American Airlines Expands Reach with New Route from Santa Maria

American Airlines has announced a significant expansion in its service offerings with the launch of a new route from Santa Maria Airport to Phoenix. This development, which took place on October 15, 2023, marks the first time in several years that Santa Maria has seen increased connectivity to major destinations. The new service, operated by American Eagle, doubles the number of routes available from the Californian airport, now joining Allegiant’s longstanding service to Las Vegas.

The new route connects Santa Maria to Phoenix Sky Harbor, a market that has not been previously served. Covering a distance of 429 nautical miles (approximately 795 kilometers) each way, American Eagle will operate two daily flights using SkyWest’s 76-seat CRJ900 aircraft, which will be painted in SkyWest’s livery. This expansion is poised to facilitate greater travel options for passengers, enabling connections across the United States and beyond.

Enhancing Connectivity

Prior to this new route, Santa Maria had limited air service options. The last major airline to serve the airport was United Express, which operated flights to Los Angeles until 2015 and to San Francisco until 2016. American Eagle’s introduction of service to Phoenix is particularly notable as it allows for a much-needed link to a major hub, with passengers able to connect to over 50 destinations from Phoenix during peak hours.

The schedule currently indicates a very early departure from Santa Maria at 05:03, allowing travelers to reach Phoenix by 07:50. This flight is the earliest California-Phoenix service offered by either American Eagle or American Airlines’ mainline operations. Following this, another flight departs Santa Maria at 16:26, further enhancing options for travelers.

Santa Maria’s Evolving Air Services

Prior to the arrival of American Eagle, Allegiant was the only airline providing commercial service from Santa Maria, operating flights to Las Vegas twice weekly with an A319. Over the years, Allegiant has offered various other routes, including previously serving Honolulu and Portland, but its current service accounts for only 12% of Santa Maria’s flights and 23% of available seats.

The entry of American Eagle is expected to significantly impact travel dynamics in the region. While Allegiant primarily focuses on point-to-point traffic with lower frequencies, American Eagle’s twice-daily flights aim to provide broader connectivity and accommodate a larger number of passengers.

This route launch is part of a larger strategy by American Airlines, which now plans to serve a total of 17 airports in California by November 2023. This expansion puts American Airlines ahead of its competitors, with one more airport than Alaska Airlines and United, and significantly more than Frontier or JetBlue.

In summary, the introduction of American Eagle flights from Santa Maria to Phoenix represents a key development in the airport’s connectivity, offering travelers new opportunities for both regional and national travel. As this service begins, it will be interesting to see how it affects passenger traffic and airline competition in the area.