Michigan’s Smallest Flights Are About to Reach Florida

Denver Air Connection plans its first Florida service, a Saturday flight between Muskegon, Michigan and Orlando Sanford starting January 9, 2027. The airline will use a 50-seat Embraer E145XR regional jet.

AirlineGeeks calls the 1,030-mile route the longest at-risk flight operated by any Essential Air Service carrier, meaning it falls outside the subsidized contract and carries commercial risk. It is also described as one of the longest E145 commercial flights in the country.

The flight gives Muskegon its only nonstop to Florida. The airport’s other destination is Chicago O’Hare, which Denver Air Connection serves under its EAS contract. The new service indirectly competes with Allegiant, which flies from Grand Rapids about 45 minutes away.

Muskegon airport director Ken Efting called the route a historic milestone for the airport. With only one weekly rotation, travelers will need to plan around Saturdays, but it opens a leisure option that previously required a drive.

Sources: AirlineGeeks, Muskegon County Airport