Avelo expands popular ‘wine travels free’ program

Avelo Airlines is about to double down on what has become a popular program first launched in May at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport.

The Houston-based airline on Tuesday announced it will expand its “wine travels free” program to include all 14 destinations it services across the Western U.S. The expanded program begins Sept. 16.

The 14 destinations include eight that STS currently services. The difference with the expanded program is the wine also can originate from these markets, rather than having to start from STS.

Avelo’s current regional markets are the Sonoma County airport; Burbank; Las Vegas; Palm Springs; Boise, Idaho; Redmond in central Oregon; and Kalispell, Montana. Service to Ontario, California, and Salt Lake City will begin out of STS on Oct. 10 and Oct. 24, respectively, as previously reported.

The additional markets in the Western U.S. where the program will be added are: Eureka; Pasco, Washington, and the Oregon cities of Salem, Eugene, and Medford.

“Originally launched at our base in Sonoma County, the wine travels free program has been a success, garnering appreciation from our customers,” Avelo Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said in the news release. “Now, wine lovers throughout the Western U.S. — from the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma to wineries in Oregon, Washington and beyond — can take advantage of our program.”

The program’s rules are the same as at the Sonoma County airport.

As part of their checked baggage allowance, Avelo allows customers who are 21 years of age or older to transport one case of wine at no additional cost. Avelo defines one case of wine as a single box or case containing up to 12 bottles, weighing 50 lbs. or less.

Passengers are responsible for packaging their wine and must check them in with an Avelo crew member at the airport ticket counter.

When Avelo launched its inaugural wine flies free program at STS May 25, it became the second airline at the airport to offer travelers a free wine-transporting service. Alaska Airlines began its program in 2007, as Airport Manager Jon Stout previously told the Business Journal.

Alaska Airlines’ ‘wine flies free’ program, however, requires travelers be enrolled in its mileage plan membership program, and book their flights directly through the airline.