Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is a smaller Central Florida airport about 18 miles northeast of Orlando. The airport traces its history to Naval Air Station Sanford, which was commissioned in 1942, and today it is used mainly for leisure-focused passenger service. Its airline lineup has changed significantly, so older lists that feature TUI Airways or Surinam Airways can now be misleading.
Quick Answer
As of July 2026, scheduled passenger service at Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is led by Allegiant Air, with Arajet flying to Punta Cana and Air Unlimited serving The Bahamas. BermudAir is scheduled to move its Orlando service to SFB on October 31, 2026. TUI Airways and Surinam Airways are former SFB carriers.
SFB is separate from Orlando International Airport (MCO), so checking the three-letter airport code on your reservation is essential. Many travelers choose Sanford for its leisure-focused routes and relatively compact airport experience, while airlines such as Southwest and JetBlue use MCO rather than SFB.
Sanford Airport offers passenger dining, shopping, rental-car services, parking, and ground transportation. Allegiant remains the airport’s dominant scheduled carrier, but international options have changed considerably as newer airlines have entered the market.
Key Takeaways
- Allegiant Air is the dominant scheduled airline at Sanford, serving dozens of domestic leisure markets.
- Arajet currently links SFB with Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where travelers can also connect deeper into its Latin American and Caribbean network.
- Air Unlimited operates scheduled service from Sanford to Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay in The Bahamas.
- BermudAir is scheduled to shift its Orlando service from MCO to SFB on October 31, 2026, so it is an upcoming rather than current SFB carrier as of July 2026.
- TUI Airways and Surinam Airways appeared in older Sanford route guides but are not part of the airport’s current scheduled passenger lineup.
- SFB and MCO are different airports. Always verify the airport code before booking a rental car, rideshare, hotel transfer, or parking.
Which Airlines Fly Out of Sanford Airport Right Now?
For a traveler booking a scheduled passenger flight in July 2026, the most relevant SFB airlines are Allegiant Air, Arajet, and Air Unlimited. Their networks are very different, so the best option depends largely on where you are going.
| Airline | SFB Service | Best For |
| Allegiant Air | Dozens of U.S. leisure routes | Low-cost domestic travel |
| Arajet | Nonstop to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | Dominican Republic and onward connections |
| Air Unlimited | Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay, The Bahamas | Abaco Islands trips |
Note: Airline schedules change by season and booking period. Charter and special flights may also appear at SFB without representing a year-round scheduled passenger route, so verify your exact date directly with the airline.
Allegiant Air: History and Services
Allegiant Air was founded in 1997 and built its business around low base fares to leisure destinations. The airline uses an unbundled pricing model: the fare covers transportation and a small personal item, while options such as a larger carry-on, checked bags, advance seat selection, and some priority services generally cost extra.
Allegiant historically operated an Airbus-centered fleet, including A319 and A320 aircraft. Its modernization program now includes Boeing 737 MAX aircraft as well, creating a mixed Airbus-and-Boeing fleet as older aircraft are gradually replaced.
The airline also sells vacation packages that can combine flights with hotel accommodations, rental cars, and attractions. For Central Florida travelers, however, its biggest advantage remains the large number of nonstop routes connecting Sanford with smaller and mid-sized U.S. cities.
Allegiant Air: Destinations from Sanford Airport
Allegiant serves dozens of domestic destinations from Sanford, with a network aimed heavily at leisure travelers visiting Central Florida. Current and recurring routes include cities such as Knoxville, Allentown, Grand Rapids, Greenville, Asheville, Nashville, Cincinnati, and many other markets across the United States.
The exact network changes as Allegiant adds, pauses, and restores routes according to demand. The airline does not necessarily operate every route every day, so seeing a destination on a route map does not mean it will be available on every travel date.
Before planning around a specific city, check Allegiant’s official Orlando Sanford International Airport page and search your exact dates.
Note: Allegiant’s Sanford route map changes with demand. A nonstop offered during one season may disappear or operate only on selected days during another, so confirm both the route and operating day before arranging the rest of your trip.
Allegiant Air: Travel Tips and Amenities
| Travel Tip or Amenity | Current Details |
| Personal Item | One personal item up to 8 × 14 × 18 inches is included without a separate bag charge. |
| Carry-on and Checked Bags | Larger carry-on and checked bags generally cost extra. Prepaying is normally cheaper than adding baggage at the airport. |
| Seat Selection | Advance seat selection is optional and generally costs extra; otherwise a seat is assigned. |
| Snacks and Beverages | Snacks and beverages are available for purchase on board. |
| Entertainment | Allegiant does not provide inflight entertainment. Download movies, shows, music, or reading material before departure. |
| Wi-Fi | Allegiant does not currently offer onboard Wi-Fi. |
Flying Allegiant is easiest when you price the full trip rather than comparing the base fare alone. Add the cost of any bags, assigned seats, airport transportation, and other extras you expect to use before deciding whether the fare is the best deal.
Allegiant’s low base fare is only part of the trip cost. Travelers who need bags or advance seat selection should compare the final checkout price rather than the advertised fare alone.
Allegiant sells snacks and beverages rather than providing complimentary meal service. You may also bring your own TSA-compliant food through security, which can be useful on longer travel days.
For baggage, review Allegiant’s current baggage rules before packing. Bag dimensions, weight limits, and fees can change, and airport-added baggage is generally more expensive than baggage purchased earlier online.
Pro Tip: Add any required carry-on or checked bags during booking or before airport check-in. Allegiant states that baggage purchased at the airport costs more, so handling it online ahead of time is one of the simplest ways to control the final fare.
Arajet: International Service from Sanford Airport
Arajet gives Sanford a current scheduled link to the Dominican Republic. The airline sells nonstop flights between Orlando Sanford (SFB) and Punta Cana (PUJ). Punta Cana can also function as a connecting point for other destinations in Arajet’s network, depending on the travel date and available itinerary.
Arajet uses an unbundled fare structure. Its entry-level fare includes a personal item, while higher bundles can add a carry-on, checked baggage, seat selection, or other benefits. Because the included baggage differs by fare, compare bundles before paying for individual extras.
Food, snacks, and beverages are available for purchase on board rather than automatically included in every fare. Travelers should also check international entry rules well before departure, including passport validity and any destination-specific immigration requirements.
Warning: A ticket from Sanford does not guarantee that you meet the destination’s entry requirements. For international travel, verify passport validity and any visa, entry-form, onward-ticket, or other documentation requirements that apply to your nationality before heading to SFB.
Air Unlimited: Bahamas Flights from Sanford
Air Unlimited offers a very different Sanford experience from Allegiant or Arajet. The regional carrier publishes scheduled service from Orlando Sanford to Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay in the Abaco Islands of The Bahamas.
Because these are smaller-aircraft regional flights, baggage limits are more restrictive than many travelers may expect. Air Unlimited currently publishes a standard checked-baggage allowance of 30 pounds total and a personal-item allowance of 10 pounds, subject to its size rules. Travelers carrying bulky beach, boating, fishing, or diving equipment should review the carrier’s policy before arriving.
The airline asks scheduled passengers to arrive about one hour before departure and states that boarding closes shortly before the flight. A valid passport is required for Bahamas travel, and travelers remain responsible for satisfying Bahamian entry rules.
Note: Do not assume a smaller regional carrier uses the same baggage limits or check-in timing as a large U.S. airline. Air Unlimited’s published allowances are tighter, so check the policy before packing.
Surinam Airways: Background and Former Sanford Service
Surinam Airways (SLM) is the national airline of Suriname and is headquartered in Paramaribo. Historically, the airline connected Sanford with Suriname, which is why Surinam Airways still appears in older articles and airport guides about SFB.
That historical connection should not be confused with the airport’s current scheduled airline lineup. As of July 2026, travelers should not plan an SFB trip around a Surinam Airways departure. Current Sanford international options instead include Arajet’s Punta Cana service and Air Unlimited’s Bahamas flights.
Surinam Airways continues to be relevant to travelers visiting Suriname and other markets in its network, but passengers seeking one of its current flights should verify the departure airport directly with the airline rather than relying on an old Sanford route reference.
Surinam Airways: Former Destinations from Sanford Airport
Surinam Airways formerly used Sanford for service associated with Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. Paramaribo remains an important cultural and commercial center in northern South America, but the former Sanford route is historical rather than a current SFB booking option.
Older descriptions may also refer to onward Caribbean connections through the Surinam Airways network. Those references describe the airline’s former Sanford role and should not be interpreted as evidence that SFB still has Surinam Airways departures today.
Surinam Airways: What Sanford Travelers Should Know Today
Because Surinam Airways no longer belongs in a current Sanford airline list, old SFB-specific baggage, meal, and entertainment advice for the carrier can also be misleading. Baggage allowances and included services can vary by route and fare and may have changed since the Sanford service operated.
If you are specifically trying to reach Suriname, search Surinam Airways’ current schedule and confirm the airport code shown on your ticket before arranging transportation. The same rule applies to any older SFB carrier whose route may have moved or ended.
Warning: Do not book transportation to Sanford merely because an older article associates Surinam Airways with SFB. Confirm both the operating airline and airport code shown on your current reservation.
Comparing Sanford Airport’s Current Airline Options
Sanford’s current scheduled carriers serve different types of trips. Allegiant is the broad domestic option, Arajet adds a larger-aircraft international link to Punta Cana, and Air Unlimited focuses on short regional service to the Abaco Islands. BermudAir will add another international option if its announced move to SFB begins as scheduled in late October 2026.
The fare models also differ. Allegiant and Arajet use low-cost, unbundled pricing, so extras can materially change the checkout total. Air Unlimited operates a smaller regional service with its own baggage and check-in rules, making direct policy comparison especially important.
At a Glance
| Allegiant Air | Current. Dozens of domestic leisure routes with low base fares and paid optional extras. |
| Arajet | Current. Nonstop service to Punta Cana with possible onward connections through Arajet’s network. |
| Air Unlimited | Current. Regional scheduled flights to Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay in The Bahamas. |
| BermudAir | Upcoming. Scheduled to move Orlando service to SFB beginning October 31, 2026. |
Tips for Flying from Sanford Airport
Start by confirming that your ticket actually says SFB. Orlando International Airport uses the code MCO, and the two airports are not interchangeable. A ground-transportation reservation to the wrong airport can add considerable time, stress, and expense on departure day.
Check in online whenever your airline permits it and follow the carrier’s own arrival-time guidance. A large scheduled airline, an international low-cost carrier, and a small regional operator may each use different check-in deadlines. Air Unlimited, for example, tells scheduled passengers to arrive about one hour before departure, while passengers on larger international flights should allow enough time for document checks and security.
Families, passengers needing accessibility assistance, and travelers carrying unusual baggage should contact the operating airline ahead of departure. Also review baggage rules before leaving home: the amount included with one carrier may cost extra or exceed the limit on another.
Pro Tip: Put “SFB” in your calendar, rideshare note, and parking plan rather than writing only “Orlando airport.” That small step reduces the chance that someone in your group automatically heads to MCO.
Former and Upcoming Airlines at Sanford Airport
TUI Airways is one reason some older web pages still describe Sanford as a gateway for United Kingdom flights. TUI formerly operated Orlando flights through SFB but moved away from Sanford, so travelers should not use an old TUI/SFB article as proof of a current route. Travelers routing through the UK may still find this guide to London and National Rail useful when planning the rest of a trip.
Surinam Airways is another former SFB operator that remains visible in older route guides. Its historical Sanford–Paramaribo service explains those references, but it is not part of the current scheduled passenger lineup described above.
BermudAir represents the opposite situation: it is an upcoming Sanford carrier. According to BermudAir’s published route information, its Orlando operation is scheduled to move from MCO to SFB on October 31, 2026. Seasonal Sanford–Belize service is also scheduled to begin later in December 2026.
Note: An announced future route is not the same as a flight operating today. For travel before October 31, 2026, do not assume a BermudAir Orlando booking departs from Sanford; check the airport code on your reservation.
Making the Most of Your Travel Experience at Sanford Airport
Sanford can be a convenient alternative to Orlando International when one of its routes matches your trip. Allegiant is the strongest option for domestic coverage, Arajet provides a current nonstop to Punta Cana, and Air Unlimited gives travelers direct access to two Abaco destinations in The Bahamas. More international service is scheduled to arrive later in 2026 through BermudAir.
The key is to work from your current booking rather than an old airline list. Verify the airline, airport code, operating date, baggage allowance, and international-document requirements before arranging transportation. That is especially important at SFB because its mix of scheduled airlines has changed substantially over the years.
If you’re planning a trip out of Sanford, Florida, you may also want to check this guide to the best waterproof sneakers for travel. Comfortable, weather-ready footwear can be useful once you reach your destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What airlines currently fly out of Sanford International Airport?
As of July 2026, the main scheduled passenger airlines to know at Orlando Sanford International Airport are Allegiant Air, Arajet, and Air Unlimited. BermudAir is scheduled to begin using SFB for its Orlando service on October 31, 2026.
Does Southwest Airlines fly out of Sanford International Airport?
No. Southwest is not a scheduled passenger airline at SFB. Travelers booking Southwest flights in the Orlando area should verify the airport shown on their reservation rather than assuming Sanford.
Are there international airlines that fly out of Sanford International Airport?
Yes. Arajet currently flies nonstop between SFB and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, while Air Unlimited serves Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay in The Bahamas. BermudAir is scheduled to add Sanford service beginning October 31, 2026.
What destinations do airlines from Sanford International Airport fly to?
Allegiant serves dozens of U.S. leisure markets from Sanford. Internationally, Arajet serves Punta Cana and Air Unlimited serves Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay. Exact routes and frequencies change by season, so check your airline for your travel dates.
Are there any budget airlines that fly out of Sanford International Airport?
Yes. Allegiant Air is Sanford’s dominant ultra-low-cost airline, and Arajet also uses an unbundled low-cost fare model for its Punta Cana service. Check the final price after adding bags and seats rather than comparing base fares alone.
Do TUI Airways or Surinam Airways still fly from Sanford Airport?
They appear in older Sanford route guides because both have historical ties to SFB, but neither belongs in the current scheduled passenger-airline lineup as of July 2026. Always check current schedules before relying on an older airline list.
Is Sanford Airport the same as Orlando International Airport?
No. Orlando Sanford International Airport uses the code SFB, while Orlando International Airport uses MCO. They are separate airports, so check the airport code before booking parking, a rental car, rideshare service, or hotel transportation.
Sources
- Allegiant Air — Orlando Sanford International Airport — current Allegiant service and route information for SFB
- Allegiant Air — In-Flight Refreshments & Services — onboard food, entertainment, and Wi-Fi information
- Arajet — Orlando to Punta Cana — current nonstop SFB–PUJ service
- Air Unlimited — scheduled Sanford service to Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay
- BermudAir — Route Map & Fares — announced move of Orlando service to SFB beginning October 31, 2026
- Orlando Sanford International Airport — Airport Master Plan — airport location, development, and Naval Air Station Sanford history
