COLUMBIA, S.C. — Frequent fliers rejoice: American Airlines is bringing back nonstop flights between Columbia and New York.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) announced on Friday that American Airlines would be restarting nonstop service to LaGuardia Airport and travelers can book flights as soon as Saturday (Dec. 10).
That said, these flights won't officially take to the skies until May 5, 2023. So, travelers have some lead time to plan their trips. Kim Crafton, the director of marketing and air service development at CAE said the return of this particular service is significant.
"The return of this nonstop service is the last route needed to reestablish CAE’s nonstop destination roster to its pre-pandemic status,” she said.
The flight is expected to depart at 4:40 p.m. and arrive at LaGuardia at 6:40 p.m. and rejoins the airport's other non-stop route provider for fliers heading to the Empire State - Delta Air Lines.
Crafton said the aircraft that will likely be used for the route will have between 65 and 76 seats split into business and economy class.
“American Airlines is excited to restart service between Columbia Metropolitan Airport and New York LaGuardia Airport in May,” American Airlines Director of Domestic Network Planning Philippe Puech said in a statement provided by CAE.
The airport, through its airline partners, also offers nonstop service to Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, and Washington.