If you’ve lived in the Capital Region for a while, you probably remember when flying out of ALB meant a mandatory layover in Philadelphia or Baltimore. It was basically a rite of passage. You’d pack your bags, head to Colonie, and prepare for a four-hour ordeal just to get to Florida.
But honestly, the map has changed. Like, really changed.
We’re sitting in early 2026, and the list of direct flights from Albany NY has expanded in ways that actually make sense for once. We aren't just talking about the big hubs anymore. Between the arrival of budget "point-to-point" carriers and some aggressive new routes from the legacy airlines, you can wake up in Troy and be on a beach or in the Rockies by lunchtime.
The New Heavy Hitters in the Hangar
The biggest news hitting the tarmac right now involves United Airlines. Just a few days ago, they confirmed a massive shift for their 2026 schedule. Starting April 30, 2026, United is launching a daily, year-round nonstop service between Albany and Denver.
This is huge.
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Why? Because Denver is the gateway to the West. Instead of bouncing through O’Hare and praying for no wind shear, you can hop on a Boeing 737-800 and head straight to the Mile High City. It’s a 4-hour flight that opens up the entire West Coast and the Pacific Northwest without the usual "hub-and-spoke" headache.
Then you have Allegiant Air. They’ve been doubling down on the Capital Region. On February 13, 2026, they are kicking off a brand-new nonstop route to Fort Lauderdale. This is specifically targeted at the "snowbird" crowd, and they’ve been pricing these introductory fares as low as $69. If you've ever tried to drive to Florida, you know that $69 wouldn't even cover the tolls on the Jersey Turnpike.
Where You Can Actually Go Right Now
It’s easy to get lost in the press releases, so let's look at the current reality. If you are standing in the terminal today, here is where those silver birds are actually heading without stopping.
Southwest Airlines is still the king of the mountain here. They dominate the daily schedule with nonstops to:
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- Baltimore (BWI) - The ultimate transfer point.
- Chicago (Midway) - Fast access to the Midwest.
- Orlando (MCO) - Because kids need Disney.
- Nashville (BNA) - For the music and the bachelorette parties.
- Tampa (TPA).
Allegiant has carved out a massive niche for leisure. They don't fly every day—usually just a couple of times a week—but they hit the spots people actually want for vacation. You’re looking at Myrtle Beach, Punta Gorda, and that new Fort Lauderdale route.
Breeze Airways and Avelo are the "new kids" that have changed the math for locals. Breeze recently added Fort Myers to their roster, joining their existing nonstops to Raleigh-Durham and Charleston. Avelo, meanwhile, has been connecting us to the Charlotte/Concord area, which is a massive win for anyone with family in the Carolinas.
The Construction Chaos (Is it worth it?)
If you've driven past the airport lately, you know it looks a bit like a Lego set that someone stepped on. There is a massive $100 million transformation happening.
The pedestrian bridge from the North Garage? Closed. You have to walk through the first floor and cross the street near baggage claim. It’s a minor pain in the neck, but the payoff is supposed to be a completely modernized Concourse A.
Phase 2 was just finished in late 2025, which gave us those fancy new jet bridges at Gates A3 and A4. No more walking out onto the tarmac in a blizzard just to board a regional jet. The full project should wrap up later this year, including a new business center and expanded security lanes. Honestly, the TSA line at ALB is usually "fast," but "fast" is relative when you’re running late for a 6:00 AM flight.
A Few Things Nobody Tells You About ALB
Let’s talk strategy.
First, direct flights from Albany NY to New York City are... weird. Delta still runs service to LaGuardia, but it’s often faster to just take the Amtrak from Rensselaer. However, if you are connecting to an international flight to Europe, that 45-minute hop to JFK or LGA is a lifesaver.
Second, watch the airline apps like a hawk. Because ALB is a "mid-sized" market, airlines like JetBlue or Southwest will often "test" a route for six months and then yank it if the planes aren't full. We saw this with some of the West Coast seasonal attempts in the past. If you see a direct flight to a city you love, book it. Use it or lose it—that’s the mantra of regional aviation.
The Business Traveler’s Perspective
For the suits and the tech folks heading to "Tech Valley" meetings, the American Airlines and United hubs remain the backbone.
- Philadelphia (PHL): American runs this route multiple times a day.
- Charlotte (CLT): Another American stronghold.
- Washington D.C. (DCA/IAD): Both United and American fight for this territory.
- Detroit (DTW): Delta’s main artery for the Midwest.
Your 2026 Flight Plan: Actionable Steps
Stop searching for flights out of Newark or Boston by default. By the time you pay for gas, the Mass Pike tolls, and $40-a-day parking at Logan, you’ve spent more than the "savings" on the ticket.
- Check the United Denver Route: If you’re planning a summer 2026 trip to the Rockies, book that April/May window now.
- Monitor the "New" Low-Cost Carriers: Download the Breeze and Avelo apps. They don't always show up on the big search engines like Expedia as reliably as the majors do.
- Account for Construction Time: Give yourself an extra 20 minutes for parking. The lane closures in front of the terminal are still shifting as they work on the "Front Door" project.
- The E-Lot Secret: If the garages are full, the E-Lot shuttle is actually surprisingly fast. It’s located across the street from baggage claim now.
The days of Albany being a "feeder-only" airport are fading. With 1.5 million people expected to pass through those gates this year, the airlines are finally noticing that we’d rather fly from our own backyard than drive three hours to New Jersey.
Check the flight boards, skip the layover, and get where you’re going. The options are finally catching up to the demand.