Five major airlines are set to introduce new long-haul flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, near Washington. The Transportation Department has provisionally granted space for five daily long-haul flights at the airport to five of the largest airlines in the country, while rejecting proposals from some low-cost carriers.
The new routes, announced on Wednesday, will provide additional travel options for passengers flying between Washington and key Western cities such as San Francisco and Seattle. Reagan National Airport is a preferred choice for many travellers due to its proximity to downtown Washington, accessible via a short Metro subway ride, in comparison to Dulles International Airport, located over 20 miles away.
Flights exceeding 1,250 miles to Reagan National are subject to strict federal regulations. However, Congress approved additional takeoff and landing rights this year to accommodate five new daily round trips, following pressure from Delta Air Lines and others. Among the winning airlines and their planned routes are Alaska Airlines servicing San Diego International Airport, American Airlines flying in from San Antonio International Airport in Texas, Delta operating flights to and from Seattle Tacoma International Airport, Southwest Airlines connecting to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, and United Airlines commuting from San Francisco International Airport.
The Transportation Department declined JetBlue Airways’ proposal for an additional flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Furthermore, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines were deemed ineligible as Congress restricted participation to carriers already serving Reagan National. These new flights will enhance the current limited long-haul flight options from cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Denver to the airport. Travelers can provide feedback on the decision until October 30, with responses to be accepted until November 8.