from the commercial airlines (like Delta and US Airways). If Friday's flight is cancelled (for weather, mechanical issues, whatever), they must book you on the next available flight or provide a refund. Hopefully, Monday's flight has seats available, so you'll only be 3 days late... They will not re-accommodate you...

The Elmira-Corning Airport is getting non-stop service to Orlando’s Sanford Airport starting this November. Allegiant Airlines (no, I’ve never heard of them before either) is flying Thursdays and Sundays and the schedule is offered through February 2009 as of this posting. The flight times aren’t ideal: Elmira-Sanford 10:20am- 1:00 pm; Sanford-Elmira 7:00am-9:40am. No way will I recommend them until service actually starts, and with such a limited schedule, I would never trust them for a cruise departure. I vividly remember Transmeridian flying to Sanford from Syracuse until they went belly-up stranding thousands (not my clients though). It is a decent option for folks visiting family and Thanksgiving flights are available for $89 each way plus tax (round-trip ticket is $196.50 with taxes included) if purchased before October 15. February Break prices are considerably higher already. Allegiant Airlines is based in Las Vegas , so let’s hope that if this Florida service is successful th...