Allegiant adding three nonstop flights to and from Jacksonville

Allegiant Air is adding three new flights from Jacksonville. Starting in April, the airline will begin nonstop flights between Jacksonville International Airport and New Orleans, Memphis and Richmond, Va.

The discount airline has its flights on limited days. Its only current flights in and out of JIA are Pittsburgh on Monday and Friday and Cincinnati on Sunday and Thursday.

Similarly, flights to Memphis and Richmond will be on Monday and Friday, while New Orleans’ flights will be Sunday and Thursday

The airline advertises flights starting at $39, but one local travel agent said that figure can quickly rise.

“They advertise one fare, but they charge you for everything,” said Sandy Harbison of Avondale Travel. “They charge you for a checked bag, a carry-on, you pay for your seat assignment. If you haven’t printed your boarding pass at home, you have to pay for that at the airport.

“There’s even an extra charge if you add another bag after you first booked your flight.”

Harbison said she’s never flown Allegiant, but has booked it for customers who have been satisfied with it.

JIA currently has no nonstop flights to and from New Orleans, Memphis or Richmond.

“New Orleans is very significant,” Harbison said. “We have a lot of business that goes back and forth. Southwest used to have a flight, Continental used to have one.”

Passengers now have to go through Atlanta or Houston to get to New Orleans.

The new JIA routes were three of 19 that Allegiant announced on Tuesday, including four from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport: Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Lexington, Ky.

The airline has flights to 69 cities from Orlando Sanford International Airport.

Roger Bull: (904) 359-4296