FLORIDA EXPRESS - Start-up airline plans intra-Florida flights on 737s

 

Florida Express Jet's leased aircraft will be painted like this illustration, according to the company. / Florida Express Jet
by Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY

An airline calling itself Florida Express Jet says it plans to launch service between three Florida cities in less than 40 days.

The carrier is selling seats now for nonstop service that's scheduled to start March 20. Florida Express Jet will fly nonstop from Orlando to both Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee with fares starting at $69, even for last-minute flights. Florida Express Jet also is selling connecting service between Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee via Orlando, with fares running $99 and up.

 Florida Express Jet will pay Swift Air to operate its flights on Swift Air-owned Boeing 737-400 jets. Swift Air is an FAA-certified large jet operator that currently provides charter flights for major collegiate sports teams and for several professional sports franchises, including the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association and the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.

Florida Express Jet says the Swift Air-operated 737s will be painted in a Florida Express Jet livery that features "true Florida colors," including "the Florida sun, water and beaches, palm trees and the state Everglades. All seats on the aircraft are soft blue leather."

Florida Express Jet will offer free Wi-Fi on its aircraft, which will seat 12 in business class and 138 in coach.
As for its March 20 launch, Florida Express Jet's online booking engine shows two daily round-trip flights between Orlando and Fort Lauderdale and between Orlando and Tallahassee on most days through April and into May. That flight schedule also allows for multiple connecting itineraries between Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee via Orlando.
more:USA TODAY