Avelo Airlines is making headlines with its latest expansion, announcing two new Chicago routes and solidifying its position as America's most reliable airline. The budget carrier, which has been rapidly growing since its 2021 launch, revealed new nonstop service from both Philadelphia's Wilmington Airport and Charlotte's Concord-Padgett Regional Airport to Chicago O'Hare, alongside the return of popular routes to Atlanta and Nashville. With one-way fares starting at just $34, Avelo continues to deliver on its promise of affordable, convenient air travel for millions of Americans.
How Avelo's Latest Expansion Unfolds: New Routes and Added Capacity
The November 12, 2025 announcement represents Avelo's continued growth strategy, adding six new routes to its network for February 2026. From Philadelphia/Delaware Valley's Wilmington Airport (ILG), Avelo will begin service to Chicago O'Hare on March 12, 2026, with four weekly flights, and to Atlanta starting February 12, 2026, with five weekly flights. From Charlotte's Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (USA), the airline will launch Chicago O'Hare and Nashville service beginning February 12, 2026, both operating four times weekly. Central Florida's Lakeland International Airport (LAL) will gain Detroit service starting February 11, 2026, and Atlanta service beginning February 13, 2026.
Timeline: How Avelo Became America's Fastest-Growing Budget Airline
Avelo's journey from startup to industry leader has been remarkably swift. The airline took its first flight on April 28, 2021, focusing on underserved markets and convenient regional airports. By December 2024, Avelo announced five new Connecticut destinations, including four from Tweed-New Haven Airport and Punta Cana service from Bradley International Airport. Throughout 2024, the airline opened new bases at Sonoma County Airport and Lakeland International Airport while expanding its Connecticut presence. The momentum continued into 2025 with Avelo being named America's most reliable airline based on 2024 performance data, followed by the November 2025 Chicago route expansion that represents the latest chapter in its growth story.
Why Avelo's Success Matters for Travelers: Reliability Meets Affordability
Avelo's rapid expansion isn't just about adding routes—it's built on a foundation of exceptional reliability that sets it apart in the budget airline segment. In 2024, Avelo ranked #1 in on-time performance with 83.9% of flights arriving within 15 minutes of schedule, significantly outperforming the industry average of 77.6%. Even more impressively, the airline achieved the lowest flight cancellation rate in the U.S. airline industry at just 0.48%, compared to the industry average of 1.33%. These results, verified by leading aviation data services company Anuvu (the same provider used by The Wall Street Journal for its annual airline rankings), demonstrate that affordable fares don't have to mean compromised reliability.
Where Avelo Stands Now: A Growing Network and Enhanced Customer Experience
Today, Avelo serves 41 cities spanning 15 states and Puerto Rico, plus three international destinations: Jamaica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. The airline operates a fleet of 22 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft across eight bases, including Southern Connecticut's Tweed-New Haven Airport, Philadelphia's Wilmington Airport, Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Central Florida's Lakeland International Airport, Charlotte's Concord-Padgett Regional Airport, and Coastal North Carolina's Wilmington International Airport. With over 8.2 million customers flown on more than 66,000 flights since its inception, Avelo has consistently delivered world-class customer satisfaction scores that rank among the best airlines globally.
What's Next for Avelo: New Aircraft and Membership Program Enhancements
Looking ahead, Avelo shows no signs of slowing down. The airline has announced plans to become the first U.S. carrier to fly Embraer 195-E2 aircraft, with an order of up to 100 new planes that will modernize its fleet, reduce operating costs, and fuel future growth. Additionally, Avelo launched Avelo PLUS in Fall 2025—a membership program offering exclusive benefits like discounted fares, free priority boarding, special promotions, and a $50 renewal bonus. Members can share perks with up to nine others, making family and group travel more affordable. The airline continues to expand its seating options with Standard, Stretch, and Stretch+ configurations, while maintaining policies that automatically seat children 14 and under with accompanying adults at no extra cost.
The Bottom Line: Key Points for Savvy Travelers
Avelo Airlines represents a compelling option for budget-conscious travelers who don't want to sacrifice reliability. With industry-leading on-time performance, the lowest cancellation rate among U.S. airlines, and fares starting as low as $34 one-way, the carrier delivers exceptional value. Its growing network of convenient regional airports makes travel smoother and less stressful, while new route announcements like the Chicago expansion provide more options for travelers across the Eastern United States. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, Avelo's combination of affordability, reliability, and expanding destination network makes it an airline worth watching—and flying.
