Avelo Airlines Takes Flight from RDU to First International Destinations: Montego Bay and Punta Cana

Avelo Airlines Takes Flight from RDU to First International Destinations: Montego Bay and Punta Cana

• Affordable one-way fares from RDU start at $128
• Avelo will serve seven destinations from RDU

RDU AIRPORT, N.C.; Feb. 12, 2025 — Avelo Airlines today celebrated the start of its international service at the Research Triangle’s Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). The airline began nonstop service to Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) this morning and on Saturday, February 22, will begin nonstop service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ). Avelo is the only airline offering nonstop service from RDU to these two Caribbean destinations.

Avelo operates both routes twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays utilizing Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. These exclusive international routes enable Avelo to expand the affordable, convenient and industry-leading reliable air service the airline introduced to North Carolina’s Research Triangle region in May 2022. Affordable, one-way fares start at $128*. Travelers can book at AveloAir.com.

Avelo commemorated its inaugural flight to Montego Bay this morning with a celebration at RDU with a Jamaican flag celebration, sweet treats from RDU’s La Farm Bakery and Avelo fanfare. As Customers arrive in Jamaica, they will experience a warm, Jamaican welcome with water-cannon salute and festive music. Upon return to RDU, Customers will be welcomed with a water-cannon salute and celebratory Jamaican flag arrival.

Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said, “Our inaugural international service to the Caribbean from RDU is a significant milestone for Avelo. Our mission is to Inspire Travel, and the addition of international service to our expansive route network offers our Customers even more choices. As the only airline offering nonstop service to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic from RDU, we are making it more convenient and affordable for our Customers to enjoy these popular vacation destinations.”

RDU Airport Authority President and CEO Michael Landguth said, “It has been exciting to watch Avelo grow from flying one route to launching international service at RDU. The Montego Bay and Punta Cana launches kick off a new era for Avelo as they offer Triangle-area travelers more opportunities for an island getaway. We appreciate the commitment Avelo has made to the Raleigh-Durham market as they add routes and create jobs in our community.”

Continued Avelo Growth at RDU

Avelo established RDU as a Crewmember base and base of operations in February 2023. This represents the airline’s investment in the region and enables Avelo to significantly broaden its convenient, affordable and reliable air service across the Research Triangle.

With the routes announced today, Avelo currently serves seven nonstop routes from RDU: Boston / Manchester, N.H. (MHT); New Haven, Conn. (HVN); Fort Myers, Fla. (RSW); and two New York destinations: Albany (ALB) and Rochester (ROC). Since taking flight at RDU in May 2022, Avelo has flown more than 400,000 Customers on over 3,000 flights.

America’s Most Reliable and Convenient Airline

Since taking flight on April 28, 2021, Avelo has flown more than 6.3 million Customers on nearly 50,000 flights. Today Avelo serves 53 cities spanning 23 states and Puerto Rico, as well as three international destinations: Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

Avelo has unlocked a new era of convenience, choice, and competition by flying unserved routes to primarily underserved communities across the country. Most Avelo routes have at least one small, easy to use airport. This makes traveling with Avelo a smoother, easier and more enjoyable experience than contending with the crowds, congestion and long walks at larger airports.

Avelo is distinguished by its industry-leading reliability. In 2024, Avelo ranked #1 in on-time performance and achieved the lowest flight cancellation rate in the U.S. airline industry. These results are provided by Anuvu, a leading aviation data services company also utilized by The Wall Street Journal for the publication’s annual airline ranking. Anuvu’s complete industry results and rankings are available at AveloAir.com.

Avelo also delivers world-class customer satisfaction, exemplified by our Net Promoter Scores (NPS), which consistently rank among the best airlines and most admired brands in the world.

Avelo offers an abundance of advanced seating options. One third of its aircraft seats (Avelo Premium and Premium Economy) offer extra leg room — ranging from 32 inches to more than 36 inches of pitch. These seats offer a more comfortable experience for Customers who value more space. Customers can also purchase window and aisle seats in advance of their flight. In addition to advance seat assignments, Avelo offers several unbundled travel-enhancing options that give Customers the flexibility to pay only for what they value, including priority boarding, checked bags, carry-on overhead bags, and bringing a pet in the cabin.

Additionally, families can travel with ease knowing every child 14 and under will be automatically seated with an accompanying adult at no additional cost.

About Avelo Airlines

Avelo Airlines’ Purpose is to Inspire Travel by saving travelers time and money. The airline offers travelers time and money-saving convenience, everyday low fares, and a refreshingly smooth, caring and reliable travel experience. Operating a fleet of 20 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, Avelo serves 53 popular destinations across the United States, Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, including its six bases at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN), the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region’s Wilmington Airport (ILG), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), the Bay Area’s Sonoma County Airport (STS) and Central Florida’s Lakeland International Airport (LAL). Avelo will open its seventh and eighth bases at Charlotte’s Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (USA) and Coastal North Carolina’s Wilmington International Airport (ILM) in spring 2025. For more information visit AveloAir.com or the Avelo Newsroom at AveloAir.com/Newsroom.