The Inaugural flight of American Eagle's new daily, non-stop service between Los Angeles and Santa Fe took off from the city's municipal airport on November 19, 2009 becoming the third daily flight now serving the city. The Los Angeles service was joined by a second daily flight from Dallas to Santa Fe that also began service on 11/19. The two new flights are in addition to the first daily Dallas to Santa Fe flight that began serving the city in mid-June.
A large group of local business people, tourism representatives, and government dignitaries was at the airport for the departure, including New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and the first person to board the new flight, actress and Northern New Mexico resident, Shirley MacClaine. "I really love this flight," MacClaine told the crowd.
The new Los Angeles flight is expected to bring both visitors and film industry workers to Santa Fe as New Mexico continues to be one of the country's top states for movie production. Currently a promotional $99 one-way fare is in place for the Santa Fe to Los Angeles service. No other fare information was available for the LAX service.
Daily Schedule Los Angeles-Santa Fe Beginning November 19
Flight 3156 departs Los Angeles 12:20 PM, arrives Santa Fe 3:15 PM
Flight 3157 departs Santa Fe 2:45 PM, arrives Los Angeles 3:55 PM
Daily Schedule Dallas-Fort Worth to Santa Fe
Flight 3572, departs Dallas/Forth Worth 10:55 AM, arrives Santa Fe 11:45 AM
Flight 3544, departs Santa Fe 12:15 PM, arrives Dallas/Forth Worth 2:50 PM
Daily Schedule Dallas-Ft. Worth-Santa Fe Beginning November 19
Flight 2849 departs Dallas-Ft. Worth 1:25 PM, arrives Santa Fe 2:15 PM
Flight 2850 departs Santa Fe 3:45 PM, arrive Dallas-Ft. Worth 6:25 PM
American Eagle's non-stop service to and from Santa Fe uses the 44-seat Embraer ERJ-140 jet. The $20 million aircraft cruises at 500+ mph and 40,000 feet. It is, "one of the newest and most modern planes in the fleet," according to American Eagle's Managing Director of Sales, Brian Coutts.
The Santa Fe Municipal Airport was recently upgraded to handle regional jets like the Embraer and was voted "Airport of the Year" by the New Mexico Airport Managers Association in 2009. The airport is located on the southwestern edge of the city, about a 20-minute shuttle ride into historic downtown. Rental cars are also available.