South Carolina – Travelers from Florence County and the surrounding areas will soon have a new, convenient way to reach the Big Apple. Beginning this summer, American Airlines will begin operating direct weekend route from Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) to LaGuardia Airport (LGA), providing area residents with a simpler route to the East Coast’s largest metropolis.
American Airlines is expanding its presence at LaGuardia, introducing new flights just in time for peak travel season, and this long-awaited connection is part of that process. Operating on an Embraer E175 regional plane, the flights will offer a much-needed nonstop connectivity for those looking for speedy access to New York City free from the inconvenience of layovers.
A game-changer for Florence County travelers
For years, Florence County residents traveling to New York had to rely on connecting flights, usually passing via Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) or another hub. Adding this new direct service changes that. Travelers now have a simpler and more convenient option for weekend getaways, work trips, family and friend visits.
Emphasizing the importance of these new flights and how they complement American Airlines’ larger plan of offering more seamless travel alternatives, the company issued the following statement:
“This this summer, American Airlines is bringing customers closer to their favorite seafood places, new memories along the shore, or to a golf trip with friends with new weekend service to Charleston (CHS) and Myrtle Beach (MYR) from New York (LGA),” the company said in a statement, The Points Guy reported.
“American offers customers more convenient schedules and itineraries when traveling across our global network with more flights from MYR and CHS than any other airline.”
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Boosting tourism and economic ties
For local commuters, the advantages of this new service go beyond basic convenience. The Myrtle Beach area, known for its golf courses, beaches, and resorts, is a major tourism hub. The new route is designed to generate additional tourism revenue into the area by making it easier for New Yorkers to visit Myrtle Beach.
The service in addition might establish business relationships between New York and South Carolina. Entrepreneurs and business professionals who frequently travel between the two locations will now have a much more direct path, eliminating the delays and uncertainty of multi-leg journeys.
Part of a bigger expansion strategy
The decision of American Airlines to reopen this route is a part of a broader strategy to increase its exposure in New York. The airline has just added more flights from LaGuardia to other leisure locations including Orlando, Tampa, New Orleans, and West Palm Beach. American is trying to solidify its position in important markets, especially among leisure travelers. This is especially important for the company now without an assist from its former Northeast Alliance partner JetBlue Airways
Apart from the Myrtle Beach service, American is expanding its products at other South Carolina airports. Providing yet another seasonal travel option for South Carolina residents, Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) has announced that American will start direct flights to Miami this summer.
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What this means for local travelers
For Florence County residents looking to book flights, this new service presents an attractive alternative to the usual connections through Charlotte or Atlanta. They can now board a flight in Myrtle Beach and arrive in New York City in a few hours instead of dealing with layovers and long wait times.
Although the route is now planned to run just on Saturdays through August, strong demand might lead to an extension or possibly year-round offering. To evaluate long-term feasibility, airline officials are closely observing other seasonal flights including American’s recent Miami service from Columbia.
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For now, residents eager to use the new route can schedule their trips using the American Airlines website. This new travel option looks to make weekend vacations, business visits, and family trips between Florence County and New York City simpler than ever when summer arrives.
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