Pittsburgh International Airport will begin offering daily nonstop flights to Fort Lauderdale, officials announced Wednesday.
Travelers can book their seats now through JetBlue for the inaugural flight, leaving Pittsburgh Oct. 29 at 7:15 a.m. Those making the trip will receive discounted airport parking.
Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Chief Executive, said the new year-round flight will benefit travelers and businesses.
“New air service brings stronger economic benefits to the region,” he said. “These new flights are obviously going to increase options for businesses and leisure travelers, reducing travel time and cost to Fort Lauderdale and then points beyond.”
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto said the added flight will help put Pittsburgh on the “global map” because of Fort Lauderdale’s connection to the Caribbean and Latin America.
Ashley Henry Shook, an Allegheny County Airport Authority board member, said the new travel options may appeal to the city’s Latino and Hispanic community.
“We have a growing Hispanic and Latino population here in Pittsburgh,” she said, “and we certainly want to see that continue to grow.”
JetBlue has been operating four daily flights from Pittsburgh to Boston for eight years.
This is the third new flight the Pittsburgh airport has added since January.
