The United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) has granted American Airlines (AA) exclusive rights to operate nonstop flights between San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The airline will launch ticket sales on December 23 through its website and mobile application, with flights commencing in March.
Brian Znotins, Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning at American Airlines, emphasized the strategic importance of this new route.
The service establishes direct capital access for San Antonio residents while expanding the airline’s global connectivity network.
Znotins acknowledged the crucial support from elected officials and community members during the application process.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg hailed the development as transformative for the region’s travel and economic landscape.
The mayor highlighted the bipartisan congressional support that facilitated the route’s approval, noting its anticipated long-term benefits for the community.
San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh projects significant economic benefits from American Airlines’ new nonstop service between San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
The service arrives as SAT experiences record passenger volumes throughout 2024, addressing critical travel needs for military, business, educational, and research sectors.
Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports for the San Antonio Airport System, emphasizes the historic significance of this development.
The route establishes a direct connection between the nation’s capital and San Antonio’s expanding airport system, which is currently undergoing its Terminal Development Program.
| Flight | Departure Airport | Departure Time | Arrival Airport | Arrival Time | Aircraft Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1718 | SAT | 6:35 a.m. | DCA | 10:41 a.m. | Airbus A321 |
| 1947 | DCA | 7:45 p.m. | SAT | 10:43 p.m. | Airbus A321 |
San Antonio holds distinction as America’s fastest-growing city and hosts one of the nation’s largest concentrations of military installations.
The city currently stands as Texas’s largest metropolitan area without DCA nonstop service and the largest U.S. city with a majority Hispanic population lacking direct flights to Washington’s most centrally located airport.
American Airlines’ new service reduces travel time compared to existing connecting flights and alternative Washington D.C. airports.
The airline honors San Antonio’s heritage through its flight numbers: Flight 1718 commemorates San Antonio’s founding year, while Flight 1947 marks the U.S. Air Force’s establishment.
San Antonio ranks as the second-largest unserved market from DCA, with 154 daily passengers each way and 56,000 annual origin/destination travelers in 2023.
American Airlines reported a total of 221,000 annual origin/destination passengers between San Antonio and the Washington, D.C. area airports (DCA, IAD, BWI) in the same year.
The airline highlighted that United Airlines (UA) and Southwest Airlines (WN) currently charge their highest fares on routes connecting SAT to IAD and BWI, respectively.
