You Trip Report

	DATE	FLIGHT NUMBER	SEAT	AIRCRAFT
29 May 21	XP 102	37F	737-800
CLASS	VIEWS	LANGUAGE	AUTHOR
Economy	79827	English	jetsetpanda

Prologue:

Hello and welcome to this special trip report of Avelo - a new low cost airline that became the first new mainline airline in the US in 15 years.

Avelo introduced fares for USD 19 (EUR 16.70) and charges $10 (EUR 8.25) for the first checked bag. With prices like these it's hard to resist. Besides as an aviation geek this was a perfect excuse to try a new airline.

Unfortunately Avelo tends to serve secondary cities and does not fly out of SFO which is a major hub. The closest airport to SFO where they flew was STS - Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County which is located in Napa Valley. That meant that I had to take a 2 hrs airport bus to get from SFO to STS.

STS airport exterior.

You can count with the fingers of one hand the number of airlines serving this airport.

Upon entering you arrive at the check in counters.

On the opposite side of the counter there is Snoopy check in kiosks vending machines and a restaurant.

Restaurant.

Car rental around the check in counters.

Patio dining which was part of the restaurant.

Going to the gate.

Security.

Gate area used by all airlines.

It was challenging to find power outlets to plug your electronics.

Thankfully I found some.

Good luck trying to reach these.

Avelo's website was pretty easy to use and when I checked in online it automatically assigned me an aisle seat. However even after checking in it didn't allow you to change seats for free so you always had to pay. I wanted to sit in a window and reserved the last row hoping that nobody would sit next to me. I paid $5 (EUR 4.13) for the privilege.

I had a boarding pass printed at the counter. The agents were professional and friendly.

Boarding commenced with pax who needed extra assistance. I was one of the first ones to board maybe because I was in the last row and this airline boards from back to front.

One of the advantages of departing from a small airport is boarding from the outside instead of using air bridges connecting to the terminal.

Great plane spotting.

My plane. This is the largest airplane at this airport.

FA greeted pax with a friendly hello.

Interior.

My seat in the last row. There were 2 crew members in the back galley who were very friendly.

View from my seat.

The overhead bins in the last few rows are reserved for crew use.

View from my seat.

Thinking of Seb. ;) I was surprised that safety cards looked worn already. This airline just started flying at the end of April.

WC

I have never seen a soap dispenser like this inside any other airline's WC.

The flight was maybe 70 - 75 pct full. I had an empty row for myself.

Safety demonstration.

Taxiing out.

I have never seen this at any other US airport before. The ground crew bid the flight good bye.

Take off.

Bye Wine Country.

Golden Gate bridge.

Moffett Federal Airfield in the upper left side. This is a civil and military airport in Santa Clara county in the Bay area.

I believe this is Norman Y. Mineta San Jose Intl airport (SJC).

Snack service.

A bottle of water shortbread cookies and a disinfectant wipe.

For a flight that cost USD 19 this represents great value. FA's even offered seconds to those who wanted more.

Landing in the LA area.

========== Sonoma Cty Arpt (STS) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 10/10

Access and parking: 8/10

Services and activities: 8/10

General cleanliness: 10/10

========== Avelo - Airline ==========

Cabine comfort: 9/10

Crew: 10/10

Entertainment: /10

On-time performance: 10/10

Appetizer: 0/10

Starter: 0/10

Main Meal: 0/10

Main Meal-2: 0/10

Cheese: 0/10

Desserts: 0/10

Alcohols: 0/10

Mid-flight snack: 8/10

Breakfast or light meal before arrival: 0/10

========== Burbank Airport (BUR) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 10/10

Access and parking: 8/10

Services and activities: 8/10

General cleanliness: 9/10

Summary:

Avelo proved to be a nice experience and the ticket prices were very competitive. However there is no way to get a free seat with them unless it is assigned during check in. You are allowed a free personal item aboard but if you want to bring a carry on the price is USD 35 (approx EUR 28.90). It is much cheaper to check in a bag and pay for it in advance.

Staff both on the ground and in the air were friendly and eager to please. I appreciated the snack package which is very generous for a low cost airline considering the cheap airfares.

16 Comments

Emile — Jun 04,2021

Another very good review and a good addition to YTR.
Impressive to hand out snack. The airfare is crazy cheap.

Thanks Adan and have a good day
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 05,2021

Hi Emile,

Let's see how long these fares last. ;) No other drink service except for water in the snack pack so I wonder when they will introduce B.O.B.
Thomas — Jun 04,2021

Thanks my friend,

One of the advantages of departing from a small airport is boarding from the outside instead of using air bridges connecting to the terminal -> It's the main advantage and should be less packed for TSA.

I have never seen this at any other US airport before. The ground crew bid the flight good bye. -> Japanese style. Nice touch either way.

I can't believe they offer a snack given the price tag.

A good pax ex :)

Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 05,2021

Hi Thomas,

Yes indeed. Outdoor boarding and TSA was very light when I used it.

It's nice to try something different from time to time. ;)
saraoutou — Jun 04,2021

A vélo (riding a bike!) I believe that some of our green ayatolahs here would apréciate.
If you (and I hope you do) neglect our french political, we had strange municipal ballots here last year (poor participation due to covid and second ballot more than 3 months after the first!) which lead to a progress of "ecological" vote.
Since then we may apreciate very laughtable sentences like "no dead tree for banning christmas'tree" or a municipality that stopped financiating a flying club (the funds where to make fly some Down's syndrom and others discapacitaded!).

Stop laughing, Avelo is quite amazing!

Now Charlie's Brown airport made me sad with all those tents rembering my Brussels Airport after the bombing!

Thanks Adan
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 05,2021

Salut Jérôme,

LOL. It seems that the rest of the world is catching up to California where most trends start. ;) Perhaps one day in the not too distant future the state will become independent from the USA at the rate that things are going.

I think the tents at STS add a touch of "casual" chic to the airport. I've been in so many mega hubs with designer boutiques and shops promoting mass consumerism that a change of pace to something simpler is refreshing and even welcomed. :P
Bibopaul — Jun 04,2021

I never thought I would pleased by a low cost carrier. Many thanks Panda for this great TR.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 05,2021

Hi Paul,

Try a low cost. You might be surprised. ;)
Vendredi13 — Jun 06,2021

Ouaf ! Woof ! JetSet' !

A new airline , a new airport : Thomas will be happy with this TR !
"Boarding commenced with pax who needed extra assistance. I was one of the first ones to board" : Ouaaaf ! You make me laugh my firend.. It's just the privilege of the elderly^^
This little airport is cute... in a way. Except that horrible carpet !
On board, this unxepected catering is a good point. And you played well with this last row seat.

Thanks, Panda, for this really interersting report with beautiful aerial views ! A great TR !
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 07,2021

Oauf!

"It's just the privilege of the elderly^^"
- Maybe it takes one to know one. :P

Yes it's a cute airport. I like it when it's manageable. ;)

Glad you liked the TR. See you later. ;)
samlecorsaire — Jun 07,2021

Hello Adan
It’s nice to read a TR with a new Airlines flying from an airport never reported.
As usual great pictures.
I dont’ like low-cost Airlines but this one is not bad at all and what a fare !!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing with us this great report
Bye
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 08,2021

Salut Sam,

Avelo was a great discovery and I always enjoy new experiences whether flying a new airline or setting foot on a new airport.

Usually low cost airlines have a reputation that precedes them but not all are created equal. ;)

See you.
Capoune — Jun 09,2021

Hi Adan!

A realy nice surprise with Avelo.
Lovely airport and better catering onboard than with some legacy, lol!

Thank you for sharing with us my friend.
Take care.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 09,2021

Hi Seb,

It was a great experience flying a new airline and indeed they have better catering than some legacy. I hope they survive in the long run. We need more competition.
Nomascoach — Jun 04,2021

Thank you JetSet. Wonderful paxex.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 05,2021

Hello Nomascoach,

Thanks for your comment and visit.