Allegiant will celebrate its inaugural flight at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport on Wednesday, Nov. 16, bringing with it new non-stop jet service between the Orlando-Sanford International Airport and the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport.Allegiant will operate four weekly flights between Newport News/Williamsburg International and Orlando-Sanford, utilizing the 150-seat MD-80 series aircraft.

The flights will operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.  Flight times will vary each day for the first couple of weeks, but in December the following schedule will be in effect on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: Flight 644 will depart Newport News at 1:10 p.m., with arrival at Orlando-Sanford at 3 p.m. Flight 645 will return to Newport News from Orlando-Sanford on the same days, departing Florida at 3:45 p.m. and arriving in Virginia at 5:30 p.m.

Allegiant announced its plans to add flights to and from Newport News/Williamsburg in mid-August, just two and a half weeks after AirTran announced its intention to discontinue service on March 9, 2012. Airport Executive Director Ken Spirito said AirTran’s decision was a surprise to the market, but Allegiant’s decision to add the destination was proof of the robust local travel market.Allegiant is a Las Vegas-based airline catering to travelers and linking small cities to world-class destinations,such as Orlando, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Las Vegas and Phoenix. The airline operates a fleet of 51 MD-80 and one 757-200 Boeing series jet aircraft, flying to 70 U.S. cities.

The company offers air travel on a standalone basis, but also bundles travel packages with hotels, car rentals and tickets to area attractions. Because Allegiant is a low-cost airline, travelers have to pay fees for advance seat assignments, priority boarding, beverages, snacks, pillows, blankets and baggage service.