New Toronto airline offers flights for $20 if you travel with no bags

If you want to travel the world but you're operating under a tight budget, a new Toronto-based airline that's drawing attention for its unusually low fares and unconventional approach to air travel might be exactly what you're looking for.

The startup, called AvrilAir, is an up-and-coming, budget-friendly alternative to traditional carriers that focuses on minimal base fares and optional add-ons for services that are typically included elsewhere.

While flights to the U.S. will typically run you hundreds of dollars, AvrilAir offers a reduced rate of just $20 (plus tax and fees) for passengers who opt to travel without any bags or luggage. 

The airline's CEO, Alfred P. Solayi, tells blogTO that the carrier's innovative model is built around reducing operational costs while expanding accessibility to air travel. Initial routes will connect Toronto with smaller and mid-sized U.S. cities, including:

• Akron, Ohio
• Paris, Texas
• Reno, Nevada
• Ithaca, New York
• Lincoln, Nebraska
• Fargo, North Dakota
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Oshkosh, Wisconsin
• Lubbock, Texas
• Sioux Falls, South Dakota

"Ultimately, most other airlines upcharge their passengers massively, leading to enormous profit. At AvrilAir, we're more passionate about getting people in the sky than we are about lining our own wallets, so we introduced our reduced-rate fares to do exactly that," Solayi says. "While the higher-priced fares and add-ons like baggage and extra leg room help us meet our bottom line, our reduced-rate fares help us meet our vision."

The CEO adds that limiting baggage helps streamline operations and also reduces costs associated with fuel and handling.

"Most travellers aren't necessarily aware of all the ways in which baggage, even something as small as the personal item that goes under your seat, can increase operational costs for the airline. Every additional ounce of weight, every gram of counterbalance, uses more fuel and requires attention and skill from our flight crew. By limiting the number of passengers travelling with baggage, we can take a bit of that pressure off. It actually creates some financial padding for us."

Aside from its attractive, wallet-friendly pricing, AvrilAir emphasizes its onboard services as part of its revenue model. As a result, passengers who opt for baggage-free travel are encouraged to purchase essentials during the flight if needed.

"Let's just say that our in-flight food, beverage and retail offerings are second-to-none. More comprehensive than any competing airline I've seen. Customers who don't have baggage will be able to purchase any essentials they might need for their trip on board, from a toothbrush to clean socks. We've also got some exciting in-flight dining options, which vary by destination city, in the works. Wink-wink," Solayi said.

The airline also plans on tailoring meals to specific routes, with innovative destination-inspired menus included in higher fare tiers.

"As mentioned, our in-flight dining options, which are included in business class fares and available for purchase on all other fare tiers, will be really out-of-this-world. Dishes inspired by the destination city — like Reuben sandwiches en route to Omaha —there's no other airline doing in-flight cuisine like AvrilAir is."

Low ticket prices don't mean you’ll have to lose out on in-flight entertainment either, as business class passengers will get access to the airline’s in-flight entertainment app, which includes in-flight WiFi. Economy and reduced-rate flyers can also pay for the app by the hour, and can even rent iPads, loaded with all major streaming services, for an extra fee.

While the carrier's current route map — which some critics online have described as lacklustre — focuses on smaller metropolitan areas, Solayi says that the airline's long-term vision includes expansion into larger domestic and international destinations.

"While our list of cities doesn't necessarily include the largest urban centres around, the cities we have partnered with have large expat populations who need a route home just as much as people want to take a vacation to Paris. We also believe that, given the attractive price point of $20, it might inspire potential visitors to explore cities they never considered before. That said, we do hope to expand to larger cities in the near future, including overseas destinations like Timbuktu, Mali, and Canberra, Australia."

Standard taxes apply to all fares, and optional upgrades like additional baggage allowances, extra legroom, and onboard services are available for reduced-rate travellers at varying fees.

The airline is also exploring additional concepts for its passengers, including a proposed "AvrilAir Party Bus," which would transport arriving travellers from their gate directly to baggage claim.

"Ideally, there would be a full bar onboard, so passengers can get a much-needed drink after touching down, but we're still in the early days of sorting that out," Solayi told blogTO exclusively.

As AvrilAir prepares to differentiate itself in the massively competitive airline industry, Solayi says its commitment to affordability will rise above the rest.

"Our low fares are precisely how we plan to compete with larger carriers. Would you rather fly for $20 or $700? Of course, the lack of baggage poses a logistical issue for some, but strategies like shipping your luggage in advance or booking a separate seat for it still equate to a far cheaper trip than travelling with legacy airlines. As we expand our roster of destination cities, we think the sky's the limit as to what AvrilAir can achieve."

AvrilAir's inaugural flight will take place on April 1, 2027.

The airline and people depicted in this article are fictional.
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