Non-stop flights to Atlanta to be added

ASHWAUBENON - There will soon be another choice for air travelers heading out of Austin Straubel International Airport.

Delta announced Monday starting in June; it will offer a daily, round-trip, non-stop flight between Ashwaubenon and Atlanta.

The flight will leave Austin Straubel at 6:00 a.m., and return to Titletown a little after 8:00 p.m.    

The announcement was about a year in the making.

A daily flight reconnects the Green Bay area with the world's busiest airport.

The same service was canceled in 2008, because of high fuel costs and low airfares.

And even with the flight's return, the convenience comes with a price.

The flight to Atlanta will feature a 65-passenger jet complete with Wi-Fi and food service.

Kathy Grawien says she will check out the flight.

"I have two children. One in Tampa and one in Washington, D.C. that the quicker we get to the destination the better it is. The more flights available would be super.”

Airport leaders and tourism officials made the announcement Monday. They say the non-stop flight will be convenient for business people.

“They're trying to fly in speakers, and people that are coming to their conference, are trying to get in, you need to have quality service," said Brad Toll, Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau.

But how much will the flight cost?

We called Delta to find out what the cost for the new flight from Austin Straubel would be. The company said it would not speculate on fares six months out.

We checked Delta's website for flights leaving Tuesday for Atlanta for a one passenger, economy class, round-trip ticket.

From Milwaukee, non-stop to Atlanta will cost $533.

Outagamie County Regional Airport in Greenville offers two daily non-stop flights to Atlanta. The cost of the ticket is $748.

Austin Straubel offers a connecting flight to Detroit, before heading to Atlanta, for $875.

"Non-stop service is really a preferred flight rather than having to make a connection even if the price is a little bit higher," said Tom Miller, Austin Straubel International Airport director.

Kathy Grawien will continue to search for the best deals.

"I look at frequent-flyer miles, not so much that, but my charge card that I set aside too, and save that up for discounts on my flying," said Grawien.

Delta made the investment.

Area leaders say it will be up to the business leaders to promote the flight.

"We needed to sell them on the fact that our community is a strong vibrant community that is growing, and that demand is going to be there and that we're going to be able to fill the seats on the aircraft," said Toll.

This will be the second non-stop flight to Atlanta from Northeast Wisconsin.

Airport directors at both Outagamie Regional and Austin Straubel say they aren't worried about direct competition.

They say there is enough business for each airport to go around.