Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved Alaska Airlines’ proposal to begin nonstop service from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
This highly coveted route will offer travelers close and convenient access from DCA to our nation’s capital and enhanced connectivity between major hubs for defense, economic, and social activity. Prior to this announcement, San Diego had been the single largest market in the United States without nonstop service to DCA.
San Diego, with its large military presence, is one of the largest government-related travel markets in the country, driven by demand to key institutions closest to DCA, including the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security. The next closest airport, Dulles International, is nearly an hour’s drive from the Pentagon.
“We are very pleased with the DOT’s approval of Alaska Airlines to begin service between SAN and DCA,” said Kimberly J. Becker, President and CEO, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “This route will provide significant convenience for our defense, biotech and communications sectors that require efficient access to the nation’s capital. We appreciate the DOT’s thoughtful analysis, and we are grateful to the many elected officials, industry sectors, and communities who spoke up in support of this service.”
Alaska Airlines applied to provide the SAN-DCA nonstop flight when the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 passed and allocated additional flights to and from heavily regulated DCA, the closest airport to the nation’s capital. Nonstop flights from cities farther than 1,250 miles from DCA are limited by a perimeter rule that requires special approval from the DOT.
For information on Alaska Airlines nonstop flights between SAN and DCA or to purchase tickets, visit www.alaskaair.com. For information on nonstop destinations from SAN, please visit san.org.
ABOUT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SAN)
Owned and operated by San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (Airport Authority), San Diego International Airport (SAN) is one of the busiest single-runway commercial service airports in the world and the third-busiest airport in California. SAN contributes nearly $12 billion in economic activity for the region by connecting the world to San Diego and San Diego to the world. In November 2021, the Airport Authority began construction on the New T1 which includes the replacement of the current Terminal 1, improvements to the airfield, improved transportation connectivity to the airport, and a new administration building. The New T1’s project budget is $3.8 billion and is estimated to create between 15,000 to 20,000 construction-related jobs. For more information about the New T1 please visit newt1.com. For more information about SAN please visit san.org.
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