SAT to OKC

San Antonio airport lands more nonstop routes from Southwest next spring

Nonstop from SAT to OKC takes off next spring.

Southwest Airlines

One of Texas’ favorite airlines is readying new routes for takeoff from San Antonio.

In a December 8 announcement, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines revealed that it has extended its flight schedule through early June of next year while also quietly adding and resuming several nonstop routes, including a couple from San Antonio.

Next spring, Southwest will launch new nonstop service from San Antonio International Airport to Oklahoma City. Nonstop flights take off beginning April 25, 2022, and will run Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

On the same day, the airline will resume its daily nonstop service between SAT and Los Angeles’ LAX.

Southwest is also spreading some love to Austin with new nonstop service to Tulsa, Oklahoma. That service also launches April 25 and will run daily.

The OKC/LAX routes come on the heels of exciting news that San Antonio’s airport will undergo a massive overhaul. The soaring $2.5 billion plan — which calls for an entirely new terminal as well as upgrades to existing facilities — was unanimously approved by the San Antonio City Council last month.

For Southwest, the timing of the announcement, along with the extended flight calendar, is all about the holidays. The airline notes that “it is giving customers an ability to purchase the gift of travel and an early summer vacation as it extends its bookable flight schedule through June 4, 2022.”

vacation

Airline News

San Antonio gets nonstop flights to this Washington, DC airport

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

undefined

American Airlines will soon introduce long-awaited nonstop flights between San Antonio (SAT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). One flight will be scheduled daily, starting in March.

Tickets for the new service will be available on sale starting December 23 through aa.com or American’s mobile app.

The route was tentatively announced in October, but the U.S. Department of Transportation has now formally approved the application by American Airlines.

“This new service will offer convenient nonstop access to our nation’s capital for San Antonians, while helping further connect customers to our comprehensive global network," said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, in a press release. "American thanks the many elected officials and citizens who supported our application, and we look forward to welcoming customers onboard this new service soon.”

Flight 1718, reflecting the year San Antonio was founded, will depart SAT at 6:35 am and arrive in DCA at 10:41 am. Flight 1947, reflecting the year the U.S. Air Force was established, will depart DCA at 7:45 pm and arrive in SAT at 10:43 pm.

“This long-awaited connection to our nation’s capital is a game changer for our community, opening doors to countless opportunities for travel and economic development,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I’m grateful to those who have championed this effort and for the bipartisan support of our representatives in the Senate and House, whose advocacy was instrumental in making these flights a reality. We look forward to the positive impact this nonstop service will have for years to come."

San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh echoed the sentiments about economic development and pointed out some growth already happening in San Antonio. The release also notes that San Antonio is the largest city in Texas lacking nonstop service to DCA and the largest city in the U.S. with a majority Hispanic population without nonstop service to DCA.

“Serving the fastest-growing city in the country, SAT has achieved record-breaking passenger numbers throughout 2024. This nonstop service to and from DCA addresses a need for our military, business, educational and research communities, among others. It also promotes competition and offers more travel options for passengers flying to and from San Antonio, enhancing connectivity as we continue making progress on the airport Terminal Development Program.”

flights airport