First L.A. Flight Takes Off from Pasco Airport

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By Molly Kelleher

Summary

Something new just arrived at the Pasco Airport. For the first time we're connected to Los Angeles. KEPR was there when that first Allegiant flight from Southern California landed in the Tri-Cities ready to escort locals to sunnier skies.

Story Published: Jun 3, 2010 at 9:16 PM PST

First L.A. Flight Takes Off from Pasco Airport
PASCO - Something new just arrived at the Pasco Airport. For the first time we're connected to Los Angeles.

KEPR was there when that first Allegiant flight from Southern California landed in the Tri-Cities ready to escort locals to sunnier skies.

"I'll take my kids to Disneyland this summer and it won't cost me so much, so yeah it will be great. I'm way excited," said Andrea DeCoria.

Allegiant will now fly from Pasco to L.A. twice a week -- Thursdays and Sundays.

This is now the third destination for Allegiant out of Pasco -- you can also go to Las Vegas or the Phoenix area.

So how is Allegiant doing here? KEPR found numbers through the airport's consultant.

Flights are pretty booked, Allegiant filled an average of 88% of its seats in Pasco.

Allegiant has 41% more people using its flights in a one-year span. That's about 45,000 passengers in and out of Pasco between October 2008 and September 2009.

The average fare is $80 each way.

But you've also got to pay attention to the little add-on fees, if you really want to save.

You can get charged for picking a seat without realizing it -- so make sure you unselect an assigned seat if you want to save money.

Same with something called "trip-flex" -- unselect that to take off the charge.

"We got a good deal. $39 one way and $29 the other," said Daniel McLaughlin.

McLaughlin got such a great deal, he's treating the family to an L.A. getaway.

"It's awesome we're taking our daughter and her boyfriend to L.A. for her 21st birthday and we're going to see the Jay Leno show," said McLaughlin.

Suddenly Hollywood just got a little closer to the Tri-Cites.

Here's another trick you need to know, you're charged $15 a person just for booking online.

It's even more expensive if you call to book. To avoid those fees -- park free at the Pasco airport for just a few minutes to book your ticket right at the Allegiant counter.