Now Fly With Wine For Peanuts From Sonoma County

ROHNERT PARK-COTATI, CA — A long-anticipated expansion in North Bay air travel launched today as Southwest Airlines began service to the Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport.

The airline began nonstop service linking Santa Rosa to San Diego, Las Vegas, Denver, and Burbank, expanding options for both leisure and business travelers.

Officials said daily routes to San Diego and Las Vegas will anchor the schedule, including two San Diego roundtrips on peak days, while Burbank will run five days a week and Denver will begin with Saturday-only service.

Airport leaders and community members marked the occasion with an afternoon celebration at the Flying Ace taproom, timed with the inaugural 4 p.m. scheduled arrival from Las Vegas, according to reports. Crews readied the aircraft for a return trip to Las Vegas within the hour.

Southwest announced a new Sip and Ship program, allowing passengers to check one case of wine at no additional cost from select West Coast locations starting later this month. Travelers must pack bottles in standard wine shipping boxes or suitcases that meet checked baggage requirements.

The launch also carried a personal milestone. Captain Marc Hauptman, who piloted the inaugural flight, grew up in Santa Rosa and attended Sonoma State University, according to the Press Democrat.

Southwest executives framed the expansion as both a strategic and experiential investment. Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson said the airline aims to connect travelers more directly to California destinations while enhancing the overall visitor experience.

He said pairing new service with the Sip and Ship program gives customers added convenience and a way to extend their time in Sonoma County beyond the trip itself.