North American Low Cost Airlines

A low cost airline is a carrier that offers generallyfrom Atlanta.
low fares in exchange for reducing many of theAMERICA WEST AIRLINES
traditionally offered passenger services, by noIt is the second largest low-cost airline in the US,
means compromising the security of theproviding service to approximately 100
travelers. The general characteristics of the lowdestinations in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The
cost airlines are:main hubs are Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas,
Flying to cheaper, less congested secondaryNevada
airports and flying early in the morning or late inFRONTIER AIRLINES
the evening to take advantage of lower landingBased at Denver International Airport in Denver,
fees; short flights and fast turnaround times,Colorado, the carrier operates flights throughout
allowing maximum utilization of the aircraft; directthe United States, Mexico, and Canada. It's major
sales of tickets, especially over the Internet,US destinations are west of the Mississippi River.
avoiding fees and commissions paid to travelJETBLUE AIRWAYS
agents and reservations systems; eliminatedIt's one of the major American low-cost airlines,
in-flight catering and other complimentaryserving destinations in the United States (New
services, replaced by optional paid-for in-flight foodYork-JFK, Long Beach, Oakland, Boston, Orlando,
and beverages.Ft Lauderdale, Washington-Dulles), along with
Since the early 1990's a number of these airlinesflights to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, and
have sprung up all over North America as anMexico.
alternative to the major, long-established carriers.SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
The most successful low cost/charter airlinesAmerica's largest low cost airline, having notably
operating in the United States and Canada are:large operations at Baltimore-Washington
ALLEGIANT Serving flights nationwide flying outInternational Airport, Chicago's Midway Airport,
from Las Vegas, running significant bases atHouston's Hobby Airport, Las Vegas' McCarran
Orlando Sanford International Airport and St.Airport, Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, Nashville,
Petersburg-Clearwater International AirportOakland, and San Diego.
ATA AIRLINESSPIRIT AIRLINES
A low cost airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana,Serving flights nationwide, as well as destinations in
operating scheduled passenger flights throughoutthe Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico.
the US mainland and Hawaii, as well as commercialSUN COUNTRY AIRLINES
charter flights around the world.Uses nearby Minneapolis-Saint Paul International
AIRTRAN AIRWAYSAirport as its main hub, and operates flights to
Based in Orlando, Florida, AirTran operates overdestinations in the United States, Mexico, and the
700 daily flights throughout the eastern USA andCaribbean.
the Midwest, including over 200 daily departures