Sonoma County officially welcomed Southwest Airlines Tuesday as its inaugural flight from Las Vegas touched down at Charles M. Schulz Airport.
According to the Press Democrat, the celebration featured a ribbon-cutting with local leaders and a costumed Snoopy, marking the start of new nonstop service to Burbank, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Denver. For the flight crew, the day was personal, as both pilots are Sonoma County locals who lobbied to fly the historic first leg.
Local tourism officials expect the expansion to provide a massive boost to the economy by connecting the North Bay to East Coast and international travelers. Residents say the new options make the local airport a far more convenient choice than commuting to San Francisco or Oakland.
It’s a major win for regional travel that aims to make Sonoma County more accessible than ever.
