New Schedules at Sarasota-Bradenton Airport Making Travel Here on the Suncoast More Convenient
In 2020 the travel industry and the ability to move about the country came to a screeching halt. Now though, as 2021 kicks everyone back into gear, we have reason to celebrate here on the Suncoast, as the Sarasota-Bradenton International airport continues to add more direct flights to many great destinations. With traffic rising over 25% in February 2021, the need for expanded flights has been foremost in everyone’s mind at the airport, and the announcement of expanded timelines and even new destinations continues. Getting out to visit family, make a quick weekend jaunt someplace, or maybe just getting back to business as usual has gotten more convenient from our backyard.
Sarasota was once considered a small regional airport but now boasts destinations/arrivals from:
- Air Canada
- Allegiant Air
- American Airlines
- Delta
- Elite Airways
- Frontier
- JetBlue
- Southwest
- Sun Country Airlines
- United Airlines
Not all flights are nonstop, of course, but connecting to some of the larger airports no longer means a trip to Tampa. A short drive away in our community, you can conveniently board a flight without the larger crowds and huge traffic jams. Here is a sampling of some of the airport’s biggest highlights of late.
Southwest Big Announcements at the Airport
Southwest has been one of the biggest contributors to the line-up of new routes in and out of Sarasota. In 2020 they started announcing new direct flights into Sarasota/Bradenton, and the offerings continue to grow. They recently announced five additional nonstop options to cities such as Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Kansas City, and St. Louis. This latest announcement brings the list of nonstop Southwest routes to the following:
- Atlanta, GA – ATL
- Baltimore/Washington MD-BWI
- Chicago (Midway), I.L. – MDW
- Cincinnati, OH – CVG
- Cleveland, OH – CLE
- Columbus, OH – CMH
- Dallas (Love Field), TX – DAL
- Denver, CO – DEN
- Grand Rapids, MI – GRR
- Houston (Hobby), TX – HOU
- Indianapolis, IN – IND
- Kansas City, MO – MCI
- Milwaukee, WI – MKE
- Nashville, TN – BNA
- Pittsburgh, PA – PIT
- St. Louis, MO – STL
Other Big News
In March, Delta also extended its nonstop service between SRQ and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) through the summer with once-a-day service. United has also recently added Houston routes and extended the nonstop service to Denver through the summer.
Allegiant has also recently extended flights to now include all of the following:
- Allentown (Lehigh Valley), P.A.
- Asheville, NC
- Belleville, IL / St. Louis, MO
- Boston (Logan), M.A.
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus (Rickenbacker), OH
- Concord / Charlotte, NC
- Des Moines, IA
- Flint, MI
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Harrisburg, PA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Knoxville, TN
- Louisville, KY
- Nashville, TN
- Peoria, IL
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Richmond, VA
- Rockford, IL
- South Bend, IN
- Syracuse, NY
- Washington D.C. / Baltimore, MD
This expansion of services and additional passengers back in motion prompted a job fair for many new roles at the airport in late February, with more roles still needed filling. As we continue to observe so many exciting changes happening, and may even get out for a flight of our own at the airport, look about, and marvel at the new buzz at the airport. In October, they obtained their Airport Health Accreditation for committing to keep passenger safety and health a priority, furth making them an airport you would wish to utilize. Whether your next vacation is right around the corner, or you need to visit a family member shortly – before looking elsewhere for your flight, be sure and check out all the opportunities right here in Sarasota/Manatee county.
Photos courtesy of Pexels