A Detailed Review of Avelo Airlines

Having only launched in 2021, Avelo Airlines is a relatively new, no-frills American airline. Their focus is on low fares and serving smaller regional airports, which means shorter waiting times and smoother transfers than busier airport hubs (we don’t want to give spoilers but their on-time rate is incredible). They are a great option for cheap travel – but is it the right choice for you? Let’s dig a little deeper to find out.

Key Facts

First Flight: 28 April 2021
HQ: Houston, Texas, USA
Alliance: None
Fleet Size: 16 aircraft as of 2025
Destinations: Over 40 destinations across the United States
Passengers: Approximately 1 million annually

Our Ratings

Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

????Global Connections ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

????Wi-Fi Performance ☆☆☆☆☆ (0/5)

????Value for Money: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

????Sustainability: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)

⏰Reliability: ★★★★★ (5/5)

When To Use Avelo Airlines

For travel within the United States, Avelo Airlines is a great option – especially if you’re on a budget or looking to avoid the busier hubs like LAX or JFK. While its primary strength is domestic flights (with over 40 destinations across the States), excitingly, they have recently expanded their network to warmer places like Cancun, Montenegro Bay and Punta Cana.

Best For

Budget-Conscious Travelers: Avelo’s ultra-low fares make it an awesome choice for people on a budget. They have a similar structure to Breeze’s “Nice” and “Nicer” fares, where the base cost is low and then you pay for extras like baggage or seating. This means you can save money on travel and spend more when you get there!
Off-The-Beaten-Track: Avelo focuses on skipping the congested major airports to connect the smaller, often overlooked airports like Tweed-New Haven (HVN) in Connecticut (nope, we hadn’t heard of it either). This is great for people wanting to explore more off-the-beaten-track locations or – finally – visit those distant relatives or clients that are tucked away.
Green Nomads: Avelo has taken big steps towards sustainability by partnering with Vortex Control Technologies to install fuel and emissions-reducing finlets on their aircraft. This is a very technical way of saying they’re going to cut 11 million pounds of carbon emissions, saving 560,000 gallons of fuel… which is only a good thing.

When NOT To Use Avelo Airlines

While the money-saving side of Avelo is very tempting, it still might not be the best fit for you.

Potential Drawbacks

International travel: at the moment Avelo only offers three international destinations: Montego Bay (Jamaica), Cancun (Mexico) and Punta Cana (Dominican Republic). They have announced plans to expand further but at the moment, this is pretty limited compared to global carriers like KLM, American Airlines, and Delta.
No Wi-Fi: Avelo does not currently offer in-flight Wi-Fi, which will be an issue for people needing connectivity onboard. The airline has announced plans to introduce Wi-Fi in the future, however, this promise is a bit vague, so we’re not holding our breath.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Extremely low fares: we love Avelo’s commitment to affordability. It makes travel accessible to a wider range of people, meaning there’s more money to enjoy experiences when you get there.
Focus on smaller airports: connecting smaller airports with direct flights not only saves time and the hassle of connections but also means you can explore lesser-known places in America.
Simple booking: their website and app (see more details below) are nice and user-friendly. They prioritize functionality over flashiness, making it easy to find and book flights.
Sustainability initiatives: Avelo’s focus on cutting their emissions is a great step towards greener travel for digital nomads.

Cons

No Wi-Fi: Avelo does not currently offer in-flight Wi-Fi, which could be a big drawback for people who need to work during their flight. This is a big contrast to Breeze, who offer low-cost fares AND Wi-Fi.
Limited International Routes: Even though their network is growing, Avelo only flies to three destinations outside of America. This is tiny compared to bigger carriers like KLM who have over 165 destinations worldwide.
Extra Fees: To keep base fares low, Avelo charges extra for every additional service. It’s a great option for light-packers but if you need to take more luggage, or need extra legroom, this can add up quickly. Carry-on bag fees range from $43 to $65 depending on when they’re added, and extra legroom can be up to $39, which is sometimes more than the base fare!
Basic in-flight entertainment: their no-frills travel experience includes slimline seats, no in-flight entertainment or food service beyond complimentary water (and a snack if you’re lucky).

Booking Experience

Website and App Usability ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Avelo’s app and website are designed for simplicity over style i.e. it does the job but it’s not fancy. The app had a glow-up in 2024, introducing a more modern interface, and streamlining trip management features, however, the platform still lacks some of the more advanced features found on larger carrier systems, such as dynamic seat maps or fare comparison tools.

Payment and Transparency ★★★★☆ (4/5)

We found that Avelo is pretty transparent about its pricing, outlining the base fare and any additional fees during the booking process. Before clicking ‘confirm’ on your trip, you can clearly see a breakdown of their fare, including taxes and ancillary fees. However, as with most ultra-low-cost carriers, these additional fees add up quickly, so it’s worth reviewing your options before you book. Avelo accept major credit cards for payments and have partnered with PayPal to offer a “Pay in 4” option where eligible travelers can split the cost (between $30 and $1500) into four interest-free payments – we love this feature.

In-Flight Experience

Food and Dining ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

A very limited selection of refreshments is offered onboard. You’re given a complimentary small bottle of water and, on some lucky flights, a small snack like a shortbread cookie. There are no meals, alcoholic beverages, or additional snacks available for purchase – this is to keep the service simple and reduce costs. We highly recommend that if you fly with Avelo, you bring your own stash of snacks and drinks.

Entertainment Options ☆☆☆☆☆ (0/5)

There is no in-flight entertainment, such as seatback screens or streaming services, onboard Avelo aircraft. We therefore recommend that unless you have a good book, you download any films or TV shows onto your devices before you fly.

Does Avelo Have Wi-Fi Onboard?

Availability and Performance ☆☆☆☆☆ (0/5)

None of the aircraft in the Avelo fleet are equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, which means you’ll have to ignore your emails until you land. As we mentioned, they have announced plans to introduce Wi-Fi – but they’ve given no specific timeline. This lack of connection could be a dealbreaker for some people, which is why we recommend downloading any necessary work material or content before you fly.

Service and Reliability

Customer Service ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Customer service experiences have had mixed reviews. Some passengers, including us, have positive things to say about their staff, but some have said they faced big challenges when dealing with disruptions. Online reviews highlight issues such as long customer service waiting times and limited communication from the Avelo team, with one person explaining that they struggled to get their reimbursement after a delayed flight. As a relatively new airline, Avelo might still need some time to figure out their customer services… which is why we’ve been kind and given them three stars.

Punctuality and Reliability ★★★★★ (5/5)

In 2024, Avelo Airlines achieved an incredible on-time arrival rate of 85.2%. This is significantly higher than the industry average of 76% and even outperforms major carriers like Delta (82%) and United Airlines (78%). To keep bragging for them, they also have one of the lowest cancellation rates, ending the year as “the most reliable US airline”. This is seriously impressive.

The Future of Avelo Airlines

Avelo has grown rapidly in the past few years. Their future hinges on their ability to continue expanding their network and maintaining their low-cost structure. Key areas of focus are:

Regional Network Expansion: Avelo are actively expanding their smaller airport network. In 2025, they plan to add new routes, including Albany (New York), Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (New Hampshire), and Greenville-Spartanburg (South Carolina).
Fleet Growth: By early 2025, the airline will have added five more Boeing 737s, bringing the fleet up to 21 aircraft. They’ve also signed letters of intent to add more in the near future.
Customer Loyalty: Avelo has introduced a points-based loyalty program to help support their frequent flyers. You’ll be able to earn points that can be redeemed for discounts, upgrades, and other travel perks.
AI Automation: Avelo is leveraging AI to improve the customer experience, from booking and check-in to managing data flow between its booking engine, reservation system, and reporting tools. This should help with seamless communication with customers regarding flight updates.

Alternative Airlines

If the ultra-low-cost and amazing reliability aren’t enough for you, it might be worth checking out some competitor airlines:

Airline	Best For	Features
Southwest Airlines	Domestic travelers	No change fees, free checked bags and a huge route network
JetBlue Airways	Comfortable flyers	Free Wi-Fi on all flights, more legroom than most competitors, perfect for an overnight flight
Frontier Airlines	Budget travel	Incredibly low fares because of their pick-and-choose extra services like baggage and seat selection
Breeze Airlines	Work-on-the-go travelers	An ultra low cost airline with reliable Wi-Fi. Perfect for answering emails and working in the air.

Conclusion

For those wanting ultra-affordable domestic travel within the United States, Avelo is a fantastic option. Their focus on smaller airports is a great help if you want to avoid busy hubs and explore new places. However, their lack of Wi-Fi, entertainment, and food options will be a big problem if you’re looking for comfort and convenience.