An airline name of yore has returned to Atlanta: People Express.
A start-up operation that acquired the 1980s-era People Express name launched its first flight from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday. The low-cost carrier’s only flights from Atlanta go to its mini-hub at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport in Virginia six times a week.
Introductory fares start at $79, but the airline also charges $25 per segment for each carry-on bag in overhead bins, $20 for a first checked bag and $15 for advance seat assignments, among other fees.
People Express passenger Spencer Brown said he used to fly AirTran Airways to Norfolk, but when AirTran merged with Southwest Airlines, “prices jumped up,” then the nonstop route was discontinued.
For travelers to that part of Virginia, the new service “is going to help them a lot,” Brown said.
Jeff Erickson, CEO of the new PEOPLExpress, said acquiring the bygone airline’s name cost nothing.
“It was just sitting there,” he said.
The new airline’s founder Mike Morisi worked for the old PeoplExpress and said the decision to acquire the name was born out of passion.
“I loved that company,” he said.
People Express is using Boeing 737s operated by Vision Airlines, which previously flew to Atlanta. Erickson said the deal with Vision is an interim arrangement until People Express can get its own operating certificate.
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