American Airlines to fly between San Antonio and Washington D.C.

From March 2025 onwards

American Airlines will enhance travel convenience by introducing a new nonstop flight route between San Antonio, Texas (SAT), and Washington, D.C. (DCA). This week, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) formally approved the airline’s application, making American Airlines the only carrier to operate direct flights between these cities.

Tickets for the new service have been available for purchase since December 23, 2024, through the airline’s website, aa.com, and the American Airlines mobile app. The service will commence in March 2025 and offer passengers a streamlined travel experience between San Antonio and the US capital.

“We are proud to offer the only nonstop flights between SAT and DCA starting in March,” said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning at American Airlines.

“This new service will provide San Antonians with convenient access to Washington D.C. while helping further to integrate our customers into America’s expansive global network. We are grateful to the many elected officials and citizens who supported our application, and we look forward to welcoming customers aboard soon.”

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg expressed excitement about the long-awaited route, calling it a “game changer” for the city. “Securing a nonstop flight between SAT and DCA with American Airlines as our partner is a monumental achievement,” said Nirenberg.

“This connection to our nation’s capital opens countless opportunities for travel and economic growth. We are deeply grateful for the bipartisan support from our Senate and House representatives, whose efforts were key to making this a reality.”

Economic benefit

The new nonstop service is expected to impact San Antonio’s economy significantly. “This nonstop flight between SAT and DCA will have a transformative effect on our city,” said Erik Walsh, San Antonio City Manager.

“As the fastest-growing city in the United States, we are seeing record-breaking passenger numbers at SAT, and this new service addresses the needs of our military, business, education, and research communities. Additionally, it will increase competition and offer passengers more travel options, enhancing connectivity as we continue to develop our airport.”

The San Antonio Airport System’s Director of Airports, Jesus Saenz, also shared his enthusiasm about the new route, calling it a “historic and meaningful development” for the city. “We are thrilled to announce nonstop service between SAT and DCA. This new route strengthens our region’s direct connection to the nation’s heart and will provide an even more seamless travel experience for our customers,” Saenz said.

“We are deeply thankful for our partnership with American Airlines and the dedicated efforts of our community leaders, who have long advocated for this service. We eagerly anticipate the inaugural flight in March and the beginning of daily nonstop service between SAT and DCA.”

San Antonio, home to one of the largest concentrations of military bases in the United States, has long lacked nonstop service to DCA. It is the largest city in Texas without a direct flight to Washington, D.C., and the largest city in the US with a majority Hispanic population without such a service. The new nonstop route is expected to significantly improve convenience for those travelling to the capital for business, education, research, and military purposes.

American Airlines service will offer passengers significant time savings compared to current connecting flights to DCA or alternative airports in the Washington D.C. area. To commemorate the city’s rich history and military significance, American Flight 1718 will recognise the year San Antonio was founded, while Flight 1947 will honour the establishment of the US Air Force.

With this new service, San Antonio residents and visitors can look forward to a more direct and efficient connection to Washington, D.C., strengthening the city’s ties to the nation’s capital. Commencing this route marks a significant milestone for the airline and the city, providing enhanced travel options and supporting future growth.

Hero image: As of December 2024, San Antonio is the largest city in Texas without a direct flight to Washington, D.C. Credit: Eddie Ortez