You’ll soon be able to take a direct flight from Columbia to Orlando and to Destin Florida starting in June.
Fast-growing Allegiant Airlines will begin service from Columbia Regional Airport (COU) in 2026. Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe made the announcement Tuesday morning at COU:
“Starting in June, we’ll have twice weekly flights beginning June 3 for Orlando and June 5 for Destin, Florida. This will mean expanded access to destinations around the world, especially for those leisure travels,” Mayor Buffaloe says.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant says it remains dedicated to making dream vacations possible with budget-friendly fares and excellent customer service. Allegiant will join American and United Airlines at COU: American flies to Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago, and United Airlines flies to Chicago O’Hare and a daily flight to Denver.
Mayor Buffaloe and area business leaders are thrilled with Allegiant Airlines’ announcement. The mayor tells 939 the Eagle that many Columbia residents vacation in the Sunshine State:
“My family and I were on spring break in Florida a couple of years ago and I felt like it was Columbia-adjacent down there the number of Columbia families that I saw. We drove but the people that were flying having to fly out of St. Louis or Kansas City or do a connection, they had a lot harder of a travel than I did. And I think about the ease of transfer from here to Florida straight will help out so many of those families,” says Mayor Buffaloe.
More than 14,200 passengers departed COU in October, which is a new airport record. Allegiant says a hallmark of its leisure-focused business model is its network of all nonstop flights, meaning passengers spend less time at the airport and more time enjoying vacation.
Orlando is home to Disney World and to numerous theme and amusement parks. Destin is known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” and has its famous sugar-white sand beaches. The Destin area is also known for its outstanding golf courses.