Lengthy-time readers know we right here at AirlineReporter LOVE a chance to check out new airways and AvGeek experiences. On condition that, we remorse it has taken us so lengthy to strive new(ish) airline Avelo which launched in April of 2021. On the West Coast, this airline operates primarily out BURbank airport, only a hop, skip, and a $60 ride-share north from LAX.
We managed to get out to BUR final September to gawk at their fleet, but it surely took us a full extra 12 months to be in the precise place on the proper time to lastly get our alternative to fly. Fortunately, following #SpotLAX2022, we had a bit of additional time to provide them a shot for a fast journey as much as Boise.
Lastly, an Avelo Airways Evaluation!
Avelo Airways Evaluation: Reserving
The reserving course of was not environment friendly, however that’s the norm lately. And whereas I’d like to, I can’t fault Avelo for it. Even legacy carriers gum up the works pushing up-sells and numerous add-ons. Not way back we used to joke “ULCCs (ultra-low-cost-carriers) are gonna ULCC”, but it surely’s onerous to criticize when even the previous guard is doing it. That candy ancillary income is simply too onerous to cross up, so why not observe the trail ULCCs have lengthy since pioneered and normalized?
Avelo’s website was contemporary, easy-to-read, and usually intuitive. Our two $29 one-way teaser fares ballooned to $94.99 every after splitting a pre-purchased checked bag and snagging +5-inch legroom seats. We determined in opposition to an additional $15 every for precedence boarding since shopping for most popular seats (or a carry-on) with ULCCs tends to yield respectable boarding teams. (It did- we ended up in boarding group 2.)
BONUS: Throwback to that point I did a $16 Spirit Naked Fare… For Science!
Shortly after reserving we acquired a affirmation electronic mail disturbingly gentle on element. Primarily a “thanks for reserving” be aware with no actual substance to it. Two full days later a full reserving affirmation, full with PNR, receipt, and line-item breakdown arrived. The formal reserving affirmation appeared virtually like an afterthought or one thing that wanted to be manually generated. Odd…
Verify-in
Checking in was one other oddity. As soon as checked in, the positioning offered a number of boarding cross supply channels: E-pass era (Apple/Google Pockets), electronic mail, or textual content. I opted for Apple Pockets however whereas on VPN this characteristic merely wouldn’t work. On the suggestion of my AvGeek Spouse I disabled VPN and magically it labored. I additionally requested electronic mail and textual content supply. Persevering with the theme, neither had been immediate and took about an hour to reach.
Expertise at Avelo’s West Coast Residence
Bag test was fast and straightforward. The Avelo employees had been comfortable and perky regardless of the ungodly early hour of our BOI-bound flight.
As for the airport expertise, let’s be honest. BUR, identified since 2017 as Hollywood Burbank Airport, is doing nice provided that it’s lower than a decade away from unlocking centenarian standing. However the previous terminal – mixed with main progress lately – has made issues a bit cramped. We had been impressed to seek out that full PreCheck (albeit commingled with common safety) was provided. The road merge appeared honest, given comparatively low quantity and house coming at a premium.
The Avelo space is shared with different carriers, and it’s tight. There’s, nevertheless, adequate seating when you’re prepared to enterprise away out of your gate. A Man Fieri’s Kitchen is simply previous safety prepared to thrill or set off people, relying on how they really feel concerning the surprisingly polarizing Meals Community star. (Finest embrace him and head to Flavortown, as there’s not a lot else within the space!)
Avelo Airways Evaluation: Boarding and in-flight expertise.
Boarding was fast and our wager in opposition to shopping for precedence boarding paid off. We snagged Boarding Group 2, which for some motive boarded concurrently group 1. A typical perk of flying into or out of a so-called secondary airport is the prospect at air aspect entry between the airplane and terminal. Who wants jet bridges (particularly in Southern California) when you may expertise the ramp in a much less managed, and extra AvGeek manner?
We discovered Avelo’s slimline seats to be as barely extra comfy than one would count on from this trade’s new seating commonplace. They weren’t dangerous, but it surely possible helped that as “American Sized” vacationers, we each have ample padding constructed proper in. Shout out Avelo’s seat vendor for the consolation characteristic which we will solely assume to explain because the Butt Notch™. It actually helped.
Whereas I’m being controversial, I’d as nicely point out the seats are pre-reclined, which we relatively appreciated. That is one other ULCC commonplace that I’d like to see adopted throughout the trade. With a pre-reclined seat there’s no undesirable seat again thrust in my face, no squabbles over private house incursions, and no annoying (and customary) damaged reclining mechanisms.
ALSO SEE: I don’t recline, and neither do you have to.
The small premium for five+ additional inches of legroom actually paid off, although I believe if we had opted to save lots of ~$15 every by deciding on simply the two+ inches of legroom we may have executed so with solely a minor hit to consolation. You do you, however we select to pay the nervousness or discomfort away.
In-flight service
As for in-flight service, there was none, not even for a payment. Bizarre! For a two-hour flight this wasn’t a problem, however I’d begin deducting factors for any flights longer than that.
Avelo additionally doesn’t supply in-flight leisure or connectivity. So, you’ll should stare on the numerous distraction-rectangles you had been going to deliver onboard anyway. Or you may at all times look out the window…
Avelo Airways Evaluation: Abstract
Avelo exceeded expectations. Like with different ULCCs we had been capable of customise our expertise to satisfy our wants. Even with added charges, our flight was nonetheless low-cost. The possibility to expertise a smaller, extra handy (for some) airport was a plus and total issues had been typically optimistic.
Of us are positive to opine within the feedback that flying with a ULCC has inherent dangers. Cancellations with low-frequency airways can actually destroy a visit, and small airports don’t supply “tremendous unique” (albeit at all times packed) elite lounges. All legitimate factors. And whereas we get pleasure from a lavish expertise from-time-to-time, a little bit of danger, selection, and pleasure is at all times extra our fashion.
Ought to Avelo resolve to ultimately deliver service to Kansas Metropolis we’ll fortunately be on the primary flight out. Both manner, we’d gladly contemplate them for future low-fuss leisure journey.
