You’re standing in the middle of Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), and honestly, it feels like a cheat code. If you've lived in Bethlehem, Easton, or Allentown for more than a week, you know the drill. You could drive two hours to Philly or Newark, fight the soul-crushing traffic on I-476, pay $200 for parking, and then walk three miles to your gate. Or you could just... not.
Flying out of Allentown is basically the local's secret to reaching the Sunshine State without the pre-vacation nervous breakdown.
But here’s the thing. People assume that because ABE is a smaller regional airport, their options for flights from Allentown to Florida are limited to one or two dusty prop planes. That’s just not true anymore. In 2026, the landscape has shifted. We have more nonstops than ever, but you have to know which airline flies where, or you’ll end up with a six-hour layover in Charlotte when you could have been on a beach in two and a half.
The Nonstop King Nobody Talks About
If you want to get to Florida fast, Allegiant Air is the name you’re going to hear most often. They’ve essentially turned ABE into a secondary hub for Florida travelers.
It’s kinda wild how many direct routes they’ve crammed into that little terminal. You can hop on a flight and be in Orlando Sanford (SFB) in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Prices are often eye-poppingly low—we're talking $50 to $60 one-way if you catch a deal. But wait. There is a catch. SFB is not MCO. If you’re heading to Disney, Sanford is about a 45-minute Uber ride away.
Don't ignore the other direct spots though. Allegiant runs nonstops to:
- St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE): Perfect if you want the Gulf Coast.
- Punta Gorda (PGD): The gateway to Fort Myers and Sanibel.
- Sarasota (SRQ): For those who want the fancy beaches.
- Melbourne (MLB): This is the one people forget. It’s right on the Space Coast and super close to Cocoa Beach.
I’ve seen round-trip tickets to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) for under $150. That’s cheaper than the gas it would take to drive down there, honestly.
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The Connection Game: American, United, and Delta
Maybe you don’t like the "budget" feel of Allegiant. Maybe you have a mountain of points you’re dying to spend. If that’s the case, you’re looking at the big three.
American Airlines is the heavy hitter here. Most of their flights from Allentown to Florida will funnel you through Charlotte (CLT) or Philadelphia (PHL).
Fun fact: American actually runs a "bus-to-flight" service from ABE to PHL called Landline. You check your bags in Allentown, clear security there (which takes about five minutes compared to an hour in Philly), and then ride a luxury motorcoach directly to the tarmac in PHL. It’s surprisingly seamless. You can book this as a single ticket to destinations like Miami (MIA) or Jacksonville (JAX).
United and Delta are also in the mix, usually routing you through Dulles or Atlanta. It’s rarely the fastest way to get to Florida, but if you're flying into a smaller Florida city like Tallahassee or Pensacola, these legacy carriers are often your only choice.
Why ABE Beats PHL and EWR Every Single Time
Let’s talk about the "Lehigh Valley Advantage." It’s a real thing the airport marketing people push, but for once, it’s not just corporate fluff.
- Parking: You park right across from the terminal. No shuttles from a remote lot in the middle of a swamp.
- Security: If the line at ABE is longer than 15 minutes, people start complaining. In Newark, a 15-minute line is a miracle from God.
- The Bar: There’s one main bar/restaurant. You’ll probably see someone you know from high school. It’s cozy.
The downside? If your flight gets canceled, you don't have twenty other options to get home that day. When an Allegiant flight from ABE to Orlando gets scrubbed, you might be waiting a day or two for the next "direct" slot. That’s the risk you take for the convenience of a small airport.
Pricing Reality Check for 2026
Don't expect 2019 prices. Inflation hit the aviation industry hard, and fuel costs are no joke. However, the competition on the Allentown to Florida route keeps things relatively sane.
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January and February are traditionally the cheapest months to fly south. I’ve seen some midweek flights to Orlando drop as low as $43 for one-way tickets during the "post-holiday slump." If you're looking to travel during Spring Break or Christmas, you better book at least four months out. Prices for those dates can easily triple.
How to Actually Score a Deal
Stop using the big search engines for Allegiant. They often don't show up correctly or they hide the real fees. Go straight to the airline's website.
Also, watch out for the "bundle" traps. Allegiant will try to sell you a hotel, a car, and a "trip flex" insurance policy before you can even see your seat. Sometimes the car rental bundles are actually decent, but usually, you're better off booking that separately.
If you're flying American or United, use Google Flights and set a price alert. The prices for Allentown to Florida fluctuate wildly based on how many people are connecting through Charlotte that day.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
Stop overthinking it. If you live in the 610 or 484 area codes, flying from Allentown is the move.
First, check the Allegiant schedule for your specific dates. They don't fly every route every day. If they don't have a direct flight on the day you need, look at the American Landline service to Philly.
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Second, give yourself two hours. Yes, ABE is fast, but the airline counters can get backed up if three flights are leaving at the same time.
Third, check which Florida airport you actually need. Flying into Sanford (SFB) to save $20 might cost you $80 in an Uber to get to a hotel in Kissimmee. Do the math before you click buy.
Finally, download the airport's app or follow them on social media. They’re pretty good about posting when new seasonal routes to places like Destin or West Palm Beach get added.
Pack your sunscreen. The Lehigh Valley is gray enough in the winter—you deserve the sun.