Because Florida travel is so extremely popular, most major airlines – and many smaller ones – offer regular flight service to Florida destinations. The rise in “no frills” carriers has recently added new players (and notably lost one as well).
US Airlines to Florida
U.S. based airlines with flights to Florida include American, Northwest, and United. Traditionally, the U.S. carriers that have provided the most extensive Florida travel networks within the state include Continental, US Airways, and Delta.
Continental recently reduced fares on their flights to Florida from New York, and expanded daily roundtrip service from Newark. For regional Florida travel destinations, Continental Connection partners with Gulfstream International and Cape Air. US Airways has made Ft. Lauderdale a focus city, and now connects South Florida to nearly a dozen East Coast cities.
“Cheap Flights to Florida”
If you don’t care about going First Class, you can find cheap flights to Florida on the growing number of single-class “no-frills” airlines, such as Southwest, jetBlue and Frontier. Delta has announced its discount Song service will fold into Delta's regular scheduling as of mid-2006.
The original “no-frills” phenomenon, Southwest offers an extensive nationwide network of cheap flights to Florida from over 50 cities. Their single-service means no seat assignments, however. Best seats go first come, first served. Southwest services Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa.
Perhaps more in the “some frills” category, jetBlue features leather seats and live in-flight satellite television, while still providing cheap flights to Florida out of its hub at JFK and other U.S. cities.
Other discount carriers fighting for your FL travel
dollar include AirTran; Spirit Airlines; and USA 3000.
Foreign Flights to Florida
Florida is the busiest air destination in the Western Hemisphere. At Miami International alone, over half the 34 million annual visitors are international travelers flying on 100 different airlines.
From Canada, Air Canada and Canadian Air schedule regular flights to Florida. Discount carrier CanJet provides cheap airfare Florida trips. Mexican carriers include Aeromexico and Mexicana.
Leading European airlines with flights to Florida include Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Virgin Atlantic. South American carriers include Aerolineas Argentinas, and Varig. Quantas offers flights from Australia, and El Al from Isreal.
Regional airlines to Florida
With daily service to eleven Florida destinations, Continental partner Gulfstream International Air is one of the fastest growing regional air carriers in the United States. Another Continental affiliate, Cape Air, connects Key West, Ft. Myers, Naples, Sarasota, and Tampa. "America's Hometown Airline," Atlantic Airlines specializes in hard-to-get-to Florida towns with limited air service. Paradise Aviation links Marathon with Ft. Lauderdale.
Airports in Florida
Major international airports receiving flights to Florida include Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, and Tampa. Others include Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Southwest Florida (Ft. Meyers), St. Petersburg/Clearwater, and Key West.
Regional airports include Sarasota/Bradenton, Pensacola, Melbourne, Gainesville, Tallahassee, and Panama City/Bay County.
