Lehigh Valley gets a new airline

Direct Air, a public-charter airline, announced plans today to start flights Nov. 24 between Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown and two leisure destinations, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Punta Gorda/Ft. Meyers, Fla. The flights will operate four days a week, but the news release doesn't say which four days (someone needs to help these folks write a news release). This type of service, which has come and gone at  Lehigh Valley over the years, usually attracts only vacationers but a surprising number of business travelers -- those who want to save money, avoid the PHL congestion and can work with its limited schedule -- also may find it useful. Direct Air will use new A320 jets chartered from Virgin America, the start-up that flies between other major cities (not PHL) on the east and west coasts. As usual, Direct Air is having a fare sale through Saturday to promote the new flights -- $79 each way. Regular fares start at $99 each way. The aircraft hold 141 coach and eight business-class passengers. Learn more at

» READ MORE: www.visitdirectair.com

or by calling 1-877-432-3473.