[trip style = beach + sun]
Editor's Note {Jan 5, 2011}: See update in grey below.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air has done it again - they've stolen my heart, taken me to where sun and sand abound, and kept money in my pocket with their low fares! Does it get any better than this? Well maybe if Allegiant were Emirates and I always flew first class. But I digress...
{Aug 8 Update - Alaska Air recently announced they'll fly to Honolulu from Bellingham. Details here.}
Mahalo Allegiant for Announcing Service to Hawaii Recently the discount airline announced the purchase of six Boeing 757s that they plan to use for service to Hawaii. According to the press release, "Allegiant is acquiring this fleet with the express purpose of serving Hawaii, a major leisure destination that it cannot serve with its existing MD-80 fleet. Allegiant Air expects to launch service to Hawaii once appropriate regulatory requirements have been met." Allegiant plans to have two of the six planes in service by the fourth quarter of 2010, and rumor has it that Bellingham, WA and Stockton, CA will be the first two departure points for service to Hawaii.
Why Bellingham? According to the Vancouver Sun, Bellingham's airport is currently undergoing a $29-million runway and terminal overhaul to handle 757 planes (seating: 220 people). The upgrades are slated for completion this fall, and at that time runway upgrades are going to close down the airport for three weeks. How convenient. Here's another interesting fact: 55% of Bellingham's ridership is Canadian.
My Prediction No details have been released about routes, start dates or schedule, but I suspect that Allegiant's Hawaii service will be 1 - 3 times/week, direct (from Bellingham at least), and will fly into Oahu. Stay tuned for more info!
When the service is likely to start: I read a few articles (one posted as recently as Jan 5, 2011) nothing that Allegiant would be beginning its service from Bellingham to Hawaii in mid-2011, but dismissed it given the bad seasonal timing (ie - flying to a hot destination during summer). But since it's January 2011 and there's been no announcement, the summer is the next best bet.
The destination: When I flew to Long Beach, CA with Allegiant in December, I asked the check-in agent about the pending Hawaii route. They confirmed it was happening (but didn't say when), and also mentioned they thought it would be going to Maui versus Honolulu. If this is true, it would be smart given that Alaska already flies from Bellingham to Honolulu.
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[Image by Allegiant Air]
[trip style = luxury]
- usually win on the "amenities offered" side
- offer multi-property loyalty programs, making it easier to collect points and benefits quickly
- have varied in-house dining options
- most have a pool(s) and a gym
- are more likely to offer programs for kids
- are large, and as a result, discount rooms on sites like 
- offer one-of-a-kind decor
- sometimes include breakfast
- are more likely to include internet (yay)
- can be more personable
- are more apt to run promotions 
- get out of your comfort zone, try the option you don't normally choose
- if you're a family with young kids, save the boutique hotel for a romantic getaway
- if you want a more localized experience, go with boutique
- if you're a business traveler, big hotels offer more rewards and incentives
- as for price, you can find both for similar price-points depending on what you want
Recently I wrote about the art of