Avelo Airlines Celebrates Milestone Fifth Anniversary

This week Avelo Airlines is celebrating the fifth anniversary of their first flight, which took to the skies on April 28, 2021.  In May 2024, the carrier also took flight at Lakeland International Airport, introducing affordable air service to Polk County travelers. 

Avelo Boeing 737NG - Courtesy Avelo Airlines

On Thursday (April 30, 2026), Avelo Airlines announced the celebration of their fifth anniversary this week, marking carrier’s first flight, which took to the skies on April 28, 2021, becoming the first new airline in the U.S. in nearly 15 years.   Avelo took flight at Central Florida’s Lakeland International Airport (LAL) in May 2024, introducing a new era of affordable, convenient, and reliable air service to Polk County travelers.  Avelo celebrated their fifth anniversary at LAL with ticket-voucher giveaways, and sweet treats.  Avelo is marking the occasion with a fifth anniversary promo code ‘5YEARS’ offering travelers $50 off round-trip base fares between May and November (T&Cs apply).

In Thursday’s announcement, Avelo Airlines’ Founder and CEO, Andrew Levy, said,

“Five years ago, Avelo took flight with a simple but powerful purpose – to Inspire Travel.  Since then, we’ve fulfilled that mission for more than 9.3 million Customers who have experienced our money-saving low fares and time-saving convenience.  In May 2024 we proudly launched service at Lakeland International Airport, bringing affordable, convenient, and reliable air travel to Central Florida.  Our growth in Lakeland has been noteworthy, and with more airplanes and destinations on the way, we look forward to welcoming aboard millions of new and returning Customers in the years ahead.”

Since 2021, Avelo has served over 9.3 million guests on more than 74,000 flights.  The company has also developed a balanced network with 60 routes across 34 destinations, and has also built their team to over 1,000 employees.  Avelo’s fleet has also grown from three Boeing Next-Generation (NG) 737 jets to 15 aircraft today (14 189-seat 737-800NGs and one 149-seat 737-700 NG).  The airline also has commitments for two additional aircraft deliveries by the end of 2026.

From Lakeland Florida, the carrier has served over 320,000 guests on more than 2,400 flights since May 2024.  Avelo currently serves nine routes to/from their Lakeland base, and employees over 130 Central Florida team members.  Customers can currently fly from LAL to Atlanta, Charlotte / Concord (NC), Detroit and Grand Rapids (MI), Nashville (TN), New Haven (CT), Philadelphia / Wilmington (DE), Rochester (NY) and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Avelo Airlines was founded with the simple purpose to ‘Inspire Travel’, while saving customers time and money with nonstop flights and everyday low fares.  Since taking flight on April 28, 2021, the carrier has served over 9.3 million guests on more than 73,000 flights.  Avelo operates a fleet of Boeing 737NG airplanes, and in 2028 will become the first U.S. airline to fly Embraer 195-E2s, with an order of up to 100 new aircraft.  The carrier currently serves 34 popular destinations across 14 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, including their four bases at Southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), the Philadelphia / Delaware Valley region’s Wilmington Airport (ILG), Central Florida’s Lakeland International Airport (LAL) and Charlotte’s Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (USA).  In late 2026, the airline will open a fifth base at North Dallas’s McKinney National Airport (TKI).

Source: Avelo Airlines