American Airlines receives tentative approval for direct route from San Antonio to Washington, D.C.

American Airlines to add direct flight between Texas and Washington

By Mark Reif October 17, 2024 9:56AM

San Antonio, Texas — San Antonio, Texas Matthew LeJune via Unsplash

Yesterday, American Airlines received tentative approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for a nonstop, round-trip flight between San Antonio, Texas, and Washington, D.C. The route will provide a quick trip to the capital, and the first flights will occur in the coming months.

The new Texas to Washington route benefits both regions

Lafayette Park, Washington, D.C. — Lafayette Park, Washington, D.C. Pixabay

American Airlines’ new San Antonio to D.C. flight provides a corridor between the cities, bringing new economic and travel opportunities. During the application process, the airline submitted more than 150 letters of support from the San Antonio community, including military organizations, mayors, bipartisan members of the Texas Congressional Delegation, chambers of commerce, and advocacy groups.

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American’s Executive Vice President Nate Gatten commented: “American would like to thank the city and community of San Antonio, the San Antonio International Airport, U.S. Senator Cruz and the entire Texas delegation for its strong partnership and support of this effort. I’d also like to thank DOT for recognizing the overwhelming value this route will bring to a previously unserved market. We look forward to DOT issuing a final order so we can begin connecting more members of Military City USA with our nation’s capital and our industry-leading global network.”

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said: “Today marks a significant milestone for San Antonio as we get one step closer to securing a nonstop flight between SAT and DCA. This connectivity between San Antonio and our nation’s capital is long overdue and will benefit our community in many ways. I’m grateful for the unwavering support of our local leaders and the bipartisan backing of our congressional delegation. We are excited about the opportunities this will bring for economic growth, boosting both our business and military communities.”

Mark Reif is a writer from Stowe, Vermont. During the winter, he works as a snowboard coach and rides more than 100 days. The…

Travel

DOT approves Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines merger (and what that means for you)

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This week, the Department of Transportation (DOT) approved the Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines merger. The deal included provisions to protect customers’ reward points, continue service to remote Alaskan areas, retain routes to the Hawaiian islands, and more.
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The two carriers announced the merger in December 2023, and since then, it’s undergone an antitrust review by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Last month, the review period passed without any competitive issues raised by the DOJ. Now, by agreeing to provisions with the DOT, the airlines can move forward and become one company.

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Turkish Airlines adds route to Sydney, Australia

Turkish Airlines will begin flying to Sydney, Australia

Winglet of Turkish Airlines plane

Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other carrier. The airline’s network grows even more on December 4, 2024, when it adds Sydney, Australia to the mix. Marking the company’s second venture into the continent, the new routes fly four times weekly through Kuala Lumpur, on Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The airline will also add non-stop routes in the future when it receives suitable airplanes.

Turkish Airlines’ Sydney routes are a positive for both countries
Sydney Opera House Matthew de Rivera via Unsplash
Besides bolstering Turkish Airlines’ regional presence, the routes also strengthen ties between Turkey and Australia, helping drive trade, culture exchange, and tourism. Industry and government leaders expressed their optimism regarding the new flights.
About the new addition to global airline’s flight network, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Ahmet Bolat commented: “We are happy to announce the launch of our Sydney route, which opens another chapter for us in the continent. This new route not only enhances our flight network but also reaffirms our commitment to our presence in Australia as we connect our guests to new opportunities and experiences with the comfort and hospitality of Turkish Airlines. Sydney will also be our first destination in Australia to have non-stop flights when we receive the aircraft capable of making the journey in a single leg.”
Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: “I am thrilled that Turkish Airlines is touching down in Sydney for the first time, providing European travellers with direct access to our state’s world-class visitor experiences. The NSW Government has worked closely with Sydney Airport and Turkish Airlines to secure this new service. Sydney is the gateway to Australia and supporting this new route holds enormous potential for the growth of the state’s visitor economy.”
Sydney Airport CEO, Scott Charlton, commented: “This announcement of direct flights marks a significant milestone for travel to Europe, offering passengers seamless access to hundreds of destinations from Turkish Airlines’ Istanbul hub. We are proud that Turkish Airlines Sydney and NSW for their first non-stop service which is a strong endorsement of everything our city and state has to offer. In the meantime, passengers will get to experience Turkish Airlines’ award-winning service from Sydney to Istanbul via Kuala Lumpur in December 2024.
With more than 15,000 Turkish-born Australians in New South Wales and Türkiye consistently rated as one of the top destinations for Australian travellers, we’re confident this service will be strongly supported. Today’s announcement is also incredibly important for the Sydney and NSW economies and speaks to the impact of international aviation in supporting our visitor economy. We’re looking forward to Turkish Airlines inaugural flight and growing their services in the years to come.”

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American Airlines to add 5 new European routes in 2025

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Piazza Gae Aulenti, Milan, Italy

Beginning in the summer of 2025, American Airlines will add five new European routes. Not only will the routes reach new destinations, but they’ll allow travelers to explore Europe more easily. The new offerings include flights to Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI) — where the airline hasn’t flown since 2019 — and service to Rome (FCO); Madrid (MAD); Athens, Greece (ATH); and Milan (MXP).
In summer 2025, explore Europe with American Airlines
The Parthenon, Athens, Greece Dimitris Kiriakakis via Unsplash

The flights begin on March 30, 2025, with daily service from Chicago (ORD) to Madrid (MAD). Philadelphia (PHL) follows on May 23, flying each day to Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI) and Milan (MXP). Next is Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT) on June 5, with a daily route to Athens, Greece (ATH). On July 5, Miami (MIA) joins, with daily flights to Rome (FCO). Travelers can purchase tickets for the new routes beginning Sept. 9.