Central Coast airport is adding flights to 2 major cities in 2026. Here’s where
The Santa Barbara Airport is adding a flurry of new flights in 2026 — and ending service to one destination.
Once the changes take effect, the Central Coast airport will serve as a hub for five airlines, offering 26 daily flights to 13 nonstop destinations.
Here’s how air travel is changing in Santa Barbara this year:
Santa Barbara airport adds direct flight to Chicago
United Airlines will begin offering daily direct flights from Santa Barbara to Chicago O’Hare International Airport beginning on Monday, April 6.
United Airlines previously offered seasonal service from Santa Barbara to Chicago during the summers of 2021 and 2022, according to a news release from the Santa Barbara Airport.
“This destination adds another key hub to the SBA network, expanding connectivity and providing travelers with access to hundreds of cities across the globe,” the release said.
One-way plane tickets start at $274.
When do nonstop flights to San Diego start?
Santa Barbara Airport will also begin offering nonstop flights to San Diego International Airport starting this spring.
Alaska Airlines will launch direct daily service from Santa Barbara to San Diego on Wednesday, April 22, while Southwest Airlines will begin daily flights to the Southern California city on Tuesday, Aug. 4, according to the release.
“Through San Diego International Airport, Santa Barbara travelers will have access to numerous destinations, including Hawaii, Mexico, and Europe,” the airport said.
Alaska Airlines previously offered flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego in 2021 and 2022, according to the release.
How cheap are San Diego plane ticket prices?
Prices for one-way flights from Santa Barbara to San Diego start at $79, according to Google Flights.
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Can I fly direct to San Francisco? Salt Lake City?
Travelers will soon have even more flight options at the Santa Barbara Airport.
In February, United Airlines will add a fifth daily direct flight from Santa Barbara to San Francisco International Airport, the airport said.
Alaska Airlines will offer a second daily nonstop flight from Santa Barbara to Portland, Oregon, starting in May, according to the airport release.
Delta Air Lines will also increase direct flights to Salt Lake City from Santa Barbara to three departures per day.
When do direct flights to Atlanta end?
Delta will soon cease nonstop service from Santa Barbara to Atlanta.
Starting Wednesday, Jan. 21, the Santa Barbara Airport will no longer offer any direct flights to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to the release.
