New long-distance services being launched from Ronald Regan Washington National Airport (DCA) are among the more eye-catching routes starting from and within the Americas region during the first quarter (Q1) of 2025.
The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) last October tentatively confirmed that Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines had been awarded five coveted beyond-perimeter slots at DCA to add service to new and existing markets outside of the airport’s 1,250-mi. perimeter rule.
Alaska, American, Delta and Southwest are each opening new routes, while United is adding a second daily flight to San Francisco from Feb. 13. The first of the new routes will commence on the same day, with Southwest launching daily operations to Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport.
American Airlines will begin daily flights to Routes Americas 2022 host San Antonio International Airport on March 2, followed by Delta Air Lines’ daily service to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on March 9. Alaska Airlines will complete the new offerings with a daily route to San Diego International Airport starting March 18.
Elsewhere, transatlantic additions during Q1 include American’s flights between Routes Americas 2023 host Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Madrid; Scandinavian Airlines’ (SAS) flights linking Oslo and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), marking the first time the route will be served in more than 30 years; and Virgin Atlantic’s return to Canada with a route to Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Arkia Israeli Airlines is increasing U.S.-Middle East connectivity with a route connecting Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport and New York JFK, while Royal Jordanian is opening a route to Washington Dulles International Airport from Amman.
Other notable new routes opening in Q1 are Brazil’s GOL Linhas Aéreas’ flights from Brasilia to Venezuela’s capital Caracas, operating via Routes Americas 2024 host Bogota; JetBlue’s entry to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport; and Japanese LCC Zipair Tokyo’s U.S. expansion with a route to Houston.
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