Less SFO, More BBQ And Cowboy Boots: Sonoma County's Airport Adds More Southwest Flights

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Travelers leaving from points farther north may be able to avoid having to drive to San Francisco or Oakland to get flights out of Sonoma County.

Southwest Airlines will expand its footprint at Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport this fall, adding new nonstop service to Austin, Texas.

However, the Dallas-based carrier won't begin Saturday-only seasonal service to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport until Oct. 3, according to reports. But service is also beginning to Burbank, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Denver,

Southwest first announced plans to serve Santa Rosa in September, capping what Airport Manager Jon Stout told the Press Democrat was a 15-year effort to bring the airline to Sonoma County.

The carrier’s arrival comes amid broader changes at Southwest. The airline recently ended its longtime open-seating model, introducing assigned seats and a new “Basic” economy fare with tiered pricing based on seat selection. Along with that came a new policy of requiring passengers who need extra space to buy an additional seat when they book their ticket, or risk paying day-of fare for a second seat.

In March, Southwest also announced an end to the carrier's "two bags fly free" policy for most passengers on flights, a signature feature of the airline for 50 years. Most passengers now pay $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for a second checked piece of luggage. A-List Preferred members and Business Select fares still get two bags free. Rapid Rewards credit cardholders and A-List members receive one free bag.