June 07--Southern Airways Express has officially landed in Destin.
"This was our very first flight, system wide, and we came from Olive Branch, Mississippi," COO Keith Sisson told The Log shortly after hopping off the plane. "We had three passengers on board, not counting myself, and those passengers booked yesterday, so those are folks that really wanted to be here."
The upstart airline has been teasing its plans for Destin service since April, as they began to post pictures of different Destin landmarks on their Facebook page.
The Memphis-based airline will use turboprop Cessna Caravans to carry passengers to destinations along the southeast. They will offer flights between Destin Airport and Memphis, Oxford, Miss., Birmingham and New Orleans. The airline also will serve Panama City and Gulf Shores, Ala.
Sisson has said the airline plans to make flying "fun again." The airline does not charge baggage fees, and allows each passenger one carry-on bag and a checked bag up to 50 pounds. Passengers will also have an iPad to use that's loaded with movies, television shows, concerts and music for in-flight entertainment.
"It's unlike any air travel concept you ever been around before from a passenger standpoint," Sisson told The Log. "You just buy a ticket, get on the plane and we'll take you where you want to go."
The airline will be using the newly renovated Miracle Strip Aviation as its terminal. To learn more about Southern Airways Express, or to book a flight, visit www.iflysouthern.com.
"This has been a long time coming for all of us," he said. "We're very excited for this very first flight to be here to Destin."
Copyright 2013 - The Destin Log, Fla.
