The slots were highly coveted by the major airlines.
By Edward Russell Published on October 17, 2024
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Travelers at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia. Photo:
Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images
San Antonio and San Diego are poised to land new nonstop flight options to Washington, D.C. as soon as early next year.
The U.S. Department of Transportation on Wednesday tentatively awarded new flights at Washington’s Reagan National Airport to American Airlines for a daily flight to San Antonio, and to Alaska Airlines for a daily flight to San Diego. Both cities lack nonstop flights to National Airport, which is just across the Potomac River from the capital, because of a federal rule that bars most flights longer than 1,250 miles from the airport. DCA’s main runway is one of the busiest in the U.S., and the airport is generally considered the most convenient to get to from downtown D.C., making its routes especially sought after by airlines.
Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Seattle would also gain new flights. While they already boast nonstop options from Washington National, Sin City would gain a new nonstop on Southwest Airlines; San Francisco a second flight on United Airlines; and Seattle a new option on Delta Air Lines.
If the DOT’s decision is finalized — and they almost always are — the five new flights would begin within 90 days, or in early 2025.
The new flights would give San Antonio and San Diego residents easy access to Washington’s many sights. From the iconic monuments along the National Mall to a tour of the U.S. Capitol or a visit to the world renowned Smithsonian Institution museums.
“With the largest concentration of military assets in the world and the largest national defense workforce in the country, a top-tier biotech and innovation economy — and as the center of binational business with Mexico — this nonstop flight will be a major boon to those doing important business in our nation’s capital,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria in a statement.
And Washingtonians could hop on one of the new flights to take in San Antonio’s famed River Walk with its shops and restaurants. Or visit San Diego’s beaches and soak in the city’s relaxed Southern California vibe.
American plans to celebrate its new Washington-San Antonio flights by numbering them 1718 and 1947, or the years San Antonio was founded and the U.S. Air Force — San Antonio is home to Lackland Air Force Base — was established, respectively.
Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Spirit Airlines also each sought one of the DOT’s five new Washington National flights but were not successful in their applications.