Tag Archives: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Southwest announces a new route from Washington Reagan National to Orlando

Southwest Airlines (Dallas) has announced new nonstop service from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Orlando, Florida beginning on November 1. Orlando will be Southwest’s third Florida destination from DCA, where it is the second largest carrier as measured by passengers carried. Southwest will now offer flights to 17 nonstop destinations from this convenient downtown airport.

Southwest Airlines operates more than 260 daily nonstop flights from its three Washington, D.C. area airports. Since July of last year, the airline has added seven new international destinations from Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport, and new nonstop service from Washington, D.C. (Reagan National) to Chicago (Midway), Columbus, Dallas Love Field, Indianapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood beginning on August 9, and Orlando starting in November 2015. In addition, the carrier’s long-haul offerings from Washington Dulles have grown in the past year to add both Las Vegas, and San Diego as nonstop routes.

Also on Nov. 1, Southwest will continue its commitment to the Sunshine State by increasing the number of daily flights to twice daily service between Austin, Texas, and Ft. Lauderdale.

In Austin, the carrier continues adding new destinations including already announced nonstop service starting June 28, 2015 to Santa Ana/Orange County and St. Louis. In addition to the increased number of flights serving Customers traveling to and from Ft. Lauderdale, the carrier will add nonstop service this November to Boston (Logan), Seattle/Tacoma, and will add an additional nonstop flight to the New York area (via Newark.) The carrier began serving Austin in 1977 with six daily flights, and by the end of 2015 it will operate more than 60 departures a day to nearly 30 destinations across the United States and Mexico.

This week, Southwest also renewed its commitment to the Greater Orlando Aviation Administration by investing $9.5 million in a renovation and expansion of the airline’s Maintenance Hangar and Parts Stores Facility. Additionally, the carrier is also committed to bringing more international travel options to Florida travelers with a new international terminal located at the Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. With scheduled completion in 2017, the terminal will have five gates, a new security checkpoint, and new concessions for travelers.

Southwest Airlines proudly serves eight Florida airports: Ft. Lauderdale (FLL), Ft. Myers (RSW), Jacksonville (JAX), Orlando (MCO), Tampa Bay (TPA), Panama City Beach (ECP), Pensacola (PNS), and West Palm Beach (PBI).

Copyright photo below: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-7H4 N421LV (msn 32452) approaches the runway at Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA).

Southwest Airlines aircraft slide show:

Delta to add new Hawaii service from both Seattle/Tacoma and Portland, will introduce the 717 to SEA

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) next winter is adding two additional seasonal routes from the Pacific Northwest to Hawaii. According to Airline Route, the carrier will add daily Boeing 757 service from Seattle/Tacoma to Kona (Hawaii) and Portland-Honolulu flights starting December 19, 2015.

On February 23 Delta issued this statement:

Delta Air Lines is adding service from its hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Kona International Airport and will increase service from select seasonal markets beginning as soon as summer 2015.

The new and increased Seattle service will operate as follows:

One daily flight to Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii beginning December 19, 2015

One additional daily flight to Palm Springs, California, for a total of two daily seasonal flights beginning December 19, 2015

One daily seasonal flight to Tucson, Arizona, which was previously Saturday service, beginning December 19, 2015

Extension of seasonal service to daily year-round service to Fairbanks and Juneau, Alaska, beginning May 15, 2015

Expanded seasonal service to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, beginning October 3, 2015

Service to Kona will be operated with Boeing 757-200 aircraft. Fairbanks, Juneau and Puerto Vallarta will use Boeing 737-800 aircraft, while Los Cabos will use Airbus A319 aircraft. Palm Springs and Tucson service will be operated by Delta Connection carrier SkyWest Airlines using two-class, 65-seat Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft.

Additionally, Delta will introduce Boeing 717 aircraft on some existing routes between Seattle/Tacoma and Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Phoenix starting on September 1.

As Seattle’s global airline, Delta offers customers access to a worldwide network of destinations throughout Asia, Europe and the U.S. with 85 peak-day departures to 31 destinations from Seattle. By summer, the airline will operate 126 flights to 35 destinations from its West Coast hub.

Delta will serve Seattle’s top 15 destinations in the Western U.S. when recently announced service to Boise, Idaho; Denver; and Sacramento, Calif., launches this spring. Ketchikan and Sitka, Alaska, service will also launch in May, completing the top five destinations in Alaska.

During the summer, Delta offers 10 long-haul international flights from Seattle/Tacoma, providing as much long-haul international service from Seattle/Tacoma as all other airlines combined. This includes the top five destinations in Asia and three of the top four destinations in Europe. Delta is the only carrier to offer nonstop service from Seattle/Tacoma to Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo-Haneda.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Ex-Northwest Boeing 757-251 N549US (msn 26496) completes its final approach into Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA).

Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show (current livery):

JetBlue Airways to fly to Nantucket from Washington, D.C.

JetBlue Airways (New York) has announced it will launch new seasonal Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Nantucket, Massachusetts (ACK) service this summer. The new nonstop route will be launched on June 19, 2015, and will operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through September 6, 2015. Additional flights will be added for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Nantucket marks the 12th nonstop destination from Reagan National, where JetBlue has steadily increased its presence since it started serving the close-in Washington airport in 2010.

Flights will be operated on JetBlue’s 100-seat Embraer E190. It is the largest aircraft to serve Nantucket Memorial Airport.

JetBlue operates 30 daily flights at Reagan National Airport, making it the airline’s sixth largest city. JetBlue also serves the National Capital Region with flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N353JB (msn 19000576) completes the final river approach into Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA).

JetBlue Airways aircraft slide show:

Virgin America to start Dallas Love Field – Austin flights

Virgin America (San Francisco) has announced it is launching sales on new flights from Dallas Love Field (DAL) to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). The new flights take off on April 28, 2015, and flyers can select one of five daily nonstop flights from DAL to AUS, with convenient connecting service also available via DAL to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

Above Photo: Virgin America. The airline’s high profile arrival in Dallas.

In the fall of 2014, Virgin America moved from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to DAL and launched new, nonstop daily flights from that airport to DCA, LGA, SFO and LAX.

With the addition of the new DAL-AUS flights, the airline will offer 19 daily departures from Love Field. Virgin America has served the Austin market since 2013, with nonstop flights from SFO. In 2014, the carrier also expanded its SFO-AUS schedule.

Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A319-112 N527VA (msn 3417) prepares to land in Las Vegas.

Virgin America aircraft slide show:

American takes delivery of the first Embraer 175 to be operated by Compass Airlines

American Airlines Group (Dallas/Fort Worth) yesterday (February 11) took delivery of the first Embraer ERJ 175 (ERJ 170-200LR) (N200NN, msn 17000456) to be operated by newcomer Compass Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul). Compass will operate the first 20 aircraft. The remaining 40 ERJ 175s will be operated by American Airlines Group subsidiary Envoy Air (Dallas/Fort Worth).

Embraer issued this statement:

At a ceremony held on February 11 at the Company’s headquarters in São José dos Campos, Embraer delivered to American Airlines the first of 60 firm order E175 jets under the contract signed between the two companies in December 2013. The contract also included options for another 90 E175s, taking the total order potential to 150 aircraft.

American Airlines selected Compass Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Trans States Holdings, to operate the first 20 E175 aircraft under the American Eagle brand. The E175s will be configured with 12 First Class, 20 Main Cabin Extra and 44 Main Cabin seats, for a total of 76 seats.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Republic Airlines is already an Embraer ERJ 175 operator for American Eagle. Republic Airlines’ (2nd) Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N407YX (msn 17000370) completes the final approach to Washington’s Reagan National Airport.

American Eagle-Republic aircraft slide show:

JetBlue Airways adds three new routes from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport today

JetBlue Airways (New York) today (December 18) adds three more nonstop routes from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), all to Florida: Fort Myers (RSW), Jacksonville (JAX) and West Palm Beach (PBI). Service to Jacksonville is twice daily, while Fort Myers and West Palm Beach will enjoy daily service. During the holiday season from December 19 to January 4, 2015, JetBlue will offer a second daily service to both Fort Myers and West Palm Beach.

This year, JetBlue has significantly increased its presence at Reagan National, adding a total of six routes and also increasing frequencies in existing markets. Earlier this year, flights to Charleston, SC (CHS), Hartford, Conn. (BDL) and Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) were launched, and service to Tampa, Fla. (TPA), was boosted with a second daily flight.

JetBlue now offers nonstop flights to 11 cities: Boston, Charleston, Hartford, Fort Lauderdale/ Hollywood, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Nassau, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach, as well as the only nonstop service to San Juan, Puerto Rico. To support its expanded flight schedule in Washington, JetBlue recently relocated its operations into Reagan National’s Terminal B.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N805JB (msn 5148) displays the Barcode tail design and also has the Sharklets.

JetBlue Airways aircraft slide show:

Routes from Washington (Reagan National):

Virgin America touches down at LaGuardia Airport in New York

Virgin America (San Francisco) today (October 28) launched its new service from New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) with four daily nonstop flights to Dallas Love Field (DAL). From today, the airline is now servicing all three major airports in New York with now up to 20 flights departing the New York metropolitan area each day.

Virgin America secured 12 slots at LGA earlier this year as part of the American Airlines merger settlement. The new services have been timed to provide convenient connections with Virgin America’s new nonstop schedule from DAL. This includes three daily nonstop flights from DAL to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). With a loyal following of business travelers, the airline recently announced plans to add a fourth daily trip from DAL to DCA, SFO and LAX as of April 2015.

Virgin America Aircraft Slide Show:

Virgin America arrives at Dallas Love Field, departs from DFW

Virgin America (San Francisco) today (October 13) celebrates the launch of its new nonstop flights from Dallas Love Field (DAL) with a special inaugural flight, the unveiling of its new Dallas home and some Texas-sized deals for travelers. As of today, Virgin America launches three daily nonstop flights from DAL to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and starting on October 28, four daily nonstop flights from DAL to New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA). With a loyal following of business travelers, the airline recently announced plans to add a fourth daily trip from DAL to DCA, SFO and LAX as of April 2015.

According to the airline, “The airline will be the only carrier at Love Field to offer three classes of service in these markets – including a First Class cabin and a Main Cabin Select premium economy service – as well as fleetwide WiFi, power outlets at every seat, a full-service food menu, confirmed seating and personal seatback entertainment for every guest. The airline today unveils its unique Love Field gate space and a First Class VIP check-in lounge that mirrors the sleek look and feel of the carrier’s aircraft cabins and is the only dedicated VIP check-in area of its kind at Love Field.”

Virgin America today opens its doors on a stylish new home at Love Field that reflects the airline’s signature design. The airline’s First Class VIP check-in lounge (above) is located adjacent to its new Love Field ticket counters, and will give First Class guests and Elevate Gold members an upgraded experience from the moment they arrive at the airport’s convenient downtown location – complete with a dedicated Virgin America VIP concierge to assist with their travel needs. The space extends the airline’s cabin experience into the airport with design elements that include modern furniture pieces selected in collaboration with the Dallas-based design group Corgan – including Cassina Tre Pezzi lounge chairs, an Eames chair and ottoman and Foscaraini “Twiggy” floor lighting. The Love Lounge is also enclosed by a LED-lit divider wall by Molo Design. The airline’s ticket counter will offer user-friendly and modern white kiosk check-in tables with touch-screen panels and a concierge desk look-and-feel. Virgin America’s new gates also received the “Virgin” treatment, highlighting the brand’s British roots with a classic red London phone booth and art photography capturing moments in Virgin brand history through the decades – from Virgin Records to Virgin Galactic.

Virgin America is marking its last flight from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and first flight into its new home at Dallas Love Field today with the “ultimate Uber ride,” a “Downtown Express” flight available to Uber customers as the ultimate on-demand pick-up for those who want to beat the cross-town traffic and check out the Virgin America experience on the way to the airport most convenient to downtown Dallas. The flight will be hosted by Virgin Group Founder, Sir Richard Branson, and include a live acoustic performance by Grammy Award-winning country music star, Kacey Musgraves. Upon arrival at the airline’s new home at DAL, flight guests, including Dallas city leaders, will be greeted with a champagne toast and the airline will be giving away Uber rides* to 300 lucky travelers at Dallas’ Love Field. The festivities at the airport will be followed by a star-studded red carpet evening fete at House of Blues Dallas. A “moodlit” Uber vehicle that recreates the airline’s moodlighting hits the streets of Dallas today – and locals who catch a ride in the Virgin America-branded wheels will score an invitation to the airline’s evening bash.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-214 N361VA (msn 5515) with Sharklets arrives at Los Angeles.

Virgin America:

Video: Sir Richard’s Love List:

Virgin America Aircraft Slide Show:

JetBlue Airways to start Washington Reagan National-Jacksonville flights on December 18

JetBlue Airways (New York) today announced new twice-daily nonstop service from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Jacksonville, Florida (JAX). The new route will launch on December 18, 2014, the same day the airline also introduces new nonstop service from DCA to two other Florida destinations: Fort Myers (RSW) and West Palm Beach (PBI).

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N339JB (msn 19000490) arrives at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA).

Routes from Washington (Reagan National):

JetBlue Airways:

JetBlue Airways announces two new routes from Washington Reagan National Airport

JetBlue Airways (New York) today announced two new nonstop routes from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Fort Myers (RSW) and West Palm Beach (PBI) in Florida. The two routes will launch on December 18, 2014 and operate during the winter season. The airline today also launched three new routes from DCA to Charleston, SC (CHS), Hartford/Springfield (BDL) and Nassau, Bahamas (NAS). Additionally, JetBlue will boost its existing service to Tampa, Florida, with a second daily flight effective July 2, 2014.

The new routes and increased frequency follow the allocation of 12 slot pairs to JetBlue by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) as a result of divestitures from the American Airlines-US Airways merger. More flights will be announced this summer as JetBlue continues to ramp up its presence at DCA.

JetBlue entered the Reagan National market in 2010, becoming the airline’s 62nd destination. With the three new routes launched today, the airline now offers 24 daily flights, with service to Boston, Charleston, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Hartford/Springfield, Nassau, Orlando and Tampa, as well as San Juan, Puerto Rico. New service to Ft Myers and West Palm Beach will both launch on December 18, 2014. JetBlue will operate up to 30 roundtrips per day at DCA by the end of 2014.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A320-232 N665JB (msn 3348) arrives at Reagan National Airport (DCA).

JetBlue Airways: