Dane Country Regional Airport announced new nonstop flights returning this winter, in a social media post earlier this month.
New seasonal destinations include Fort Myers on Sun Country Airlines and Miami on American Airlines. Sun Country Airlines will also offer direct service to Phoenix, on top of American Airline’s year-round nonstop Phoenix flights.
“American and Sun Country’s commitment to adding nonstop destinations reflects the strong demand from our community. We’re proud of our partnerships with these airlines and the stress-free experience Madison travelers enjoy,” Airport Director Mark Papko said in a press release.
Sun Country and American Airlines operated the same three routes last year in the winter months.
“[The routes] were successful, flights were full, demand was there, so it made sense for them to return for the winter season this year,” Airport Director of Air Service Development Tomasz Pajor told The Daily Cardinal.
The news of new seasonal destinations was shared on the r/madisonwi reddit thread, and many users were disappointed by the flight offerings. Users said they wished there were more seasonal direct flights outside of Florida to destinations like Boston, Seattle, San Francisco and Las Vegas.
“Really miss [direct flights] to SEA. It was a good summer while it lasted. Felt like magic not going through Denver or O’Hare with inevitable delays,” one user said. “The connecting flight costs from the hubs cost more than the long flights.”
Nevertheless, Pajor said Dane County Regional Airport’s seasonal destinations remain popular with students.
“During the winter months and spring break, the UW student population does compile a lot of our flight passengers,” Pajor said.
Tickets are currently available for purchase, with direct service on Sun Country Airlines to Fort Myers and Phoenix scheduled to begin on Oct. 23 and direct service on American Airlines to Miami scheduled to begin on Nov. 8.
“[The seasonal flights] are a great addition to our regular flights and for students to escape the weather to sun-filled states and warm weather,” Pajor said. “Especially during spring break, students can take a break from school work and escape to destinations like Fort Myers and Miami.”
Dane County Regional Airport offers nonstop flights to 17 domestic cities, including Fort Myers, Miami and Phoenix, via six airlines: American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Sun Country and United.
