(Appleton, Wis.) May 20, 2026– Appleton International Airport (ATW) announces expanded service and service from larger planes catering specifically to business travelers. Nonstop flights to Denver, Dallas, Chicago, and Orange County, California will increase the number of routes and offer more seating capacity.
Today marks the inaugural Allegiant flight from ATW to Orange County, California (John Wayne Airport) which will mark the 23 rd nonstop route featured out of ATW. Allegiant will serve this route with an Airbus A320 plane with 180 seats, providing more access to the west coast. The Los Angeles region is served by six airports, John Wayne airport provides access to the Newport Beach region, golf courses, state and national parks, spas, resorts, Disney, Hollywood, and more.
“We like to say you can get anywhere in the world from Appleton and it’s due to the significant investment Allegiant has made here,” Weber said. “Consumer demand for Allegiant’s nonstop flights continues to be strong, and the addition of starting nonstop service to Orange County creates a new gateway to the west coast for travelers across Wisconsin.”
Additional service enhancements are:
– United Airlines will service a year-round, nonstop flight to Denver featuring a larger 126 seat
plane configured with more Economy Plus seating. The previous flight featured only 70 seats. This flight will also feature cargo service on the same plane.
– Allegiant will also restart a seasonal flight to Denver in summer starting May 22, 2026.
– American Airlines will increase the nonstop Dallas route to two times daily, also catering to
business travelers.
– ATW now offers 10 daily nonstop flights to Chicago O’Hare, including three daily flights on
American Airlines and seven daily flights on United Airlines.
– Delta Airlines currently offers three daily nonstop flight(s) to Detroit (DTW), this will increase to
4 daily nonstop flights by June of 2026.
– Delta Air Lines will increase seat capacity on its nonstop service from Appleton by an average of
20%, including a 10% increase on flights to Atlanta (ATL) and a 30% increase on flights to Detroit (DTW).
– Allegiant Airlines offers two weekly nonstop flight(s) to New York/Newark (EWR).
“Larger metro airports are seeing some decreases in air travel due to rising fuel costs, but those trends have not hit Appleton,” said Airport Director Abe Weber. “The increases in service announced today are based on long-term customer demand and continued investment in ATW from our airline
partners.”
For travelers concerned about short term costs of air travel, Weber suggests flying midweek as those flights are usually cheaper than weekends or flying in off hours such as early morning or later
night. He also adds that flying nonstop routes offered through ATW are more efficient ways to travel.
“Clearly airline travel is moving at the speed of business,” said Outagamie County Executive Thomas Nelson. “The expansion in air service proves the Fox Cities are a healthy place to do business and reflects our strong regional economy,” he said.
In addition to increased routes, work continues on terminal expansion at ATW. The new terminal has been in use for one year and existing gates will be remodeled over the next four months. Upgrades include design enhancements to visually link the old gates with the new terminal, restroom remodels, building and opening the new Grain & Grind Coffee & Deli, and linking the two concourses via an indoor atrium with water features and large windows.
Other expansions include opening two express marts: North River Express will be located before security, and North River Trading Co. will be located after security on the new concourse. SSP America, a nationwide firm providing food, beverage, and retail options to airports, will operate the express marts and the new deli.
