MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Southern Airways Express is promising a much different experience for travelers flying in and out of the Morgantown Municipal Airport when service begins in October.
“We put a very strong emphasis on everybody flying first class, the glory era of flying, and the 1960’s Pan Am style of flying. That’s what we try to do. Our pilots even wear white Pan Am captain’s hats to bring back the imagery of when flying was fun,” Southern Airways Express chief marketer Keith Sisson said at a welcoming event at the city airport’s jet center.
Next month, the carrier begins 6 flights a day from Morgantown. There will be 3 flights to Dulles like had been offered by former Morgantown carrier Silver Airways. Three others flights will go to Pittsburgh, an estimated 20 minute flight.
“So, people are going to be able to connect to Pittsburgh for 3 flights a day and have all the connections there that can get you to Vegas, to Austin, to Myrtle Beach and soon-to-be San Juan,” Sisson said.
Times will vary to include early and late flight options.
“On slightly smaller air craft, we’re able to have flights that start very early in the morning and flights that end very late in the evening. So, people can go for a business trip, for a day trip, and come back home and be in your own bed at night,” added Sisson.
The company operates a fleet of 8-passenger Piper Chieftain aircraft and 9-passenger Cessna Caravan regional aircraft.
Silver’s completion rate was a disappointment to city leaders. They are counting on something better from Southern.
“The completion percentages are 98-99% meaning we show up. We show up on time. People see the airplane, get on the airplane, fly and hit their destination. In the month of July we led the nation in our on time percentage,” explained Sisson.
According to Sisson, Southern Airways representatives have already reached out to Silver Airways to discuss accommodating passengers who made plans into October with the former Morgantown carrier.
“We’ll work with Silver to get all of the people re-accommodated. We’ll make sure the passengers are taken care of. That’s the number one priority.”
Increased travel in and out of Morgantown will be helpful in Morgantown’s efforts to progress with a runway extension project.