Airlines Operating Out Of Arnold Palmer Airport: A Comprehensive Guide

what airlines service arnold palmer airport

Arnold Palmer Regional Airport (LBE) is a public airport in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, located two miles southwest of Latrobe and 33 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The airport covers 945 acres at an elevation of 1,199 feet and has one active asphalt runway. In 1999, the airport was renamed after golf legend Arnold Palmer, who grew up within a mile of the runway. Airlines that service the airport include Spirit Airlines, which currently serves two cities from the airport, and Southern Airways Express, which has expressed interest in a Latrobe-to-Pittsburgh route. The airport offers flights to destinations such as Myrtle Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Fort Myers, and Tampa.

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Spirit Airlines offers flights to Myrtle Beach and Orlando

Spirit Airlines offers flights to two cities from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, namely Myrtle Beach and Orlando. The airline has been servicing the airport since 2011, when it launched seasonal flights to Fort Lauderdale and Myrtle Beach. In 2012, Spirit Airlines added Orlando to its roster, and it now operates flights to and from this destination year-round.

The airline has significantly increased passenger traffic at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, with numbers rising from 6,978 in 2010 to 355,910 in 2015. This is perhaps due, in part, to the competitive pricing offered by Spirit Airlines. For example, flights from Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) start at $49 one-way and $91 for a round trip.

Spirit Airlines' services from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport have also contributed to the airport's overall aircraft operations. In the year ending December 31, 2021, the airport recorded 38,822 aircraft operations, averaging 106 per day. Of these, 80% were general aviation, 13% were air taxi, 5% were airline, and 2% were military.

The airport covers 945 acres at an elevation of 1,199 feet and has one active asphalt runway. Plans are underway to expand the terminal building, doubling its size to approximately 90,000 square feet. This expansion will provide more space for passengers, restaurants, and services, as well as a second security checkpoint.

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Seasonal service to Fort Lauderdale

The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, formerly known as Westmoreland County Airport, offers seasonal service to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The airport is located in Unity Township and covers 945 acres of land, with an elevation of 1,199 feet.

In February 2011, Spirit Airlines launched seasonal service to Fort Lauderdale, with flights scheduled twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, starting May 8. The airline currently serves the airport year-round, with two destinations, and has significantly increased passenger traffic to the airport.

Spirit Airlines' presence at the airport has been a positive development, as it provides ultra-low-cost carrier options for travellers. However, the airport has also experienced setbacks with other airlines. For example, Northwest/Delta ended its service to Detroit in 2009, and US Airways' regional service to Pittsburgh International Airport ceased operations due to the company's bankruptcy.

Additionally, Arnold Palmer Regional Airport has plans for expansion, with a $13 million project to widen the main runway to accommodate any size of plane. The terminal building is also set to double in size, offering more space for passengers, restaurants, and services, as well as a second security checkpoint. These improvements aim to enhance the airport's functionality and passenger experience.

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The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, formerly known as Westmoreland County Airport, was once serviced by Northwest Airlink. The airport was renamed in 1999 to honour golf legend Arnold Palmer, who grew up within a mile of the runway. Northwest Airlink was the brand name of Northwest Airlines' regional airline service, which primarily served small-to-medium-sized cities and towns. The airline flew turboprop and regional jet aircraft from Northwest's domestic hubs in Minneapolis, Detroit, and Memphis.

At the time of the merger of Northwest Airlines with Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlink operated a variety of jet and twin-turboprop aircraft through its regional and commuter airline partners. One such partner was Fischer Brothers Aviation, which operated commuter turboprops such as the CASA C-212, Dornier 228, and Short 360. Another operator was Business Express Airlines, which flew Avro RJ70 jets. Northwest Airlink also had a marketing agreement with Mesaba Airlines, which operated commuter and regional turboprop aircraft, including Beechcraft 99 and Fokker F27 planes.

In addition to its regional partners, Northwest Airlink had a contract with Express II, a airline that served towns in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. On December 1, 1993, an Express II flight operating under the Northwest Airlink brand crashed in Hibbing, Minnesota, killing all 18 passengers and crew on board. The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the crash to the crew's failure to monitor altitude and poor cockpit communication.

While Northwest Airlink once provided service to the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, it is unclear when the airline began or ended its operations there. Today, the airport is served by Spirit Airlines, which offers year-round service to Fort Lauderdale, Myrtle Beach, and Orlando. Plans are underway to expand the airport's terminal building, doubling its size and accommodating more passengers, restaurants, and services.

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US Airways previously flew to Pittsburgh International Airport

Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, previously known as Westmoreland County Airport, is located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The airport covers 945 acres of land and has one active asphalt runway. It is named after the golf legend Arnold Palmer, who grew up within a mile of the runway.

The airport is currently served by Spirit Airlines, which offers seasonal flights to Fort Lauderdale, Myrtle Beach, and Orlando. In 2020, airport officials announced a $13 million project to widen the main runway to accommodate larger planes.

Previously, Arnold Palmer Regional Airport was served by US Airways, which provided regional service to Pittsburgh International Airport. However, due to the company's bankruptcy, US Airways discontinued its operations at the airport.

Pittsburgh International Airport, located about 10 miles west of downtown Pittsburgh, is a major civil-military international airport serving the Greater Pittsburgh Region. It is owned and operated by the Allegheny County Airport Authority and offers passenger flights throughout North America and Europe.

US Airways previously had a significant presence at Pittsburgh International Airport, with the airport serving as one of its major hubs. The unique "'X'" layout of the runways at Pittsburgh International Airport was specifically designed to allow US Airways planes to access terminals faster, reducing fuel costs for the airline. Allegheny County officials spent nearly $1 billion in the early 1990s to renovate and expand the airport to accommodate US Airways' needs.

However, in 2004, US Airways made the decision to abandon Pittsburgh International Airport as a major hub. This move was influenced by the appointment of Stephen Wolf as the new CEO of US Airways in 1996, who began to pull the airline out of Pittsburgh. The departure of US Airways from Pittsburgh was a significant blow to the region, similar to the demise of the steel industry. Despite this, the airport has been working to reinvent itself and attract new carriers.

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Southern Airways Express has expressed interest in a Latrobe-Pittsburgh route

The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport, located in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, has seen a number of airlines service the airport over the years. The airport was previously served by Northwest Airlink, which acted as a reliever for Pittsburgh International Airport. US Airways also provided regional service to Pittsburgh International Airport until the company's bankruptcy. Northwest/Delta ended its services to Detroit in 2009, and since then, the airport has seen a decrease in passenger boardings.

In 2011, Spirit Airlines launched seasonal services to Fort Lauderdale and Myrtle Beach, with year-round services to Orlando starting in 2012. This addition of Spirit Airlines significantly increased passenger traffic, with a 3000% increase from 2010 to 2019. As of 2025, Spirit Airlines serves two cities from the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport.

With the growing passenger traffic, the airport has proposed expansion plans to accommodate the increasing demand. The terminal building is set to double in size to 90,000 square feet, offering more space for passengers, restaurants, and services, as well as an additional security checkpoint. Additionally, the airport has received federal grant money to widen the main runway to accommodate planes of any size.

Among the developments and expansions at the airport, Southern Airways Express has expressed interest in operating a Latrobe-Pittsburgh route. This potential route addition has not yet been given a start date, but it showcases the growing aviation interest in the region. Southern Airways Express joining the Latrobe-Pittsburgh route would provide convenient travel options for passengers in the area and contribute to the overall aviation accessibility in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

Frequently asked questions

Spirit Airlines is the most popular airline operating at Arnold Palmer Airport, with flights to Myrtle Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando.

Other airlines that service the airport include Northwest Airlink, US Airways, Northwest/Delta, and Southern Airways Express.

The most popular destinations from the airport are Myrtle Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando. The airport also offers flights to Fort Myers and Tampa.

The airport code for Arnold Palmer Airport is LBE.

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