Allegiant starts Huntsville–Gulf Shores service

Allegiant Air began nonstop flights between Huntsville International Airport and Gulf Shores International Airport on Thursday, adding what airport officials have described as Alabama’s only intrastate commercial nonstop route. The airline said the service will operate up to twice weekly and is aimed at summer travelers heading from North Alabama to the Gulf Coast. Huntsville-area outlets reported the first commercial flight took off on May 21, one day before the Memorial Day weekend began. Introductory one-way fares started at $40, according to Allegiant and local airport officials. ### Why is this route getting attention beyond a normal seasonal launch? May 21 was the first day of scheduled commercial service on the Huntsville-Gulf Shores route, making it unusual inside Alabama’s air network. The Port of Huntsville said before launch that the service would be the state’s only intra-state commercial nonstop flight, connecting HSV and GUF in under an hour instead of a drive of more than six hours. (whnt.com) Gulf Shores International Airport said in a November announcement that Huntsville was one of five new Allegiant destinations being added for the 2026 summer season. The airport said those flights were timed for Memorial Day and would continue into mid-August as part of its peak-season schedule. ### What exactly is Allegiant offering on the Huntsville-Gulf Shores route? (portofhuntsville.com) Allegiant said the new flights will operate up to twice weekly from Huntsville to Gulf Shores. The Port of Huntsville listed the Gulf Shores service on Thursdays and Sundays when it previewed the launch earlier this month, alongside Allegiant’s new Florida routes from Huntsville. (flyjka.com) One-way promotional fares were advertised from $39 in the airport’s pre-launch notice and from $40 in launch-day coverage. WHNT reported that the introductory offer had to be purchased by May 23, 2026, for travel by Aug. 13, 2026, and said seats and dates were limited. ### Who said travelers had been asking for this? (whnt.com) Butch Roberts, chief executive of Huntsville International Airport, said demand had been building for a direct link to Alabama’s beaches. In the Port of Huntsville’s May 12 announcement, Roberts said customers had asked for a way to reach the Gulf Coast without the drive. (portofhuntsville.com) Drew Wells, Allegiant’s chief commercial officer, said on launch day that the carrier was opening the route to start the summer travel season and connect travelers with leisure destinations. Roberts said separately that the new service gives North Alabama travelers a more convenient way to reach Gulf Shores. ### How does this fit into Gulf Shores airport’s broader expansion? (portofhuntsville.com) Gulf Shores International Airport said Huntsville is part of a wider Allegiant buildout that increased the airport’s nonstop destinations to 13. The airport said the five-city expansion included Springfield, Louisville, Omaha and Oklahoma City in addition to Huntsville. (whnt.com) The Gulf Shores airport authority also said it is planning a $15 million terminal expansion designed to handle two simultaneous aircraft operations. Airport Director Jesse Fosnaugh said groundbreaking was tentatively planned for summer 2026, with completion targeted for May 2027. ### What should travelers watch next if they want to use the service? (flyjka.com) May 23 is the deadline Allegiant cited for the introductory fare offer tied to the launch. Travel under that promotion runs through Aug. 13, 2026, according to WHNT. Mid-August is the current endpoint Gulf Shores International Airport has given for the peak-summer schedule, while Allegiant’s booking page and Huntsville airport notices direct travelers to check current flight days, times and baggage rules before departure. (flyjka.com) (whnt.com)