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DOT approves new long-distance flights from Reagan National

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DOT approves new long-distance flights from Reagan National
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Andrea M. Rotondo Director of content operations | The Points Guy

Five new long-distance domestic flights are set to launch from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The U.S. Department of Transportation has given tentative approval for these routes after extensive discussions among airlines and lawmakers.

The approved routes include American Airlines flying nonstop from DCA to San Antonio International Airport, Alaska Airlines to San Diego International Airport, Delta Air Lines to Seattle Tacoma International Airport, Southwest Airlines to Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport, and United Airlines adding a second daily nonstop flight to San Francisco International Airport.

Reagan National is the closest airport to downtown Washington, making it a highly desirable location for airlines. However, due to space limitations, the Department of Transportation enforces rules that generally prohibit flights beyond 1,250 statute miles. Congress has occasionally allowed exceptions through "beyond perimeter exemptions," permitting certain long-distance routes.

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In May, Congress directed the DOT to allocate five additional slot pairs at Reagan National. This decision faced opposition from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and regional lawmakers who argued that nearby airports like Dulles International and Baltimore/Washington International were better suited for expansion.

The DOT's criteria for awarding these slots focused on promoting competition and enhancing connectivity on underserved routes. Seven airlines applied for the slots; however, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue did not receive approvals.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg expressed optimism about the new route: "Today marks a significant milestone for San Antonio as we get one step closer to securing a nonstop flight between SAT and DCA."

The DOT's announcement is still tentative but has already been welcomed by the cities and airlines involved.

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