Florida Express Jet (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood) is a new charter airline that wants to start scheduled intra-state passenger operations in Florida on March 20 between Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Orlando and between Orlando and Tallahassee and return with Boeing 737-400s wet leased from Swift Air (Phoenix).

The company previously issued this statement:

Florida Express Jet Travel, Inc. d/b/a Florida Express Jet announced that it will inaugurate a low-cost pattern of air service throughout the State of Florida. Initial service will be between Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Tallahassee for as low as $69.00 and even includes free Wi-Fi.

Starting March 20, 2014, Florida Express Jet will inaugurate air service and provide vacation packages with Boeing 737-400 jets between Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Tallahassee. The prices on the Florida Express Jet flights will be low and without any advance purchase or minimum-stay requirements. “All” coach seats on “all” nonstop flights will be priced at $69.00. This includes all 8 daily flights in the Ft. Lauderdale-Orlando and Orlando-Tallahassee markets. One-stop service between Ft. Lauderdale and Tallahassee will be a flat $99.00. A Better Business Class service with (2-2) first class like seating, extra legroom and free drinks will be a $30.00 add-on. There will be a $25.00 per bag fee to offset ground handling and airport costs but no extra fees for ticket changes, preferred seating, carry-on bags or for snacks or soft drinks.

Flights will depart Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood at 7 am nonstop to Orlando arriving at 7:50 am and continue on to Tallahassee arriving at 9:20 am. The morning return flight will depart Tallahassee at 10 am nonstop to Orlando arriving at 10:50 am and continuing on to Ft. Lauderdale. This pattern will be repeated in the afternoon with a Ft. Lauderdale-Orlando departure at 2 pm that will arrive in Orlando at 2:50 pm and depart at 3:30 pm to Tallahassee. The late afternoon return will leave Tallahassee at 5:10 pm nonstop to Orlando and continuing on to Ft. Lauderdale. The last flight will depart Orlando at 6:35 pm and arrive in Ft. Lauderdale at 7:25 pm.

This pattern of service, which focuses exclusively on flights within Florida, is designed to give travelers in both South Florida and Orlando the opportunity to arrive in Tallahassee by 9:20 am each morning and return at 5:10 pm–a full day in the State Capitol. Residents of Northern Florida will also now have nonstop jet service to Orlando twice daily and 1 stop service to Ft. Lauderdale and South Florida. This service should prove extremely attractive to business and vacation travellers as well as to the many state students and alumni at FSU, the University of Florida; UCF and many other state educational institutions that have had to drive between these cities in the past.

The Florida Express Jet service will be provided with Boeing 737-400 jets that are operated by Swift Air. Swift Air is an FAA-certified large jet operator that currently provides charter flights for major collegiate athletic teams and for the NBA Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks and NHL Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues. The Florida Express Jet aircraft will be equipped with 12 Business Class and 138 Coach seats. Free Wi-Fi will be available on all flights. The aircraft will be painted in true Florida colors featuring the Florida sun, water and beaches, palm trees and the state Everglades. All seats on the aircraft are soft blue leather.

Thompson further added, “This new service and low prices are designed to stimulate new travelers to see the great State of Florida and to offer flying that `costs less than driving.'” He further states that “our low cost, unrestricted fares will remind Floridians of the early days of Air Florida, Southwest Airlines and PSA Airlines as they established their foothold with low fares and great service in their respective states of Florida, Texas and California. We will continue to add service as demand warrants to all of the major cities throughout the State of Florida. Like many of the travel companies in Florida that offer regularly-scheduled charter flights and vacation packages to Cuba on a daily basis, Florida Express Jet will focus its attention and service exclusively on markets within this great state.” 

The company describes itself in the following words:

Florida Express Jet Travel is a registered entity with the Florida Division of Corporations and is incorporated in Florida as Florida Express Jet Travel, Inc. The flights and vacation packages offered by Florida Express Jet are intra-state charter flights operated by FAA certified airlines and available to residents of the State of Florida. All services are operated solely within the State of Florida. Florida Express Jet Travel, Inc. is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel Registration No. ST39101.

The company continues:

Our Heart Belongs to Florida

The magical splendor of Florida is an allure that sticks to you longer than beach sand.

So the saying “home is where the heart is” could not be truer than in Florida. Most native Floridians wouldn’t trade their right flip flop for a homestead in a different state. And for hundreds of years, a similar scene has been playing out among visitors: Folks visit Florida on what starts as a short business trip or vacation, only to discover that their heart turns hostage in this stunning and vivacious state. If those affected don’t move to the Sunshine State permanently, they often buy winter homes or visit regularly.

At Florida Express Jet, we’ve got sand in our shoes too.

Founding Florida Express Jet was a labor of love. And while providing excellence in the Florida travel industry is something that we’re committed to, at its heart, Florida Express Jet is about bringing the remarkably distinct and extraordinary parts of Florida closer together. It’s about making Florida more accessible to all of us.

That’s why our symbol expresses our two most important passions: The fascination of air flight, combined with the beauty and wonder of Florida. Fixed in the shape of a “butterfly heart,” each color symbolizes an important feature of Florida that keeps people love-struck year in and year out.

	Florida Sun – The bright yellow sun confers energy and the hope of a new dawn, representing opportunity, transparency and success.
	Florida Water and Beaches – A symbol of life, the blue water represents the fun, vibrancy and richness of Florida
	Florida Nature and Everglades – Florida’s greenery helps keep the state fertile and healthy, signifying purity, youth and innocence.
	Florida’s Heart – We’ve reserved the color of passion to symbolize why Florida Express Jet exists. Quite simply, we LOVE Florida!

Let Florida Express Jet put its passion to work for you. With better fares, every flight, every day, we’re on a mission to celebrate Florida and change the way Floridians travel.

It continues again:

The Best Way to Travel the Sunshine State

Breathtaking rosy sunrises… alluring midday azure clouds… magnificent golden sunsets… Every day, the sunny skies over Florida display a magical collection of colors that celebrate the diverse and bustling activities taking place below in the Sunshine State. And now, those inviting skies are also the best pathway to experience any part of Florida you wish.

Welcome to Florida Express Jet, a happy new concept in Florida travel.

Like a sip of fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice, Florida Express Jet is an exciting new flavor of air travel in the Sunshine State. We’re fast, fun and uniquely Florida and we’re able to offer amazing fares on every flight, every day because we specialize only in Florida destinations.

Florida Express Jet was conceived as way to help Florida travelers reach their destinations faster and without the headache of having to drive. While it’s true that no place in Florida is more than 60 miles from the coast, the long, lanky shape of the Sunshine State — which stretches 361 miles wide across the north part of the state and more than 445 north to south — makes it a challenge to drive. And yet, major air carriers have not stepped in with flights to provide real travel choices throughout the entire state.

With no traffic, no tolls and no speed limit, Florida Express Jet is on a mission to change the way Floridians travel. Currently, we offer flights to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Pensacola, and Tallahassee, establishing the first layer in a network that will eventually connect every region in state. Coming in 2014, we plan to open flights to Jacksonville, Tampa, Key West and Daytona. Ultimately, Florida Express Jet will be the most economical, fastest and most enjoyable way to travel Florida.

Why Fly Florida Express Jet?

Smart Fares, Smarter Schedules – Florida Express Jet is the Sunshine State’s only point-to-point jet service featuring smart schedules, transparent pricing and world-famous Florida fun. By focusing resources and expertise within Florida, Florida Express Jet creates efficiencies that translate into a faster and more affordable air travel experience than a typical large airline. Well-planned schedules get you where you need to be, when you need to be there. And at $69, you could hardly drive to your destination for less.

Sky’s the Limit on World-Class Amenities

Don’t let the $69 rate fool you. Our fleet of Boeing 737s is loaded with all the “essentials” a Florida traveler could want. Sink into cozy leather seats, stay connected with free in-flight Wi-Fi and stretch out with ample legroom. When you Fly Florida!, it will be easy to finish that business presentation or keep the kids entertained until you land.

The Ultimate in Travel Convenience

The happiest flying experience means no hassles and no surprises, so every Florida Express Jet passenger receives one carry-on or checked bag for free. In addition, we’ve streamlined the boarding process to make it quicker and easier to fly anywhere in Florida. Our so-simple-it’s-ingenious boarding process will make your Florida Express Jet trip so enjoyable, you’ll never want to drive again.

Let Florida Express Jet Help you Celebrate Florida

When you fly Florida Express Jet, be prepared for an entertaining travel experience you won’t soon forget. You’ll encounter the perfect blend of Florida hospitality that combines southern charm and casual tropical comfort, with the enchantment of a theme park and a dash of South Beach chic. We promise to exceed your expectations.

It’s time to stop arguing with the GPS, kick back and relax … and Fly Florida.

All images by Florida Express Jet.

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