American Airlines has received formal approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to begin offering nonstop flights between San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) starting in March 2025. This marks a significant milestone, as American will be the only carrier operating this direct route.
Tickets for the new service will be available for purchase beginning December 23, 2024, through aa.com or the American Airlines mobile app.
Brian Znotins, Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning at American Airlines, expressed the airline’s enthusiasm for the new route, stating, “This new service will offer convenient nonstop access to our nation’s capital for San Antonians, while helping further connect customers to our comprehensive global network.”
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg also celebrated the new route, saying, “This long-awaited connection to our nation’s capital is a game changer for our community, opening doors to countless opportunities for travel and economic development.”
San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh highlighted the potential economic benefits, noting, “This nonstop service to and from DCA addresses a need for our military, business, educational, and research communities.”
The new service is expected to streamline travel to Washington, D.C., for passengers, offering a time-saving alternative to connecting flights. The flights will be operated on Airbus A321 aircraft with the following schedule:
- Flight 1718: Depart SAT at 6:35 a.m., arrive DCA at 10:41 a.m.
- Flight 1947: Depart DCA at 7:45 p.m., arrive SAT at 10:43 p.m.
American Airlines’ new nonstop service comes as part of the airline’s efforts to strengthen connectivity for San Antonio, the fastest-growing city in the U.S. and home to one of the nation’s largest concentrations of military bases.
