Five New Nonstop Flights Take Off in Spokane

Five New Nonstop Flights Take Off in Spokane
Opportunities to stimulate business and tourism growth expand

SPOKANE, Wash., June 1, 2017—The Spokane region is taking flight this summer with five new nonstop flights between Spokane International Airport and major cities across the country. Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines have all expanded service to the city.

Southwest has added nonstop service to San Diego and Sacramento, United has added San Francisco and Chicago (O'Hare International Airport), while American has added a Dallas nonstop.

The new flights start this Sunday, June 4, when Southwest Airlines begins daily nonstop service from Spokane International Airport to San Diego. This flight is seasonal and will be available until August 31.

The other new nonstop flights, which are all permanent with year-round availability, are:

• June 8: Spokane to Chicago-O’Hare (United)
• June 8: Spokane to San Francisco (United)
• July 5: Spokane to Sacramento (Southwest)
• August 1: Spokane to Dallas-Fort Worth (American)

The five new additions are a dramatic jump from 11 to 16 nonstop flights to Spokane. Nonstop service is already available to other cities, including Boise, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City and Seattle. 

“Adding these nonstop flights connect the Spokane region to major hubs around the U.S. and provide new opportunities for tourism growth,” said Cheryl Kilday, President & CEO of Visit Spokane. “Making travel to Spokane hassle free makes it easier for people to enjoy our great destination.”

The flights will also make it easier for business and meetings travelers coming to Spokane.

“The connection to major hubs in the Midwest, Southeast and the West is so important because it makes it that much easier for meetings and convention attendees to get here,” said Rob Enriquez, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Visit Spokane. “Once they get to Spokane, they love it. The addition of these flights keep our region's positive momentum going.”

The flights are part of a bigger surge in growth and development in Spokane. The city is undergoing a massive transformation.$800 million has been invested in downtown development over the last several years, including:

• A $60 million project to transform a property into hotel, condo and retail space on the north bank of the Spokane River.
• $19.5 million will turn a downtown hotel property in apartments and retail.
• Spokane’s jewel, Riverfront Park, is undergoing a $64 million renovation.

About Visit Spokane

Visit Spokane generates economic growth for Spokane County by successfully marketing the Spokane region as a preferred destination for conventions and leisure travelers from around the world. Visitors to Spokane County spent an estimated $995 million in 2016, providing jobs for more than 10,000 residents in the region.*

*Figures provided by Dean Runyan Associates report for the year ending 2016.