Allegiant, Spirit Add Service From BWI

Want to see the Baltimore Orioles in spring training? Allegiant Air is about to make it easier. Elsewhere at the airport, Spirit announced service to a vacation destination.

Believe it or not, since 2010, BWI Marshall Airport hasn't had flights to Sarasota, Florida. But starting Feb. 22, 2019, Allegiant will fly twice a week from BWI to Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport.

“Allegiant will offer our customers ultra-low-cost flights to Sarasota’s beautiful white sand beaches and renowned cultural attractions,” BWI Executive Director Ricky Smith said in a statement. “Local baseball fans will celebrate quick, easy flights to the spring training home of our Baltimore Orioles. We welcome the added service from our partners at Allegiant.”

Now-defunct AirTran served Sarasota until August 2012, as part of its acquisition by Southwest Airlines.

Allegiant has served BWI since April 2016, and offers year-round service to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, with seasonal service to four other destinations. It will use Airbus A320 aircraft on the Sarasota route.

“We’re thrilled to grow again in the Baltimore area,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant vice president of planning and revenue. “We’re sure that travelers in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore area will enjoy getting away to beautiful Sarasota on these convenient, nonstop, ultra-low-cost flights.”

Spirit Airlines, which on Monday announced service to Jacksonville, will also start flying from Baltimore to Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Feb. 14.

“We are so proud to have been serving Puerto Rico since 2001, and we are thrilled to be expanding here again,” Mark Kopczak , the airline's vice president of network planning, said in a statement.