Tucson, Arizona (September 3, 2024) —Southwest Airlines is launching a new nonstop service between Tucson International Airport (TUS) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Flights will begin on Saturday, March 8, 2025, and operate on weekends.
With both Southwest and Alaska Airlines offering nonstop flights to Tucson, travelers now have more options for their desert getaway. According to The Sacramento Bee, Southwest will begin accepting reservations for these flights through April 7, bringing additional connectivity on Saturdays and Sundays. On the other hand, Alaska Airlines will provide direct Tucson flights daily between January 6 and April 21, catering to the winter travel rush.
Tucson Airport Authority (TAA) President/CEO Danette Bewley says, “The TAA continues to work to attract new air service to our Southern Arizona community. We are delighted that TUS and SMF will now be served with nonstop flights on both Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines this spring.”
Southwest's route addition marks at least the fifth new direct service announced out of Sacramento International Airport this year. In an ongoing effort to broaden its direct services, Alaska Airlines revealed last month that it, too, would start nonstop flights out of Sacramento to four new destinations, including Tucson, Puerto Vallarta, and San Jose del Cabo in Mexico, along with Orlando, Florida. This development reflects an increasing trend for airlines to expand their reach, offering passengers more direct and convenient travel opportunities.
As the months grow colder and vacation plans begin to take shape, Sacramento locals can now consider a sun-soaked escape to the Sonoran Desert with greater ease.
The added routes offer considerable ease for Sacramento residents planning their next trip, symbolizing the growing network and competitiveness among airlines operating out of Sacramento International Airport. Whether seeking the dry heat of Arizona or the oceanic allure of Mexico, the expanded services provide a breadth of choice, reflecting the airlines' responsiveness to consumer travel trends and preferences.
Tucson International Airport is poised to serve nearly 4 million passengers in 2024, with March being its busiest month since 2008.
Southwest’s TUS-SMF service can be booked through Southwest.com or at Flytucson.com.