Orlando Melbourne International Airport to get nonstop flights to Washington, D.C.
Wayne T. PriceAmerican Airlines says it will begin nonstop flights from Orlando Melbourne International Airport to Reagan National Airport in metro Washington, D.C., next spring.
The twice weekly flights begin May 4, 2019, and will continue at least through Labor Day.
Seats go on sale at AA.com Monday night.
The Saturday flights to Washington, D.C., leave Melbourne at 11:45 a.m. and arrive in Washington about 2 p.m. Flights leave Washington at 8:45 a.m. and arrive in Melbourne at 11:06 a.m.
Sunday flights leave Reagan National at 9 a.m., arriving in Melbourne at 11:18 a.m.; with flights leaving Melbourne at 11:48 a.m., arriving in Washington, D.C., just before 2 p.m.
The announcement comes just weeks after American announced nonstop flights to Philadelphia, which begin Feb 16.
Reagan National is located in Arlington, Virginia, and because of its location is popular with lawmakers and others doing business in the nation's capital.
More:Orlando Melbourne airport gets $4 million state grant for jet facility
High honor:Orlando Melbourne airport one of the world's most scenic approaches
Artistic memorial:Fallen Thunderbirds pilot honored on Melbourne airport ramp
“Nonstop air service was on the top of our Christmas wish list,” Greg Donovan, executive director of Orlando Melbourne International, said in a statement.
“Our team has worked hard yearround to spotlight our growth and need for air service. Accompanying the increase in tourism, KSC launches and business expansions, discretionary income is on the rise in the region surrounding Orlando Melbourne. Air service is catching up to our area’s growth, and we couldn’t be more pleased.”
The last scheduled nonstop flight from Melbourne to Reagan National — formerly called Washington National Airport — was in 1999 by Spirit Airlines.
Check back for updates to this breaking story.
Price is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY.
Contact Price at 321-242-3658
or wprice@floridatoday.com.
Twitter: @Fla2dayBiz
Support local journalism: Subscribe to FLORIDA TODAY at floridatoday.com/subscribe.