Southwest Airlines starts direct flights to Santa Rosa's Wine Country

Southwest Airlines has begun service at Charles M. Schulz‑Sonoma County Airport with nonstop routes to cities including Las Vegas, Burbank, San Diego and Denver, and local leaders say the new service is expected to increase travelers and economic activity in Sonoma County.

Southwest Airlines has started operations at Santa Rosa's Charles M. Schulz‑Sonoma County Airport, marking the carrier's first service in Sonoma County. The airline celebrated with an inaugural flight from Las Vegas and a ribbon‑cutting event. Local officials and tourism leaders have highlighted the change for its potential to expand travel options and support the regional economy. The airport has been growing in recent years and officials discussed the arrival as a milestone for convenience and connectivity. Key details: - Southwest will offer nonstop flights to several cities, including Las Vegas, Burbank, San Diego and Denver. - The airline marked its debut with an inaugural flight from Las Vegas and a ribbon‑cutting celebration. - Airport manager Jon Stout projects about a 30% increase in available seats compared with last year. - Local leaders and tourism officials say increased service could raise visitor numbers and awareness of Sonoma County as a destination. - A local business owner estimated easier access might increase bookings by about 10 to 20 percent, as reported in the article. - Southwest plans seasonal service to Austin starting this fall, and the airline now serves 14 airports across California. Summary: Local officials and tourism leaders expect the new Southwest service to broaden travel choices for North Bay residents and visitors and to support visitor numbers and business activity in Wine Country. Airport management highlighted a projected rise in seat capacity this year. Additional seasonal routes are planned, with Austin service announced for the fall.