Allegiant Air - "From America's favorite (sic) small cities to world-class destinations", though a fairly localised airline for Las Vegas and the West side of the USA. They also specialise in routes from the Florida holiday resorts to East Coast places that are a little out the way. Flying since 1997 with mainly MD80's (two engines at the back).
Air Tran - Operates scheduled services from (mainly) Atlanta. Large company with 87 Boeing 717-200's and 41 Boeing 737's. Operates about 700 scheduled flights a day to 71 destinations mainly on the Eastern side of the USA. So, you may have not heard of them but they are no one horse outfit and really quite good. Usually on time and helpful staff.
Jet Blue - From New York, Boston and Washington to mainly East Coast destinations. Also fly to Oakland and Long beach (San Francisco) and San Diego. Mainly Airbuses (200-odd at the last count) with leather seats, satellite radio and surprisingly good legroom - Dunkin' Donuts available.
MidWest Airlines - Main bases are Kansas City and Milwaukee both of which are, er, midwest America. From here, they radiate out to the four corners of the USA, ie Seattle, LAX, SFO, Dallas, Atlanta and the main East Coast cities. Useful little airline using mainly MD80's. Flights include chocolate chip cookies. Quite slick service and stylish.
Ted - United Airlines offshoot.
SouthWest Airlines - 500 aircraft, 96.3 million passengers, 63 cities. Great airline, enthusiastic staff and go (usually) where you want, when you want. Pity that they do not interline with other airlines. Under two hours you get peanuts; over two hours, a sandwich. Soft drinks are free, beer, wine and spirits, 4 bucks.
Spirit Airlines - Former Detroit based charter airline which made a name for itself flying around the caribbean from Fort Lauderdale. Routes also include CCS, Lima and central America. Ultra low cost, which means you have to pay for everything, food, checking in bags. Useful in a limited sort of a way.
USA 3000 - Essentially a charter (holiday) airline but also operates sceduled services from North-East and Mid-West America to the Dominican Republic, Mexico (Cancun) and Florida. Meals cost 5 bucks a throw (credit cards only) - quite good they are, too! Jolly little airline, but limited use and does have the "charter" feel about it.
Suncountry Airlines - Very much local use. Based at Minneapolis and fly mainly to SFO, LAX, SAN, DFW, CUN, WAS, MCO, (Orlando!) and a few others. Seasonal routes include the caribbean and Mexico. Have a first class cabin with free food and drink. Friendly enough and try hard.
Here are included direct links to some low cost airline websites; if your are not sure who flies where - then use the "wegolow" search screen below to find out which budget airlines fly from which UK and many European airports. You will be booking directly on the wegolo system.
Budget Airlines USA
+ 44 (0) 1753 671 757
