American Airlines' regional service, American Eagle, recently began operations at Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) in California. This new service, connecting Santa Maria to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), has effectively doubled the airport's route network, providing travelers with significantly increased connectivity across the United States and beyond. This marks the first time in several years that Santa Maria has offered such extensive air travel options.
Key Takeaways
- American Eagle launched twice-daily service from Santa Maria to Phoenix.
- This new route doubles Santa Maria Airport's total flight offerings.
- The service provides critical connectivity to American Airlines' broader network.
- Santa Maria previously lacked such widespread connections for several years.
- American Airlines now serves 17 airports across California.
New Phoenix Service Boosts Santa Maria Connectivity
The new American Eagle route from Santa Maria to Phoenix Sky Harbor began on October 15. This connection is operated by SkyWest Airlines, utilizing 76-seat CRJ900 aircraft. The service runs twice daily, offering crucial links for travelers from the Santa Maria area.
Phoenix Sky Harbor is a significant hub for American Airlines, enabling passengers to connect to numerous destinations. This new route fills a gap in Santa Maria's air service, which has lacked direct connections to major airline hubs for an extended period. The previous hub connections, such as United Express flights to Los Angeles until 2015 and San Francisco until 2016, had ceased operations.
Route Details
- Distance: 429 nautical miles (795 km) each way
- Aircraft: SkyWest CRJ900 (76 seats)
- Frequency: Twice daily
- Operator: American Eagle (operated by SkyWest)
Early Morning Departures for Broader Connections
The flight schedule includes an early morning departure from Santa Maria. One of the American Eagle aircraft remains overnight at Santa Maria, departing for Phoenix at 05:03 AM. This early timing is strategic.
According to Cirium Diio data, this 05:03 AM flight is the earliest California-Phoenix service offered by American Airlines or its regional partners. It allows passengers to connect with American's busy morning departure bank from Phoenix. This bank, between 08:30 AM and 10:30 AM, offers flights to over 50 destinations.
"The new route enables passengers to connect across the US and beyond. It is the first time in several years that such connectivity has been available," a spokesperson noted.
Historical Context of Santa Maria Air Service
Before this new American Eagle service, Santa Maria Airport's network was limited. United Express previously offered flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Los Angeles flights, which ended in 2015, had operated up to six times daily. San Francisco service concluded in 2016. The new American Eagle service marks a significant improvement in the airport's connectivity.
Santa Maria's Expanded Route Network
Before American Eagle's arrival, Allegiant Air provided Santa Maria's only other scheduled service. Allegiant operates flights to Las Vegas, a route it has maintained for 19 years. This service runs twice weekly using Airbus A319 aircraft.
While Allegiant previously accounted for 100% of Santa Maria's flight offerings, its share has now shifted. Allegiant now provides 12% of the airport's flights and 23% of its available seats, reflecting the higher capacity of its aircraft compared to the regional jets used by American Eagle.
Allegiant's Past Operations from Santa Maria
Allegiant has operated other routes from Santa Maria in the past. These included flights to Honolulu between 2012 and 2013, utilizing Boeing 757 aircraft. The airline also served Portland in 2021. Additionally, Allegiant offered service to Mesa, a secondary airport in the Phoenix metropolitan area, from 2007 to 2008 and again from 2020 to 2022.
The return of Phoenix service to Santa Maria, after a three-year absence, is noteworthy. However, American Eagle's twice-daily service offers a different benefit. While Allegiant focuses on point-to-point leisure travel, American Eagle provides critical connectivity to a wider network of destinations, serving passengers seeking more extensive travel options.
American Airlines' Growing California Presence
With the addition of Santa Maria, American Airlines and its regional partners now serve a total of 17 airports across California as of November. This number places American ahead of several other major carriers in terms of California airport coverage.
- American Airlines: 17 California airports
- Alaska Airlines: 16 California airports
- United Airlines: 16 California airports
- Delta Airlines: 13 California airports
- Southwest Airlines: 13 California airports
- Frontier Airlines: 9 California airports
- Spirit Airlines: 2 California airports
- JetBlue Airways: 2 California airports
New California Destinations This Year
Santa Maria is not the only new California airport added to American's network this year. In February, American began service to Carlsbad, located north of San Diego. American Eagle had previously served Carlsbad in 1999, with flights to Los Angeles.
The current Carlsbad service connects to Phoenix, with Envoy Air operating twice-daily flights using E175 aircraft. This expansion demonstrates American Airlines' strategy to strengthen its presence in key California markets, providing more options for travelers throughout the state.
