New Flights and Upcoming Terminal Position South Walton as Florida's Destination to Watch

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WALTON COUNTY, Fla.—May 15, 2019— The sandy shores and cultural delights of South Walton, FL, are easily accessible thanks to the region’s two nearby airports – Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) and Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS).

This year, a South Walton escape became even easier, with Allegiant Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines offering an expanded selection of direct flights to the destination. Delta Airlines will continue its multiple daily flights connecting to its hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, linking South Walton to its global network.

From March 9 to September 5, 2019 American Airlines is operating Saturday service connecting Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) directly to Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS). In 2018, American added direct flights to ECP from Charlotte Douglas (NC) and Dallas/Fort Worth international airports.
United Airlines will also launch weekend service directly connecting Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) starting in early June 2019.
New flights servicing VPS from Allegiant Airlines include nonstop routes from Des Moines, IA, Huntington, WV, Little Rock, AR, Rockford/Chicago, IL, Shreveport, LA, Toledo, OH/Detroit, MI, Wichita, KS. It continues to service burgeoning destinations such as St. Louis via direct flights to Belleville, IL.

Allegiant also recently gained approval to create a new terminal at VPS as part of its plan to expand the flight path to and from the area.

Southwest will introduce non-stop flights from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) from June 8 - August 5, 2019.

Southwest will also resume its summer schedule that includes non-stop flights on Saturdays to destinations such as Austin, Chicago, Denver and St. Louis. Southwest flies from ECP to Dallas, Houston, Nashville and Baltimore year-round.

“With the addition of these flights, a South Walton getaway is within reach for thousands of more potential visitors,” said David Demarest, Director of Communications, Walton County TDC. “We’re excited to introduce a whole new audience to our destination.”

The new flights come on the heels of a new report from Watchdog.org, which named Walton County the top performing local economy in Florida. According to a Wall Street 24/7 analysis of Florida counties’ gross domestic product growth from 2012 to 2015, Walton recorded a 53 percent GDP growth rate over the three-year period.

South Walton is replete with a variety of developments: The Underwater Museum of Art – the first of its kind in the U.S. – launched last year. The second deployment will debut this summer featuring 12 new sculpture designs that have been selected by jury for permanent exhibition. A slew of new restaurants, hotel openings and renovations, along with time-honored activities such as paddle boarding on rare coastal dune lakes and partaking in wine and food festivals, are sure to inspire new and returning visitors.

About Visit South Walton:

Located along a 26-mile stretch on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, South Walton encompasses a strand of 16 beach neighborhoods, each with its unique style. Renowned for turquoise water and sugar-white sand, South Walton is continually recognized as a premier destination that offers an upscale, yet casual place to build lasting memories.