Spirit Airlines adds nonstop routes, bringing more service to the Hammock Coast

Spirit Airlines adds nonstop routes, bringing more service to the Hammock Coast

Even more visitors from across the Eastern United States are now only one flight away from pristine beaches and renowned golf courses of South Carolina’s Hammock Coast.

Spirit Airlines has announced it will launch nine nonstop routes to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), the Hammock Coast’s closest airport, this spring, introducing five new destinations, and resuming service from four other cities.

The seasonal service begins with nonstop routes to Manchester, New Hampshire, and a resumption of operations to Niagara Falls, New York, in April. Next up, routes to Indianapolis, Indiana; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Houston, Texas; Louisville, Kentucky; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and St. Louis, Missouri,  will launch ahead of Memorial Day weekend in May. In June, Spirit will connect the Hammock Coast to its newest market, Rochester, New York.

“Lots of people are looking to head out to great leisure destinations like the South Carolina beaches this summer, and we’re excited to launch some new routes and resume others to help our guests get their fun in the sun,” said John Kirby, vice president of network planning at Spirit Airlines.

With these new routes, in addition to the existing schedule, Spirit will be the leading carrier to MYR.

“Spirit Airlines is an exceptional asset to our community, with the airline transporting more than 44 percent of all passengers at MYR,” said Scott Van Moppes, director of airports for Myrtle Beach International Airport. “This announcement is a huge win for our travelers and we’re thrilled to offer customers more choices than ever on the Spirit network.”

Spirit continues to invest in MYR with nearly 30 daily departures during the peak season. This includes markets with multiple flight options such as twice daily service to Baltimore (BWI), Detroit (DTW), Hartford (BDL), New York LaGuardia (LGA), Newark (EWR) and more. Just last year, Spirit celebrated its 25th year serving MYR.

“We are just thrilled to see the addition of more Spirit flights coming to our region,” said Mark A. Stevens, director of tourism development for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce. “We know that means more opportunities for visitors to discover the beauty of South Carolina’s Hammock Coast.”

The Hammock Coast, located south of Myrtle Beach and north of Charleston, is served by three airports, including Myrtle Beach International.

MYR is considered one of the best airports in the United States. With a growing number of passengers each year, the number of visitors flying to the Hammock Coast is also increasing. More than 3.2 million passengers came through MYR in 2021 — a record! Direct flights are available from larger cities, such as Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and more. Nine airlines serve the airport, including Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Porter Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, along with nine rental car brands.

Georgetown County’s casual charm and Southern hospitality earned it the nickname Hammock Coast. Adventure and relaxation blend together in perfect harmony, like the flowing and ebbing of waves on the county’s famed beaches. With six communities – Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield, Pawleys Island, Georgetown and Andrews – comprising the pristine coastal area between Myrtle Beach and Charleston, visitors can experience South Carolina’s Hammock Coast like never before.