John Wilberding kindly shared the following news: “Over the years Gulf Shores [Alabama] has been a point of destination for many Whitewater residents. It was announced recently that Allegiant will begin nonstop flights from Appleton to Gulf Shores beginning in October. A drive to Appleton is a bit shorter than the 1,065-mile drive to GS.”
Departures from Appleton and from Gulf Shores will normally be on Thursday and Sunday, starting on October 2, with occasional changes during holiday weeks. Fares vary considerably from one date to another. Currently there are one-way fares as low as $54.50 and as high as $224.
Allegiant is described as a low fare carrier; however, they have some “optional” fees that are similar, for example, to those of Spirit Airlines. Seat selection at the time of reservation can range from $0 to $80. It appears that there are no free beverages; the charge for drinks and snacks is $2-7. Booking travel through the call center incurs an additional fee of $19.99. One personal item, defined as follows, is free: “8 in. x 14 in. x 18 in. (20 cm x 35 cm x 45 cm) maximum -A purse, briefcase, laptop computer, small backpack, small camera or food container. The item must be stored completely underneath the seat in front of you.”
Baggage fees apply to carry-on and checked bags and vary depending on route and when the bag is added to your itinerary. Below are shown the fees that are quoted for a trip on October 2. A carry-on costs $1 more than a checked bag when paid for at booking!
According to gulfshores.com, Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF) is just three miles from the beach. “From the airport, guests can call shuttles, taxis, or ride-share services like Lyft or Uber to take them to their accommodation. We suggest arranging transportation in advance to secure a ride. If you prefer to have a vehicle for your entire trip, book a rental car so you can easily get around the destination.”
Our thanks to John Wilberding for discovering and sharing this news.
Editor’s note: Minor corrections/changes were made shortly after this was posted on May 26.
