Elite Airways Announces Nonstop Jet Service Between Traverse City, MI and Sarasota-Bradenton, FL

Elite Airways LLC today announced new nonstop jet service between Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Northern Michigan and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Beginning on March 16, flights will depart every Saturday from SRQ at 8:30am ET, arriving TVC at 11:30am and depart TVC at 12:30pm, returning to SRQ at 3:30pm ET. Early-bird fares start at $199.00 each way* and tickets are available at 877-393-2510 and EliteAirways.com.

Elite Airways operates a fleet of Bombardier CRJ-200 and CRJ-700 jet airliners known for comfort and efficiency, and maintains an impeccable safety record. Elite Airways passengers receive free onboard snacks and beverages, first checked bag up to 50lbs, and no ticketing change fees (see website for details). Elite Airways is also pet friendly.

“Elite Airways is pleased to begin nonstop jet service between Traverse City and Sarasota-Bradenton next month, which will be ideal for vacationers traveling in either direction,” said John Pearsall, President of Elite Airways. “Our hope is to expand to twice-weekly service this summer as demand for vacation travel increases. We believe there’s good synergy between these two popular vacation destinations, and wish to thank airport officials in Traverse City and Saratota-Bradenton for their support.”

Traverse City is hailed as a “four-season” playground for anyone who loves the outdoors, with activities that include hiking, skiing, golfing, sailing, sightseeing, and exploring 180 miles of beaches and shoreline along Lake Michigan—including the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. As the country’s largest grower of cherries, its annual National Cherry Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every summer. Traverse City also offers an array of world-class restaurants, shopping, hotels, resorts and gaming casinos, as well as live theatre and outdoor events.

“From snowflakes to sunshine in less than three hours, the new flight will allow Northern Michigan residents to escape the winter weather blues while also giving Florida residents a reprieve from the heat during the summer months,” said Kevin Klein, TVC Airport Director. “Sarasota-Bradenton, located on the Gulf of Mexico, offers legendary beaches and surf, wildlife, superior fishing, and watersports for every desire. From historic hotels to family resorts, there’s something for every vacation budget. Michiganians can escape the winter weather with this non-stop flight and in just under three hours enjoy communities beyond the Sarasota-Bradenton area like Siesta Key, Venice and Tampa.  Our northern Michigan non-stop to Sarasota-Bradenton is the easiest way to enjoy the Florida sunshine.” More information about TVC is available at www.tvcairport.com.

With more than 40 miles of sandy beaches and six barrier islands along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sarasota-Bradenton welcomes year-round vacationers and seasonal residents.  The SRQ airport is a short drive to coastal destinations including Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, and Sarasota’s Siesta Beach—named the #1 Beach in America in 2017 for the “finest, whitest sand in the world” and a year-round appeal that makes it “very popular with snowbirds during the winter months.”

“We are very pleased that Elite Airways will now offer nonstop service to Traverse City, Michigan beginning next month. The Sarasota-Bradenton community will be thrilled to have added these flights, which will connect two high-profile, high-quality vacation destinations,” said Dr. Peter A. Wish, Chairman of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority. More information about SRQ can be found at https://srq-airport.com.

About Elite Airways

Headquartered in Portland Maine, Elite Airways LLC was founded in 2006 by airline veterans with the goal to provide passengers a better travel experience with nonstop flights, competitive prices and exceptional service. Elite Airways is a U.S. Part 121 Air Carrier and provides chartered and scheduled service throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and South America. The airline’s routes connect underserved communities with popular destinations that include New York City/Newark, Portland ME, Asheville NC, Myrtle Beach SC, Orlando-Melbourne, Sarasota-Bradenton, and Vero Beach FL, and the island of Bimini in the Bahamas. All scheduled flights are sold and operated by Elite Airways LLC, and available for purchase at www.EliteAirways.com or by calling 877-393-2510.

*Starting fare for a one way ticket. **For Elite Airways flights, the first checked bag and carry-on will be free, $50.00 USD for a second checked bag, and $75.00 for the third checked bag per person. Each checked bag weighing between 51 and 70 pounds will be assessed a fee of $25 in addition to the checked bag fee. Each checked bag weighing between 71 and 100 pounds will be assessed a fee of $100.00. All prices quoted in US Dollars ($ USD) unless specified otherwise. Visit EliteAirways.com for more details on our standard baggage service fee schedule. Dates of the advertised flights are subject to change in accordance with regulatory requirements. See the TSA website for a list of prohibited items.