Wisconsin gets nonstop flights to Mesa

Allegiant Launches Nonstop Flights Between La Crosse and Mesa Gateway

Wisconsin, welcome to the Valley. Allegiant Air officially launched its inaugural nonstop service between La Crosse Regional Airport and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport today, giving our friends in the upper Midwest a direct escape route from the frozen tundra.

The twice-weekly flights connect La Crosse to the East Valley with introductory one-way fares starting at just $62 for a limited time. The route had been in the works since 2019, but staffing complications during 2020 pumped the brakes on the plan for several years.

The La Crosse route is one of three new Mesa Gateway connections Allegiant announced as part of a broader nationwide expansion adding 30 nonstop routes across 35 cities. Mesa Gateway will also pick up service to Santa Ana, California starting February 12 and Bloomington, Illinois beginning February 13.

For East Valley residents, this means more visitors spending money in our restaurants, hotels, and spring training venues. La Crosse sits along the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin and serves a regional population that has been largely limited to American Airlines connecting flights through Chicago O'Hare. Adding Allegiant as a second carrier is a significant upgrade for that market.

Mesa Gateway continues to quietly grow as an alternative to the madness of Sky Harbor. The airport's location in the heart of the East Valley makes it a convenient option for residents of Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, and Apache Junction who would rather skip the I-10 traffic altogether.

Airport officials in La Crosse indicated there is potential for additional Allegiant routes in the future. A nonstop to Orlando Sanford is already scheduled to begin May 21.

For snowbirds and budget-minded travelers on both ends, this is a win all around.

Sources: AZ Family | WKBT News 8 | WiProud | Allegiant Newsroom | Travel and Tour World