Southern California Is Saying Goodbye To This Controversial, Budget-Friendly Airline

If you've ever flown out of Hollywood Burbank Airport to places in California, Oregon, or even Montana without breaking the bank, there's a good chance you've flown Avelo Airlines. However, the Texas-based budget carrier announced it is officially closing up shop in Southern California, and on the West Coast. On December 2, 2025, Avelo will shut down its Burbank base — its first and once-flagship West Coast hub — and scratch all operations in the region. Until then, it is slashing the number of flights out of Los Angeles County from 13 routes down to only one by mid-August.

The airline, which first launched during the pandemic, once said its Burbank flights were some of its most successful. But according to Avelo, financial issues have led to the company pulling the plug. "We believe the continuation of service from [Burbank] in the current operating environment will not deliver adequate financial returns in a highly competitive backdrop," the company's CEO Andrew Levy said in a statement (via KTLA).

Despite Burbank's popularity among Southern California flyers looking to avoid LAX (one U.S. airport that can be a total nightmare), Levy said Avelo sees stronger long-term growth elsewhere. The company will move its fleet and staff to its East Coast bases, and affected employees can choose to relocate if they wish. Don't worry if you already booked a ticket — just cancel online for a full refund. But the company denies that the recent controversy surrounding the airline has anything to do with their financial woes.

Whatever Avelo passengers think of the budget airline, one contract in particular really had some customers riled up. Earlier in 2025, Avelo faced widespread criticism after partnering with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to offer charter deportation flights out of Arizona. Although this arrangement wasn't connected to the Burbank hub, the backlash spread nationally, with many calling for boycotts. However, Avelo has insisted the decision to leave California is purely financial and doesn't have anything to do with its dealings with ICE.

Even so, some commenters online referenced the topic when discussing Avelo's decision to leave California. "I have not used them since this whole ICE thing has come to light," user @NYC2BUR wrote on Reddit. "The protests worked!" u/Ultraberg agreed. But not everyone saw it that way, with commenter u/apx7000xe adding: "Politics aside, they served routes that helped people visit places that were otherwise unserved. I used them to visit my aging parents on a regular basis. Now there aren't any direct flights to my hometown."

Regardless of the reasoning, the airline's sudden exit is leaving a noticeable gap in Burbank's budget flight offerings. Avelo was an affordable favorite among local travelers heading to less-served regional destinations. With its departure, travelers will have to look to other carriers to fill the void — and prices may not be quite as wallet-friendly.

With Avelo winding down operations on the West Coast, Burbank travelers may worry about losing ultra-low fares to certain destinations. But not to fret — airlines like Spirit, Alaska, and Southwest are already flying many of the same routes.

For instance, Spirit Airlines currently offers flights from Burbank to Las Vegas, Portland, and San Francisco for typically less than $100 one-way. Alaska Airlines also connects Burbank to Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle for around the same price. Meanwhile, Southwest runs flights from Burbank to Eugene starting at $110 one-way (although Southwest's luggage policy change is still a huge bummer).

To get the best deals on these carriers, timing is everything. Kayak data shows that midweek flights for domestic travel are usually the cheapest. Plus, you can start searching for options about three months in advance to find the best deals. Don't forget about those loyalty programs, either. Southwest's Rapid Rewards and Alaska's Mileage Plan can offset costs with frequent flyer perks. By staying flexible on dates and signing up for fare alerts, you can still enjoy city-hopping from BUR without breaking the bank.