What I Learned Traveling on Avelo Airlines
Updated: Dec 5
This low-cost, 10 airplane carrier for cheap flights around major US cities was a breeze to travel on. I recently traveled from Orlando's MCO airport to the teeny tiny New Haven Tweed airport (and back), and the experience was pretty darn good! Read on for an Avelo Airlines review detailing my thoughts on the bag sizes (for personal items on Avelo), for the booking process, insider tips, and the on-board experience.
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Booking Your Flight
With an easy to use app and streamlined booking process on their website, booking a cheap flight on Avelo Airlines was just as simple as any other booking tool.
Search for flights using my tips on using the Google Flights tool, or book directly at AveloAir.com.
You can also browse cheap flights on CheapOair for cost comparisons.
Preparing For Your Trip
Check-In Experience
When prreparing for your Avelo Airlines trip, you will want to be aware that the earlier you check in, the better seat you (seemingly) get assigned. For both legs of my journey, I checked in within 2 minutes of the departure time (24 hours in advance, ie check in at 1025 Thursday for a 1025 Friday flight) and was assigned rows 11 and 15 (respectively, per leg).
This proves to me that it may very well be similar to Southwest Airlines, where the early bird gets the better seats.
Check in is easy to click through without much additional input needed, if any, and I even did it from a mall dressing room when I got the alert. It's super quick!
Get your boarding pass sent to you in multiple ways, making it even easier to access at the airport.
Avelo Baggage Sizes
Similar to most other budget airlines, Avelo allows only a personal sized item for underseat storage for free. Any carry on bags or checked bags will incur a fee.
With my experience with low cost airlines in Europe like Ryan Air, Vueling, and overseas carrier Norse Airlines, I've expertly packed a week's worth of clothes into this tiny personal item sized bag, and it's completely possible, if you're a cheapskate like me.
Avelo allows the following personal item bag size:
No larger than 17″L x 13″H x 9″W (43 cm x 33 cm x 22 cm)
You can easily pack for a weekend in a bag this size.
You can look up fees for bags on their website, along with additional sizing details here.
The Bag You Want for Avelo Airlines
In fact, I think I found my new favorite travel bag for airlines like this while waiting in the Tweed airport. I took a bunch of photos (with this girl's permission!) and couldn't wait to share it with you.
You can find her super sleek backpack duffle on Amazon at this link, and try it for yourself. I'm seriously so impressed with the versatility of this bag as it is a backpack, has a handle carry, and it expands for throwing in jackets and such when you're not traveling under size restrictions. And, they come in three colors!
The even better part? It's super inexpensive, costing just under $30. Woohoo!
Avelo Change and Cancellation Policy
Should you need to change or cancel your flight, Avelo operates a lot like Southwest Airlines where any changes or even cancellations made up to 15 minutes before the flight are free of charge, depositing funds back into a travel fund bucket for later use.
Be aware that if these changes are made over the phone with customer service, you'll get hit with a $25 fee for using the service. Make the changes online if you can.
If for some reason your flight meets an interruption or delay, check with your credit card insurance or companies like AirHelp to help you file any necessary claims.
Avelo Wine Travels Free Program
Now, I would be remiss if I didn't mention this new program that started just three days before publication of this article, called their "Wine Travels Free" Program. They are joining leagues with big boys like Alaska Airlines, who also offer a truly remarkable Wine Flies Free program (read more here), which I think is a huge move for Avelo.
Travel to and from the west coast cities on their route map now get to travel with a full case of wine FOR FREE on their return home.
The easiest way to do this is with a wine suitcase, which you can pick up from one of the best wine suitcase creators on the market, VinGardeValise.
I have their 12-bottle "Grande" suitcase, which has taken me on many adventures and many bottles of wine have happily survived their flights home. You can read about these wine suitcases at my separate post here.
Check out their products and use ALWAYS30 for 30% off at checkout!
Seriously, I think I like Avelo even more for this new program effort. Kudos, friends.
At the Airport
A few random things about Avelo Airlines at the airport:
It is not located near a Priority Pass Lounge at MCO
There is no lounge to speak of at New Haven Tweed (in fact there are only 3 gates, a snack bar, and a great new additional bar - The Grazing Goat)
You will be asked to pay for your carry-on at the gate if you haven't already (note this is not your personal item, which is free)
Notifications are plentiful from the airlines, and really nice to turn on. You'll get emails and text messages for flight updates, delays, check-in, and more.
OnBoard: The Avelo Airlines Flight Experience
In-Flight Entertainment
Unlike many modern aircrafts, due to Avelo's low cost offerings, their planes do not have many bells and whistles.
That said, Avelo airlines does not offer the following on their flights:
Seat back entertainment
Charger ports
Headphones
Bring your own entertainment.
I suggest good old fashioned books and magazines, but other things I like when there is no onboard entertainment include:
Logic puzzle books (this one has been really enjoyable for me). They take about 30 minutes to complete and keep your brain so stimulated you don't notice the time passing by.
Listening to music or videos on my phone or laptop (you'll need a good pair of noise cancelling Bluetooth headphones like these) - side note: I've always hated in-ear headphones, but these are really growing on me. They cost only $40 and come in several colors. I've bought pairs for my family too, so if you are on the fence give them a try.
Snacks and Drinks
Again, being low cost, expect the bare minimum. Avelo does not offer a beverage or snack service, so bring what you need on board. Water is available upon request.
Avelo Seats
Although snug, I found the leg room to be pretty spacious but the width to be rather narrow, with pinched arms to my side in the middle seat. Seat backs do not recline, nor are they very well padded.
Given that they generally operate short-haul, 2-3 hour flights, I didn't find this too bothersome.
Overall Avelo Airlines Review
Overall, we found their staff to be pleasant and good at providing updates to the travelers. The boarding process was smooth and organized, and nothing about the flight was particularly unpleasant.
Flying into tiny Tweed airport was rather a delight, as we got to deplane directly onto the tarmac like in Europe, making our arrival full of fan fare and fresh air.
Expect to book your Uber before you deplane if you travel to Tweed, because it will only be 2 minutes from plane to curbside pickup and you don't want to wait forever.
All in all, I'd book with them again. As an avid traveler on cheap airlines in Europe, I feel they've stepped up to the plate with their peers overseas, successfully offering quality service and basic comforts at reasonable prices.
Good job, Avelo - it's always nice to discover a new way to travel cheaply. Browse their route map and get to your travel planning too!
