Each year, about 450,000 passengers fly from Atlantic City Airport (ACY) to Florida with Spirit Airlines. This winter, travelers booking those trips will have two airline options.
Just in time for snowbird season, when residents of colder regions head south for the winter, Allegiant Airlines added four routes to Florida from ACY — a move that was intentional, according to Airport Director Tim Kroll.
Service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) began Dec. 11, while flights to Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) are set to begin Dec. 19. Routes to Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) will launch Feb. 13, 2026.
While the expansion was announced in August and routes are beginning in phases this winter, ACY has been in discussions with the Las Vegas-based airline for seven years, Kroll said.
“We’re thrilled to bring our brand of low-cost, high-value travel to one of New Jersey’s most iconic destinations,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant’s chief commercial officer, in a press release. “Connecting this vibrant community with several cities across Florida not only strengthens our leisure network, but opens up more affordable and convenient travel options for our customers in both regions. It’s a win for travelers seeking sun and sand, and for those who want to experience the coastal charm of the Eastern Seaboard or stroll along Atlantic City’s famed Boardwalk.”
For Lisa Evans, an Upper Township resident, ACY’s proximity to her home is a major draw. When traveling to Florida several times a year to visit friends in Naples and Punta Gorda, however, her closest airport has been Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, about 40 minutes from both locations.
With Allegiant adding a route to Punta Gorda, Evans said she can now fly out of ACY and land closer to her destination. While she has never had problems flying Spirit, she said she is excited to use Allegiant’s routes.
“With the new airline … I’m right there,” she said.
Evans, along with other passengers, is wondering whether tickets could be purchased in person at lower fares, similar to those offered by Spirit. While Allegiant advertised one-way fares as low as $39 on the new routes as a promotional launch offer, Kroll said it remains unclear whether travelers will see comparable in-person pricing.
Lower fares are a major factor for other travelers as well. Jim Crescenzo of Egg Harbor Township, who travels to Florida at least once a month and often flies out of ACY says cost will play a key role in choosing between airlines.
Crescenzo currently flies Spirit to Orlando International Airport (MCO) when traveling to his second home in Clermont, about a 40-minute drive away.
On Dec. 19, Allegiant will begin offering flights from ACY to Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), the second-closest airport to his home, located just under an hour away.
“I can’t complain about Spirit. People sometimes get mad at them, but their price is usually pretty good,” Crescenzo said. “You don’t have a lot of room, but most of the time they’re on time, especially if you get your early flight.”
He said Allegiant offers fewer flights out of ACY than Spirit but hopes the airline will add more and plans to collate pricing information.
With Allegiant’s new routes, travelers in southern New Jersey now have more options and potentially closer access to Florida destinations, though it remains to be seen how fares and flight frequency will compare with Spirit. For frequent flyers like Evans and Crescenzo, convenience and cost will likely determine which airline they choose.
Julia graduated from Rider University in 2024 with a BA in multiplatform journalism and minor in social media strategies. In addition to reporting on local news for Shore Local, she is a social media strategist for small businesses. Connect with her: shorelocaljulia@gmail.com or @juliatrain on Instagram.
