U.S. Department of Transportation Approves Alaska Airlines Nonstop Flight Between San Diego and Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved Alaska Airlines’ proposal to begin nonstop service from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

This highly coveted route will offer travelers close and convenient access from DCA to our nation’s capital and enhanced connectivity between major hubs for defense, economic, and social activity. Prior to this announcement, San Diego had been the single largest market in the United States without nonstop service to DCA.

San Diego, with its large military presence, is one of the largest government-related travel markets in the country, driven by demand to key institutions closest to DCA, including the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security. The next closest airport, Dulles International, is nearly an hour’s drive from the Pentagon.

“We are very pleased with the DOT’s approval of Alaska Airlines to begin service between SAN and DCA,” said Kimberly J. Becker, President and CEO, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “This route will provide significant convenience for our defense, biotech and communications sectors that require efficient access to the nation’s capital. We appreciate the DOT’s thoughtful analysis, and we are grateful to the many elected officials, industry sectors, and communities who spoke up in support of this service.”

Alaska Airlines applied to provide the SAN-DCA nonstop flight when the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 passed and allocated additional flights to and from heavily regulated DCA, the closest airport to the nation’s capital.  Nonstop flights from cities farther than 1,250 miles from DCA are limited by a perimeter rule that requires special approval from the DOT.

For information on Alaska Airlines nonstop flights between SAN and DCA or to purchase tickets, visit www.alaskaair.com. For information on nonstop destination from SAN, please visit san.org.