PITTSBURGH — Discount carrier Allegiant Air says it'll soon be landing in Pittsburgh.
The Las Vegas-based airline said Wednesday the Steel City is among five new cities where it'll offer service starting in February.
Allegiant says it'll make four flights a week from Pittsburgh to St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport serving the Tampa Bay area, four flights a week to Punta Gorda and two flights a week to Jacksonville.
Allegiant says it'll be the only airline flying the Pittsburgh-Jacksonville route. In all, the airline says it's adding 14 new routes.
Allegiant is the fourth low-price carrier to enter the Pittsburgh market this year. County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said it’s all about maximizing opportunity.
“This market is growing. We have a vibrant economy and leisure business traveler airlines are taking notice,” he said.
Allegiant also flies out of Harrisburg, Lehigh Valley and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Another airline, Sun Air Express, says it'll fly four round trips between Pittsburgh and Altoona starting Monday.
BY THE NUMBERS:
For a $65 introductory rate, you can fly from Pittsburgh to Jacksonville on Allegiant. Compare that to $274 on Jet Blue and Silver Airways.
For that same price, Allegiant will offer one-way fares to Clearwater. United and American Airlines charge more than twice that amount.
For $75, you can fly to Punta Gorda. It will cost more than three times that much on any of the major carriers.
Keep in mind that Allegiant charges for all checked baggage -- sometimes as much as $75 if you wait and check in at the airport.
They also charge anywhere from $9 to $16 to choose your own seat.