(ORLANDO) Avelo Airlines is boosting fall service to the Orlando area and will bring back its San Juan flights earlier than expected, based on the carrier’s current schedule publications and Central Florida updates posted through mid‑2025. As of August 12, 2025, Avelo has extended Central Florida schedules through February 10, 2026, while its East Coast schedule runs through November 18, 2025, opening more seats to Orlando and restoring Puerto Rico service in early fall rather than later in the season.
The latest plan shows added fall flying into Orlando International (MCO) from New Haven (HVN), Philadelphia/Wilmington (ILG), and Wilmington, NC (ILM). Booking pages display multiple weekly options in late August and September, compared with the thinner shoulder‑season offering earlier this year. According to Avelo’s March 18, 2025 fall extension notice, East Coast fares “start at $42 one way,” with booking available through mid‑November.

For Central Florida as a whole—centered on Lakeland (LAL) in the Orlando metro—the airline’s July 9, 2025 update extended winter and holiday travel through February 10, 2026. Avelo listed nine destinations from LAL, including San Juan (SJU), with one‑way fares “starting at $39.” For families planning holiday trips, the ability to book into early 2026 removes a common pain point: waiting for last‑minute schedule loads and risking higher prices.
The San Juan development is notable. Avelo had been set to pause Puerto Rico flying longer this summer, but its Lakeland destination page now shows SJU among active fall routes, with sellable dates beginning in October. That points to a shorter pause and an earlier resumption of SJU service for Central Florida travelers who rely on a nonstop, low‑cost option.
Avelo tends to extend its schedule in steps. That cadence can create a gap that looks like a long pause and later shrinks once the next block of dates is loaded. The March and July 2025 extensions added capacity for the East Coast and Central Florida, including the Orlando area, which helps explain why San Juan returns sooner than the summer gap first suggested.
Schedule extensions and fares
- East Coast schedule through November 18, 2025 (fares from $42): Avelo’s March 18 notice added fall inventory across 40+ destinations, including extra Orlando options from its East Coast bases and focus cities.
- Central Florida schedule through February 10, 2026 (fares from $39): A July 9 update extended Lakeland’s reach to nine destinations into the winter and holiday period, with San Juan on the list.
- Orlando (MCO) routes live for late summer and fall: MCO–HVN, MCO–ILG, and MCO–ILM show multiple weekly flights in late August and September, reflecting added fall availability versus earlier seasonal lows.
- San Juan via Lakeland (LAL–SJU) bookable in October: The listing of sellable dates in October indicates the pause is shorter than previously implied and service returns in early fall.
- ILM–MCO confirmed: Booking calendars display late‑August and September service with several weekly choices, backing up the added fall flying to Orlando.
Avelo can still fine‑tune days of operation as demand shifts. Always check the Low Fare Calendar on AveloAir.com before purchase to confirm operating days, first available dates, and any recent changes.
Community and traveler impact
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the early return of LAL–SJU matters for Puerto Rican families in Central Florida who need dependable, affordable ways to see relatives, handle childcare arrangements, or plan medical visits. Opening October dates now also gives travelers more time to spread out payments and lock in seats before peak holiday weeks tighten.
For immigrant and mixed‑status households across the United States 🇺🇸, these are domestic flights. U.S. citizens do not need a passport to fly to Puerto Rico. Noncitizens can also fly domestically; bring an acceptable ID for TSA screening. TSA lists the IDs it accepts—such as a foreign passport, certain state driver’s licenses, and other secure documents—on its official page: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification. This simple step can prevent stressful moments at the checkpoint, especially when traveling with children or elders.
Students and workers on visas living in the greater Orlando area will see practical gains, too. More MCO options to HVN, ILG, and ILM reduce the need for connections through crowded hubs, which often trigger delays. A single nonstop can cut travel time and lower the chance of missed classes or shifts. For new arrivals relocating to Central Florida this fall, the extension through early 2026 also supports easier planning for winter breaks, campus closures, and employer blackout dates.
For universities, major theme‑park employers, and hospitals that recruit across the Northeast and the Carolinas, the extended booking window helps with program calendars and holiday staffing. Being able to plan against published service through November 18, 2025 on the East Coast, and through February 10, 2026 for Central Florida, reduces last‑minute travel scrambles.
How to verify routes and plan your trip
Avelo posts exact days of operation and first available dates on its route pages and in the Low Fare Calendar. If you need specifics, check the booking engine for these pairs:
– MCO–HVN, MCO–ILG, MCO–ILM for late‑summer and fall schedules
– LAL–SJU for the October restart and winter availability through February 10, 2026
Watch for sale windows. The airline’s spring and summer notices highlighted fares from $42 (East Coast) and $39 (Central Florida). Those entry prices don’t include bags or extras, so price the full trip before you buy.
If your plans aren’t final, consider:
– Looking at fare options that allow changes for a fee
– Comparing total cost with bag pre‑purchase
– Setting fare alerts to track price drops
For San Juan travelers, decide which airport fits your plan:
– Orlando International (MCO): widest flight network and more ground transport choices
– Lakeland (LAL): closer for parts of Polk County and eastern Hillsborough, with shorter lines and fast parking
If you’re juggling family pickups, medical visits, or school events on both ends, the early LAL–SJU return in October opens a helpful, lower‑cost path.
Operational notes and airline behavior
Avelo’s Orlando approach blends both airports. MCO focuses on Northeast and Southeast links (HVN, ILG, ILM), while LAL broadens Central Florida coverage with nine destinations, including San Juan, into early 2026. As of July 2025, the airline serves 50+ cities across 20+ states and select Caribbean/Mexico markets. That footprint explains why schedule rollouts hit Florida in waves rather than all at once.
Avelo tends to extend schedules in increments, which can create apparent gaps before more dates are loaded. Because the airline adjusts days of the week to match demand, always recheck the Low Fare Calendar before buying, and again a few days before you fly.
Key takeaway: sellable LAL–SJU dates beginning in October and the Central Florida calendar through February 10, 2026 indicate an earlier resumption of Puerto Rico service than was first implied.
Practical tips and cautions
- Set fare alerts and check the Low Fare Calendar frequently.
- Verify TSA ID requirements before travel: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
- If traveling with children or elders, build in extra time at security.
- Compare total trip cost (fares + bags + seat selection) before purchasing.
- Reconfirm operating days a few days before departure, since schedules can shift.
Avelo has not issued a standalone “pause shortened” press release for SJU; evidence comes from live inventory—sellable LAL–SJU dates beginning in October—and the July 9 Central Florida extension that lists San Juan among active LAL destinations. Because the airline adjusts operations by demand, always reconfirm before buying.
If you’re planning trips tied to school calendars, medical care, or urgent family obligations, set fare alerts, verify TSA ID rules, and build in a cushion for ground travel between airports and your final destination. The expanded fall and winter schedules from Avelo Airlines won’t solve every travel headache, but for Orlando and San Juan communities, the earlier Puerto Rico restart and added MCO service are timely steps heading into the busy months.
This Article in a Nutshell
Avelo expanded fall service around Orlando, restoring LAL–SJU sellable dates in October and extending Central Florida schedules through February 10, 2026. East Coast routes run through November 18, 2025, with fares from $42. More nonstop MCO options (HVN, ILG, ILM) ease travel for families, students, and seasonal workers.