DALLAS—Southwest Airlines Co. has launched new service at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa, Calif., expanding its footprint in the state while introducing a wine-focused perk for travelers.
The airline has already begun its new Santa Rosa service, and plans to roll out its Sip and Ship™ program starting April 24, allowing customers departing from select West Coast locations to check one case of wine at no additional cost.
“We’re excited to open the door to more of California’s incredible destinations, especially the stunning wine region of Sonoma County, as we add our 14th airport to our already best-in-industry intra-California service,” says Andrew Watterson, COO of Southwest Airlines®. “By adding service to Sonoma County Airport and launching Sip and Ship™, we’re offering our customers even more convenience and an opportunity to continue sipping and savoring their time in wine country.”
The new Santa Rosa service includes nonstop flights to San Diego and Burbank, Las Vegas, and Denver. Routes to San Diego and Las Vegas are operating daily, with additional San Diego roundtrips on peak travel days. Service to Burbank is scheduled five days a week, while Denver flights will initially operate on Saturdays.
Under the Sip and Ship™ program, travelers can check a standard case of wine as part of their luggage, provided it is packed in an approved wine shipping box or suitcase that meets checked baggage requirements.
The launch is part of Southwest’s broader network expansion, which includes recently added or upcoming destinations, such as Knoxville, Tenn.; Anchorage, Alaska; St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and St. Maarten.
The new service and wine program are designed to enhance convenience and offer travelers a more seamless experience when visiting wine regions.
