Alright, let's get this straight. Avelo Airlines is "expanding" in Lakeland. Again. Nonstop flights to Atlanta and Detroit, they say. Starting at $34, they say. Give me a break.
The Illusion of Choice (and Cheap Flights)
Remember when Avelo first rolled into Lakeland back in June? Promises, promises. Now they're dangling Atlanta and Detroit like shiny new toys. Five flights a week to Atlanta, twice a week to Detroit. Oh, and it just so happens the Detroit flights line up with Spring Training for the Tigers. How…convenient. It's almost like they're trying to trick people into thinking this is a reliable service, not just a seasonal gimmick. Avelo announces nonstop flights from Lakeland to Atlanta and spring service to Detroit - Lakeland Ledger
And those $34 fares? Yeah, good luck actually snagging one. By the time you factor in the baggage fees (carry-on OR checked, because of course), the assigned seat (because who wants to gamble on sitting next to a screaming toddler?), and whatever other nickel-and-diming they can dream up, you're probably looking at triple that price. It's like those "free" cell phones that end up costing you a fortune in hidden charges.
They're using Boeing Next-Generation 737s. Okay, cool. But are they the good Next-Generation 737s, or the ones that have been sitting in a desert boneyard for the last decade? I'm just asking the questions nobody else seems to want to.
Fool Me Once…
What's really grinding my gears is that they pulled this exact same stunt with the Michigan and Rochester routes. Remember those? "Seasonally suspended" for most of September and October. Which is just a fancy way of saying "we couldn't make enough money, so we bailed." So now we're supposed to believe that this time it's different? That Atlanta and Detroit are somehow magically going to be profitable enough to keep these flights running year-round? I ain't buying it.
It's the airline equivalent of a used car salesman promising you this lemon is "good as new." Sure, it might look shiny on the surface, but you just know it's going to break down the second you drive it off the lot. Offcourse, I'd love to be wrong.
And what about Breeze Airways, American Airlines, Southwest, and Allegiant? Are they just sitting back letting Avelo eat their lunch? Unlikely. This feels like a turf war brewing, and the only people who are going to get hurt are the passengers who get stranded when Avelo inevitably cancels flights because of "unforeseen circumstances."
Let's be real, Avelo. How long are you planning on sticking around this time? Are you in it for the long haul, or are you just looking to make a quick buck off unsuspecting travelers before disappearing into the night again? I'm not holding my breath.
The Grand Rapids Gambit
Oh, and let's not forget the little detail about adding a third weekly flight between Grand Rapids and Rochester, conveniently connecting to Lakeland. It's all part of the plan, see? Build a little hub, create the illusion of a network, and hope nobody notices that half the routes are about as reliable as a politician's promise. But wait, are we really supposed to believe they are doing all this for the love of travel?
So, What's the Catch?
Look, I get it. People want cheap flights. They're tired of paying an arm and a leg to fly across the country. But at what cost? Are we really willing to sacrifice reliability, convenience, and basic customer service just to save a few bucks? Maybe I'm just a cynical old bastard, but I've seen this movie before, and it never ends well. Avelo's Lakeland expansion smells like a desperate attempt to stay relevant, and I suspect it's only a matter of time before the whole house of cards comes crashing down.
Give Me a Break...
Avelo is playing a dangerous game, and I'm betting Lakeland will be left holding the bag. This ain't innovation; it's just another airline pulling the same old tricks.