I love luxury—but I can’t resist a steal.
So when I heard that Avelo Airlines, one of the newer budget carriers on the scene, was finally offering flights in the Carolinas, I knew I had to give it a shot. The idea of getting to new destinations without spending a fortune? Count me in.
But here’s the thing: it took over a year for the stars to align. Between their limited flight schedule and the fact that the closest airports they serve are still quite a drive from my home base in Charlotte, I hadn’t had the chance—until now.
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When Avelo launched their Raleigh to Rochester route, I grabbed an $88 round-trip ticket faster than you can say “cheap flight.” I’m no stranger to the ULCC (Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier) hustle—tiny bags, no snacks, roll-the-dice seating—and while I expected some bumps, there were definitely a few surprises along the way.
So if you’re thinking about flying Avelo for the first time, let me save you some guesswork. Here are 13 essential things to know before you book:
1. Flights aren’t available every day
Yes, Avelo technically flies seven days a week—but most routes operate just two or three days. So flexibility is key. Even their ten bases (from Burbank and New Haven to Lakeland) don’t offer daily service to each destination.
2. They don’t fly everywhere either
Avelo’s game is connecting lesser-known airports with bigger ones, and their routes often stay regional. Their current coverage is still pretty coastally divided. Check their live route map here to see if your ideal route is available.
3. Add-ons can add up fast
That low fare? It’s just your ticket to board the plane. Bags, seat choices, even early boarding—all cost extra. And unlike some other ULCCs, there’s no bundle discount magic. You can review all their fees here.
Want more destination tips? Browse my full set of travel guides.
Want to save? Travel light. Skip seat assignments if you’re okay sitting apart. Share checked baggage. And don’t fall for the upsell trap if you can do without it. Pro tip: Avelo usually doesn’t check bag sizes at the gate (more on that later).
That said, if you’re flying with young kids, spring for assigned seats—trust me. I saw more than one family get scattered around the cabin because they skipped the fee.
4. Tickets are more flexible than you’d think
If plans change, Avelo’s got your back—sort of. Cancel at least 15 minutes before departure and you’ll get flight credit for a future trip. It’s not a full refund, but it’s better than nothing. And if you cancel within 24 hours of booking and your flight is more than a week away, U.S. law guarantees a full refund.
5. Personal item size: very specific
Avelo used to have the tiniest personal item dimensions—14″ x 9″ x 9.5″—but they’ve upgraded them to 17″ x 13″ x 9″ (yay!). Still, this is snug, especially compared to other carriers like Spirit. But with the right bag and smart packing, it’s doable.
Need help packing light? Check my personal item packing guides.
We squeezed our bags under the limit—barely. Michael used his Away backpack, I stuck with my go-to Longchamp. No one checked our bags at the gate either time. But if you want to play it safe, here’s a backpack that fits Avelo’s size perfectly (and it’s affordable).
6. Check-in quirks: expect glitches
I don’t usually pay for seats, and I’ve learned that for some airlines, check-in timing can influence your assignment. With Avelo? It’s anyone’s guess. We checked in 9 hours before both flights—got split once, sat together once. Turns out, Avelo assigns seats totally at random, so don’t stress over the check-in time.
The process wasn’t exactly seamless. The website glitched, the app froze, and it took multiple browser attempts to access our boarding passes. Eventually, we got through and received them by text, but Avelo’s tech still needs polish.
7. Boarding is refreshingly easy
No endless boarding groups here. Avelo uses four boarding groups—simple. If you purchased a carry-on, you’ll likely be in Groups 1 or 2. If you’re just bringing a personal item, expect Group 3 or 4. From what I saw, those with rear seats generally board earlier too.
And here’s the best part: there’s zero need to scramble for overhead space. Most people don’t buy carry-ons, so there’s plenty of room. Just chill—everyone’s getting on the same plane.
8. Their on-time record is… okay?
Both our flights were late—first by two hours, second by ninety minutes. I reached out to Avelo, and according to their data via OAG, they clocked in at 80% on-time for the first half of 2023. Better than many majors, surprisingly.
On the bright side, the gate crew really tried to keep everyone’s spirits up. Trivia games, music, even a YMCA dance party. Did it work? Not exactly—but props for the effort!
9. The seats are, well, not luxurious
The planes are clean and modern, but let’s not kid ourselves—these seats aren’t built for lounging. There’s barely any padding, minimal recline, and very little wiggle room. If you’ve flown with Spirit or Frontier, you know the drill. That said, Avelo sticks to short routes, which helps.
10. Don’t expect snacks
You might hear stories about free cookies and water—but we didn’t see either on our flights. Avelo doesn’t offer regular beverage service, so pack your own snacks and a full reusable water bottle. Anything else? Consider it a bonus.
11. Staff are friendly—even when things go sideways
Delays happen, but every staff member we encountered—from gate agents to flight crew—stayed upbeat and professional. It’s easy to be polite when things are running smoothly. It’s harder when flights are delayed and passengers are grumpy. Big kudos to the Avelo team.
12. So. Many. Kids.
Budget airlines are popular with families for obvious reasons: they’re affordable. So don’t be surprised if you find yourself surrounded by energetic, noisy, sometimes iPad-wielding little ones. It’s all part of the experience. My advice? Invest in noise-canceling headphones—you’ve earned it with the money you saved on the flight.
13. Weekly giveaways on Instagram
Every Tuesday, Avelo gives away free flights on Instagram as part of their Two Ticket Twosday promo. Your chances might be slim (they’ve got over 175k followers), but hey—someone’s gotta win, right?
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Final thoughts on flying Avelo
Would I fly with them again?
…Maybe. The prices are tempting, and the flights are short. But I’d aim for a closer departure airport—driving home from Raleigh after a late arrival wasn’t fun. Still, with new routes from Concord (just 25 minutes away), I’m keeping an eye out.
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May 2024 Edit: I hopped on Avelo’s inaugural Concord to New Haven flight. Our outbound was on time, but the return was delayed. Still, no issues with our personal items and no bag checks at the gate. We did get split up both ways though—so decide for yourself if sitting together is worth the extra cash.
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July 2024 Edit: Avelo announced six new routes from Concord, including Albany, Manchester, Hartford, Lakeland, Wilmington, and Rochester. Yes, I’m excited. Yes, I’ll be flying again soon.
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December 2024 Edit: Avelo is ramping up East Coast service. From North Carolina alone, you can now get to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Nashville, and Daytona Beach. Budget travel is leveling up.
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Questions for you
Have you flown Avelo? Got tips or stories to share with fellow travelers?
Or if you’re still on the fence—what’s holding you back?
