Las Vegas-Based Allegiant Airlines Expanding Service to Atlantic City
Atlantic City, the East Coast's gaming hub, is now part of Allegiant Airlines' map.
On Wednesday, Allegiant declared that it will start operating direct flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Atlantic City International (ACY) on December 4. Starting on Presidents' Day weekend in February 2026, the ultra-low-cost airline will extend its service to Florida, including Punta Gorda/Fort Myers (PGD), Sanford/Orlando (SFB), and St. Petersburg/Tampa (PIE).
“We’re thrilled to bring our brand of low-cost, high-value travel to one of New Jersey’s most iconic destinations. Connecting this vibrant community with several cities across Florida not only strengthens our leisure network but opens up more affordable and convenient travel options for our customers in both regions,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant’s chief commercial officer.
"It’s a win for travelers seeking sun and sand, and for those who want to experience the coastal charm of the Eastern Seaboard or stroll along Atlantic City’s famed Boardwalk,” Wells added.
Based in Las Vegas While Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit refer to Harry Reid International as a hub, Allegiant is the only major airline with its headquarters located in Southern Nevada. Through 2050, Allegiant will retain the naming rights to the NFL stadium of the Las Vegas Raiders, which is situated just west of the Strip.
Visit to the Atlantic City Casino
Since Spirit is the only commercial airline currently based at Atlantic City International, Allegiant Airlines' arrival doubles the number of airlines operating at the state-owned airport. A shuttle service run by American Airlines connects the airport to Philadelphia International.
Due to its direct connection to Florida and the Allegiant network, the news is much appreciated by Atlantic City's nine casinos.
In 2019, Atlantic City International had just over a million passengers arrive and depart, but passenger flow is still depressed. In 2024, ACY assisted 918K travelers, a 15% increase from the previous year.
Through June, Atlantic City airport traffic has decreased by 25% to about 361K passengers. Private jets and charters are not included in the figures.
Allegiant's wager on Atlantic City indicates that the airline believes demand from the four Florida metro areas is sufficient. The nine Atlantic City casinos' occupied hotel room nights, which are still below 2019 numbers, could rise as a result.
The nine properties had 4,292,536 room nights sold in 2019. A total of 4,030,060 casino hotel rooms were sold last year. Last year, the average nightly accommodation charge was $178, up from $142 in 2019.
Primary AC Air Hub in Philadelphia
The main aviation hub for visitors flying to Atlantic City is Philadelphia's international airport, which is situated south of the city center. With 15.1 million passengers last year, PHL is the 21st busiest airport in the country. The Atlantic Ocean and casino town are an hour's drive away via the Atlantic City Expressway.
A little over 18 million vehicles were counted in 2024 at the Pleasantville Toll Plaza along the AC Expressway, a crucial indicator of visitor traffic into Atlantic City. Compared to the number of toll-paying vehicles recorded in 2019, that represents a decrease of about 1.8 million automobiles.
