Six low-cost carriers in the US!
By Michael Clarke

The concept of the no-frills flight or low cost carrier began in the United States. Today, there this market segment is catered to by a number of airlines, each of which provides quality service at reduced cost. Here's look into each of these carriers:

* AirTrans Airways - This low-cost carrier operates from Orlando, and Florida conducts 700 flights daily to areas in eastern and mid-west USA. This has the world's largest operator of
Boeing 717. Its main hub is the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

* Allegiant Air - This operates scheduled and charter fights to about 54 destinations across the United States. Its headquarters is in Las Vegas, Nevada and it has a huge base in the Orlando Sanford International Airport. It is seen to mostly operate at secondary airports.

* ATA - This is a low-cost carrier that operates from Indianpolis. It offers schedules passenger flights to cities across the United States and to Hawaii. Currently flights are available for about 17 destinations.

* JetBlue Airways - This low-cost carrier is owned by JetBlue Airways Corporation and its headquarters is in Forest hills, New York City. It offers flights to about 25 popular destinations which include the United



States, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Mexico.

* Southwest Airlines - This low-cost carrier is based in Dallas. It is the largest low-cost carrier based on the number of passengers it has carried and offers service to about 64 destinations across the United States.

* Spirit Airlines - This low-cost carrier is headquartered in Miramar, Florida and offers scheduled and charter flights. About one-third of the airline's flight services destinations in the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Latin America.