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I just wrote about American Airlines being tentatively awarded the first of five beyond-perimeter slots at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) for its flights to/from San Antonio International Airport (SAT). For context, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved a bill that will allow five beyond-perimeter slots to be added. Each accommodate a flight that breaches the past limitation of the airport and I’ve written a good amount about the airlines that are already clamoring for these slots. Now, the other four tentative winners have been revealed and one will be awarded to Alaska, Delta, Southwest, and United.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines will add flights to/from San Diego International Airport (SAN). This has a route that has long been missing and one that also has strong ties to the military and government. A Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft will be used to serve the route. The last time that these airports were connected was by US Airways back in 2014. Alaska also flies between San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Kimberly J. Becker, President and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, said:
Leadership from all industry sectors and communities across the San Diego region have spoken up in support of nonstop air service between DCA and SAN. We appreciate that DOT’s thoughtful analysis supports restoring service between the nation’s largest unserved aviation market. We look forward to the final order to cement the service that both San Diego and Alaska Airlines have been advocating for more than ten years.”
Delta Air Lines
Delta will connect Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) with its hub in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Daily flights will utilize an Airbus A321neo aircraft. Delta will compete head to head with Alaska Airlines as they currently offer this route.
Southwest Airlines
Flights to/from Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) will be offered by Southwest Airlines. This route is also currently served by American Airlines.
United Airlines
United operates a hub at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), but it has been awarded a new slot at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). It will use it to fly to/from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for its second daily flight between this city pair.
Frontier, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines all applied for slots and were denied. None of the airlines or routes above should be surprising to anyone. The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) decision is tentative, but the agency issued a “show cause” order today. A public comment period is now open before the final order is issued.
Anthony’s Take: This has been discussed for quite some time, but the winners are in and DCA will see new flights to Las Vegas, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle.
(Featured Image Credit: Harold Mendoza.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
