San Antonio is one step closer to securing a daily nonstop flight to the nation’s capital.
The U.S. Transportation Department on October 16 tentatively awarded room for five new daily long-haul flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to five of the nation's biggest airlines, including an American Airlines route to San Antonio.
The flights would offer more options to travelers flying between Washington and major Western destinations, including The Alamo City.
The Transportation Department said it will take comments on its decision until October 30, then allow answers to the comments until November 8.
If approved, the round-trip daily flight between San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) could begin in early 2025, official say.
“We look forward to DOT issuing a final order so we can begin connecting more members of Military City USA with our nation’s capital and our industry-leading global network,” says American’s executive vice president Nate Gatten in a statement.
It'll soon be easier for San Antonians to get to the nation's capital.
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According to a release, American’s application included more than 150 letters of support from the San Antonio community, including bipartisan members of the Texas Congressional delegation, mayors, military organizations, advocacy groups, and chambers of commerce.
“We are thrilled with this announcement; SAT to DCA nonstop service via American Airlines will have so many positive impacts to our city and the entire South Texas region,” says director of airports for San Antonio Jesus Saenz in the release. “This is historic and meaningful to San Antonio and our surrounding communities and a true reflection of our partnership with American Airlines, along with the countless number of community leaders that have long deserved nonstop service from San Antonio International Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.”
Many travelers prefer the convenience of Reagan National, which is a short Metro subway ride away from downtown Washington, to Dulles International Airport, located more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of the nation’s capital.
Flights longer than 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers) to Reagan National are strictly limited by federal law, but under pressure from Delta Air Lines and others, Congress this year approved enough new takeoff and landing rights to support five new daily round trips.
The five winning airlines and their planned routes are:
- American Airlines, to and from San Antonio International Airport in Texas.
- Alaska Airlines, service to and from San Diego International Airport.
- Delta, to and from Seattle Tacoma International Airport.
- Southwest Airlines, to and from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
- United Airlines, to and from San Francisco International Airport.
The Transportation Department rejected a bid by JetBlue Airways to add another flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The department ruled that Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines weren't eligible because Congress limited the contest to carriers that already operate flights at Reagan National.
To celebrate the inauguration of the San Antonio route, the release says, American will use distinct flight numbers to honor the city’s history and ties to the military. For example, flight 1718 will commemorate the year San Antonio was founded, and flight 1947 will mark the year the U.S. Air Force was established.
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Stephanie Allmon Merry contributed to this story.
