Elite Airways Announces Nonstop Jet Service Between Traverse City, MI and Sarasota-Bradenton, FL

Elite Airways LLC today announced new nonstop jet service between Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Northern Michigan and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Beginning on March 16, flights will depart every Saturday from SRQ at 8:30am ET, arriving TVC at 11:30am and depart TVC at 12:30pm, returning to SRQ at 3:30pm ET. Early-bird fares start at $199.00 each way* and tickets are available at 877-393-2510 and EliteAirways.com.

Elite Airways operates a fleet of Bombardier CRJ-200 and CRJ-700 jet airliners known for comfort and efficiency, and maintains an impeccable safety record. Elite Airways passengers receive free onboard snacks and beverages, first checked bag up to 50lbs, and no ticketing change fees (see website for details). Elite Airways is also pet friendly.

“Elite Airways is pleased to begin nonstop jet service between Traverse City and Sarasota-Bradenton next month, which will be ideal for vacationers traveling in either direction,” said John Pearsall, President of Elite Airways. “Our hope is to expand to twice-weekly service this summer as demand for vacation travel increases. We believe there’s good synergy between these two popular vacation destinations, and wish to thank airport officials in Traverse City and Saratota-Bradenton for their support.”

Traverse City is hailed as a “four-season” playground for anyone who loves the outdoors, with activities that include hiking, skiing, golfing, sailing, sightseeing, and exploring 180 miles of beaches and shoreline along Lake Michigan—including the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. As the country’s largest grower of cherries, its annual National Cherry Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every summer. Traverse City also offers an array of world-class restaurants, shopping, hotels, resorts and gaming casinos, as well as live theatre and outdoor events.

“From snowflakes to sunshine in less than three hours, the new flight will allow Northern Michigan residents to escape the winter weather blues while also giving Florida residents a reprieve from the heat during the summer months,” said Kevin Klein, TVC Airport Director. “Sarasota-Bradenton, located on the Gulf of Mexico, offers legendary beaches and surf, wildlife, superior fishing, and watersports for every desire. From historic hotels to family resorts, there’s something for every vacation budget. Michiganians can escape the winter weather with this non-stop flight and in just under three hours enjoy communities beyond the Sarasota-Bradenton area like Siesta Key, Venice and Tampa.  Our northern Michigan non-stop to Sarasota-Bradenton is the easiest way to enjoy the Florida sunshine.” More information about TVC is available at www.tvcairport.com.

With more than 40 miles of sandy beaches and six barrier islands along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sarasota-Bradenton welcomes year-round vacationers and seasonal residents.  The SRQ airport is a short drive to coastal destinations including Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, and Sarasota’s Siesta Beach—named the #1 Beach in America in 2017 for the “finest, whitest sand in the world” and a year-round appeal that makes it “very popular with snowbirds during the winter months.”

“We are very pleased that Elite Airways will now offer nonstop service to Traverse City, Michigan beginning next month. The Sarasota-Bradenton community will be thrilled to have added these flights, which will connect two high-profile, high-quality vacation destinations,” said Dr. Peter A. Wish, Chairman of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority. More information about SRQ can be found at https://srq-airport.com.