A little known regional airline is starting to spread its wings. Earlier this month, ViaAir announced a major expansion with new focus cities in Birmingham (BHM), Memphis (MEM), and Pittsburgh (PIT). New service begins this spring and intro fares for $198 roundtrip are easy to find, even for peak summer travel.

New ViaAir Service for Birmingham, Memphis, and Pittsburgh

ViaAir began flying as a charter airline in 1997 and expanded to a few essential air service routes in 2014. Ever since, the airline has slowly been adding routes, which mostly focused on Florida leisure routes. ViaAir has a base in Orlando-Sanford (SFB), and most recently expanded flights out of Austin (AUS). It's possible that the airline may continue to expand by bringing more nonstop flights around the country.

These new flights begin in April, June, or July, and are all flown 4 times weekly. I've included which days of the week each route will operate. $198 roundtrip fares are available on nearly every single travel date from the start of service through the end of the booking schedule in January 2020. Peak summer and holiday travel included.

These fares are not advertised with an expiration date and are subject to change at any time.

New nonstop service on ViaAir to/from Birmingham

Sundays / Mondays / Thursdays / Fridays, starting April 4 or 11.

Birmingham to Austin $198 roundtrip

Birmingham to Mobile $198 roundtrip

Birmingham to Pittsburgh $198 roundtrip

Birmingham to Raleigh $198 roundtrip

New nonstop service on ViaAir to/from Pittsburgh

Sundays / Mondays / Thursdays / Fridays, starting April 11.

Pittsburgh to Birmingham $198 roundtrip

Mondays / Tuesdays / Wednesdays / Fridays, starting June 25 and July 22 respectively

Pittsburgh to Memphis $198 roundtrip

Pittsburgh to Hartford $198 roundtrip

New nonstop service on ViaAir to/from Memphis

Mondays / Tuesdays / Wednesdays / Fridays, starting June 25

Memphis to Pittsburgh $198 roundtrip

Memphis to Austin $198 roundtrip

All fares work in the reverse direction as well.

Another change for ViaAir is its shift to a tiered fare system. ViaAir's lowest fare option, the Via Choice fare, is similar to Spirit's Bare Fare in that it only includes a small personal item onboard. Carry-on bag fees start at $25 each way and checked bag fees start at $30 each way, which is the standard rate these days.

There are also charges for seat selection and printing a boarding pass at the ticket counter for this fare option, but these are avoidable if you accept a random seat assignment and print your boarding pass at home. If you want to fly as cheap as possible, choose this fare and add on any extras that are necessary. If you want more included in the initial price you pay, choose the Via Value fare, which includes a carry-on bag and seat selection, or the Via Flex fare, which also includes a checked bag and no change fees.

Featured image by Sean Pavone via Shutterstock.