Frequently Asked Questions
The following Frequently Asked Questions may be helpful for passengers who book through Southern Airways Express to travel to Chicago or to connect to other destinations.
Southern Airways Express has an agreement with American, United, Alaska and Hawaiian airlines to provide a seamless flight connection process for passengers. Please note if your connecting flights are with one of these partners as security and baggage procedures will differ.
For the best availability, check http://www.iFlySouthern.com. The website includes connecting flights on airline partners (United, American, Alaska and Hawaiian). Tickets can also be purchased through any of Southern’s airline partners or online travel agencies. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 800-329-0485 or at the ticket counter.
Those traveling on official Purdue business should book through AAA Corporate Travel, or directly with Southern Airways or one of their airline partners—United Airlines, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines or Alaska Airlines for domestic travel. For international travel, Purdue Travel recommends booking through the university’s travel agent, AAA Corporate Travel Corporate Travel, or with one of the airline partners. A Quick Reference Guide is available to assist with booking.
To access an itinerary, visit www.iFlySouthern.com or download the Southern Airways Express mobile app. If booked through an airline partner (United, American, Alaska and Hawaiian) or a third-party, contact the selling agency.
All seats are assigned at the gate.
Passengers can check in at the ticket counter or using the Southern Airways Express mobile app. All passengers must be checked in at least 30 minutes prior to departure from Purdue, and 45 minutes prior to departure from Chicago. Passengers who check in at the counter at Purdue will also receive their onward boarding passes for connecting flights if they booked with an airline partner (United, American, Alaska and Hawaiian).
Passengers who book with an airline that does not share an agreement with Southern (e.g. Delta, Southwest) must check in with the airline in Chicago, print a new boarding pass for the connecting flight, recheck luggage and go back through security.
All passengers will go through a standard security check at Purdue/LAF.
Southern Airways Express participates in TSA PreCheck. PreCheck status is contingent upon TSA approval and is not guaranteed.
Notifications will be sent to the passenger’s email, phone and via text message by Southern. If booked through an airline partner (United, American, Alaska and Hawaiian) or a third-party agency, the selling party will contact passengers.
Southern Airways Express uses Terminal 2, Gate F4 in for flight arrivals from Purdue/LAF.
Connecting passengers who book with Southern Airways Express or one of their airline partners (United, American, Alaska and Hawaiian) do not need to go through security again at Chicago/ORD in either direction.
Your checked bags will be transferred if you book through an airline partner (United, American, Alaska and Hawaiian).
Customers will pay Southern’s baggage fees when leaving Purdue. When returning to Purdue on a round-trip, customers will pay our airline partner carrier’s baggage fees.
Checked baggage CANNOT be transferred to any other airline besides the airline partners (United, American, Alaska and Hawaiian). If you are traveling with an airline that does not share an agreement with Southern (e.g. Delta, Southwest), you must proceed to baggage claim at the termination of your Southern Airways flight and claim your checked bag. Then, you must re-check the bag with your next airline.
For international itineraries, customers must recheck their bags at their first point of entry into the U.S. where they clear customs.
Southern operates the Cessna 208, always with two pilots, between Purdue/LAF and Chicago/ORD.
Southern offers wheelchair assistance at all the airports it serves; however, customers must be able to ascend and descend the stairs to the aircraft under their own power for their safety in an emergency. No ramps are available.
Minors under 15 may not fly unaccompanied. Minors aged 15 to 17 must be booked through Southern at 800-329-0485. They may not take flights which have connections or take the last flight of the day on a given route. Additionally, all travel must be complete by 5 p.m. Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis for Purdue University students who are under 18. Parents or responsible adults of an unaccompanied minor must remain at the departure gate with the minor until they depart, and a parent or responsible adult must meet the minor at the destination airport. A $35 unaccompanied minor fee also applies.
Yes, but size restrictions exist. Please dial Southern customer service at 800-329-0485 or coordinate with local airport staff.
All aircraft are not equipped with a lavatory. An inflight magazine and sickness bag are located in the seat-back pocket.
Southern customer service is available 24/7 by calling 800-329-0485 or emailing info@iflysouthern.com. If booked through an airline partner (United, American, Alaska and Hawaiian) or a third party, call that airline or agency for changes or cancellations.
Please visit http://www.iFlySouthern.com for further information on baggage policies, contract of carriage, route maps and much more.