Edhat StaffStarting on Sunday, August 27, Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) officially announces that Alaska Airlines will begin 737 direct flight service to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The flight departs daily from Santa Barbara’s “easy come, easy go” airport at 3:35 pm with fares in September that start as low as $114 each way. The Seattle route marks the first time Alaska has served SBA with a Boeing aircraft since the carrier began service in 2003.
To mark the occasion, SBA will launch a promotion of the 737 Seattle flight (highlighting the 83 additional seats offered by the Boeing aircraft) with Alaska Airlines offering two free round-trip tickets to Santa Barbara residents.
“Within a few short hours, Santa Barbara residents can pop over to the Pacific Northwest’s ‘Emerald City,’ stated Deanna Zachrisson, spokesperson for SBA. “Fall is a wonderful time to explore Seattle’s changing seasons, dynamic food culture, abundance of outdoor activities and local hot spots like the Pike Place Market,” added Zachrisson.
The increased load capacity offered by Alaska Airlines continues a trajectory that started in July 2016 with the addition of Airbus 319 service to Dallas (DFW) on American Airlines, and this summer when United Airlines added the Airbus 319 and 320 aircraft on departures to San Francisco (SFO) and Denver (DEN) — the first “mainline” aircraft to serve SBA by United since 2001.
“The passenger demand is here in Santa Barbara and our carriers are recognizing the truly different departure experience we offer compared to larger airports,” added Zachrisson. “Not only is SBA one of the easiest and most convenient outbound airports in the region, we continue to build upon capacity, travel and pricing options for local residents.”
Overall, SBA is on track increase passenger capacity in 2017 by more than 10% over an already banner year in 2016.
About Santa Barbara Airport
Santa Barbara Airport served nearly 700,000 passengers in 2016 and is the 13th largest airport in California. SBA’s architecturally-praised and LEED certified new airline terminal opened in 2011 and features state-of-the-art amenities and efficient passenger security screening. The Airport is served by American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines with 22 daily departures to seven non-stop destinations – Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle. The Airport resides on the site of a former World War II Marine Air Station, next to the Pacific Ocean and the University of California at Santa Barbara, and is conveniently located just 7 miles west of downtown Santa Barbara. SBA is a self-sustaining enterprise operated by the City of Santa Barbara.
