U.S. beachgoers looking for a quick, affordable escape from the Jersey Shore to South Carolina’s Grand Strand now have a fresh option, as Atlantic City International Airport adds new nonstop service to Myrtle Beach, tightening the air bridge between two of the East Coast’s most tourism‑driven coastal playgrounds.
New Nonstop Route Connects Two Classic East Coast Beach Towns
The new nonstop link between Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey and Myrtle Beach International Airport in South Carolina solidifies a growing corridor of budget-friendly leisure routes along the Eastern Seaboard. By eliminating the need for connections through larger hubs, the service dramatically shortens travel times between the two resort destinations, making three- or four-day escapes far more practical for Northeastern travelers.
Atlantic City International has long positioned itself as a convenient alternative to the larger airports in Philadelphia and Newark, with shorter security lines, easier parking and a compact terminal layout. Myrtle Beach International, meanwhile, has carved out a reputation as one of the country’s busiest leisure gateways, with a network of seasonal and year-round flights that swells each spring and summer as beach traffic surges.
For tourism officials in both cities, the nonstop pairing is strategically significant. It not only links two well-known beach brands, but also connects the surrounding drive markets: vacationers from the Philadelphia, South Jersey and Delaware Valley region can now access Myrtle Beach with a single short flight, while Carolinians and Mid-Atlantic travelers gain a direct route into Atlantic City’s casinos, boardwalk hotels and entertainment venues.
Low Fares Put Myrtle Beach Weekends Within Easy Reach
The headline for many travelers is price. Promotional one-way fares on the Atlantic City to Myrtle Beach route have been advertised in the double digits during sales periods, undercutting many connecting itineraries offered from larger Northeastern gateways. Even outside the lowest promotional windows, base fares are generally structured to remain competitive with what budget-conscious flyers have come to expect from ultra-low-cost carriers.
While final ticket prices will rise with optional add-ons such as seat selection, checked and carry-on bags, and early boarding, the core fare often remains low enough that a long weekend at the beach can cost less than a comparable road trip when tolls, fuel, and overnight driving breaks are factored in. For families in particular, the ability to trade an eight- to ten-hour drive for a flight of roughly ninety minutes at a similar overall cost is proving to be a compelling value proposition.
Travel agents and online booking platforms are reporting strong interest in short-break itineraries built around the new nonstop. Package deals that bundle airfare with oceanfront hotels, golf, or show tickets are being marketed heavily to the South Jersey and Philadelphia region, where vacationers are accustomed to driving long distances for warm-weather getaways but are increasingly sensitive to cost and time.
Atlantic City Airport Taps Growing Demand for Leisure Routes
Atlantic City International Airport has been steadily rebuilding and diversifying its commercial schedule with a focus on leisure-heavy routes, and the Myrtle Beach nonstop fits squarely into that strategy. The airport typically sees a mix of scheduled low-cost airline service and charter flights, and the addition of more regular point-to-point options has been a key goal for local transportation authorities seeking to boost passenger volumes.
In recent seasons, Atlantic City’s primary low-cost carrier has signaled growing confidence in the market by increasing frequencies to Florida destinations and reintroducing or expanding service to other sun-and-sand locales. Myrtle Beach, which already draws substantial drive traffic from the Mid-Atlantic, is a natural extension of that network and gives the airport a marquee domestic beach destination with strong name recognition.
Airport officials have emphasized Atlantic City’s convenience as part of their pitch to airlines and passengers alike. With just one main terminal, a straightforward check-in process and comparatively light congestion on peak days, the facility aims to attract travelers who may be weary of crowded mega-hubs but still want access to warm-weather destinations. The Myrtle Beach service, they argue, shows that small and mid-sized airports can compete effectively for leisure demand when paired with the right routes and price points.
Myrtle Beach Strengthens Its Status as a Nonstop Powerhouse
On the South Carolina coast, Myrtle Beach International continues to expand its already extensive map of nonstop destinations, many of them focused on secondary and regional airports in the Northeast and Midwest. The Atlantic City flight joins a roster that includes a growing mix of ultra-low-cost and newer entrant carriers, each betting that travelers will pay for the convenience of flying directly to the Grand Strand’s beaches and golf courses rather than connecting through larger hubs.
Airport officials in Horry County have spent the past several years cultivating relationships with value-oriented airlines, emphasizing Myrtle Beach’s proven appeal as a family-friendly, drive-to destination that increasingly converts visitors into repeat fliers once nonstop air service is available from their home markets. With more than fifty nonstop destinations now linked to Myrtle Beach on a seasonal or year-round basis, the new Atlantic City connection adds yet another spoke feeding tourism into the region’s hotels, resorts and vacation rentals.
Local tourism leaders also view the route as a valuable tool to extend the traditional summer season. By pairing off-peak airfare promotions with shoulder-season events such as fall golf tournaments and spring festivals, Myrtle Beach aims to keep planes and hotel rooms fuller for more months of the year, smoothing out the sharp peaks and valleys that can challenge beach economies.
Who Stands to Benefit Most From the New Connection
The most obvious beneficiaries of the Atlantic City to Myrtle Beach nonstop are leisure travelers in the broader Delaware Valley who want a warmer, wider beach without committing to a full week away. Weekend warriors can depart New Jersey, arrive in South Carolina with enough daylight left to hit the shore, and still be home in time for work after a three-night stay, all without burning significant vacation time.
Golfers are another major segment expected to take advantage of the route. The Myrtle Beach area offers dozens of courses at varying price points, and package operators are marketing fly-and-play deals that combine early-morning tee times with beachfront accommodations. For Atlantic City-based casino regulars, the new flights also open the door to golf-and-gaming combinations that pair time on the links with evenings at coastal entertainment complexes.
On the return leg, the connection is just as attractive. Residents of coastal and inland South Carolina, as well as visitors already vacationing along the Grand Strand, gain a simple, low-cost way to sample Atlantic City’s casinos, dining and boardwalk without the marathon drive up Interstate 95. That two-way flow of tourism dollars is central to both airports’ efforts to position the route as more than a one-directional pipeline.
What Travelers Should Know Before Booking
Industry analysts caution that while headline fares on the new nonstop are eye-catching, travelers should pay close attention to the full cost of their trip. Many ultra-low-cost carriers on routes of this type rely on ancillary fees for revenue, meaning that charges for carry-on bags, checked baggage, preferred seating and itinerary changes can add up quickly if not planned for in advance.
Prospective passengers are advised to compare the total door-to-door cost against alternatives, including driving or flying from larger airports like Philadelphia or Newark. For solo travelers with light luggage, the Atlantic City service is likely to be particularly attractive. Families or groups may need to factor in the price of multiple checked bags or consider strategies such as sharing larger checked suitcases and minimizing paid seat assignments to keep expenses in check.
Schedule awareness is another key consideration. Nonstop leisure routes from smaller airports typically operate only a few times per week, and Myrtle Beach is no exception. Travelers whose dates are flexible can usually secure the lowest fares, but those who must travel on specific days or around school holidays may find that seats sell out quickly. Booking early and monitoring fare sales through airline alerts can significantly improve the odds of locking in the most attractive prices.
Boost for Regional Economies on Both Ends of the Route
Beyond individual vacationers, the new nonstop is expected to deliver a modest but meaningful lift to regional economies surrounding both airports. Tourism remains a cornerstone of Atlantic City’s recovery strategy as it continues to diversify beyond its traditional casino base, with growing emphasis on conventions, sports, live entertainment and family-friendly attractions along the boardwalk and in nearby shore towns.
Additional inbound visitors from the Carolinas and neighboring states, particularly those who have never experienced Atlantic City beyond its portrayal in popular culture, represent new potential customers for hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Local business groups have indicated that they plan to coordinate promotions around the flight, encouraging Grand Strand residents to view Atlantic City as a viable long-weekend alternative to more familiar Northeastern metro destinations.
In Myrtle Beach, the impact is likely to be spread across a broad tourism ecosystem that includes not only beachfront resorts, but also golf courses, amusement parks, outlet malls, and a wide array of independent bars and restaurants. Given the relatively low marketing barrier for a well-known brand like Myrtle Beach in the Northeast, officials expect that even modest increases in airline capacity can translate into thousands of additional room nights and restaurant covers over the course of a season.
What the Route Signals About the Future of Affordable Getaways
The Atlantic City to Myrtle Beach nonstop is part of a broader trend in which airlines, especially low-cost and startup carriers, are increasingly targeting so-called “underserved” city pairs. Rather than funneling all traffic through large hubs, they are identifying direct leisure routes that can support a few flights a week at attractive price points, appealing to travelers who value convenience and cost over premium onboard amenities.
For passengers, the trend means more options for spontaneous, budget-conscious travel. Long drives that once felt like the only viable way to reach certain beach or resort towns are gradually being replaced by short hops from regional airports. In practical terms, that shift expands the range of destinations that can be enjoyed over a single long weekend, encouraging more frequent but shorter vacations throughout the year.
Industry watchers say that if the Atlantic City to Myrtle Beach service maintains strong load factors and yields, it could encourage similar nonstop pairings between other mid-sized coastal airports, further knitting together the U.S. shoreline with an evolving patchwork of affordable air links. For now, the new flight offers a timely case study in how regional airports and value-focused carriers are teaming up to reshape the way Americans reach their favorite stretches of sand and surf.