McGhee Tyson, Alligiant go 'Vegas'

Its not everyday passengers departing McGhee Tyson are entertained by "Elvis" and a glamorous show girl. Its also not everyday they get to learn how to play Blackjack and Texas Hold-em poker in the terminal.

But then again, its not everyday that low-cost carrier Allegiant Air debuts nonstop service from Knoxville to Las Vegas.

It was all part of the festivities passengers enjoyed on Feb. 15 before the first Allegiant Air flight took off with a plane load of passengers headed for Nevadas most famous city.

WIVK was on hand for a radio remote and passengers in the terminal got to try their hand at a craps table set up near the fountain at 5 p.m. The action moved past the security checkpoint at about 6 p.m., and instructors taught people how to play Blackjack and Texas Hold-em poker at the new Allegiant Air gate.

Allegiant Air president and CEO Maurice J. Gallagher said his company was pleased to extend the Allegiant Air brand to East Tennessee. "This is an exciting new addition for our airline and our customers as we launch the only low-cost, nonstop service between Knoxville and Las Vegas," he said.

Regular flights are scheduled to depart Knoxville bound for Las Vegas at 7:50 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. They are scheduled to arrive in Las Vegas at 9:05 p.m. Flights leaving Las Vegas for Knoxville are set to depart at 11:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and arrive in Knoxville at 6:20 a.m.

Kirk Huddleston, chairman of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authoritys Board of Commissioners, said travelers also gain direct access to the West Coast. "Las Vegas is an exciting city, and we are pleased that Allegiant Air is continuing to grow their investment in our community."

The Feb. 15 Las Vegas event was the first of two days of activity at the airport celebrating Allegiant Air. The low-cost
carrier also kicked off service to Orlando on Feb. 16.