Dallas-based low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines will restart nonstop service between Oakland, California, and Baltimore, Maryland. Oakland International Airport (OAK) confirmed on Friday that flights would relaunch this fall.
The news comes as Southwest is adding more flights on its popular Oakland to Nashville route. Flights to both destinations are reportedly available on the airline’s website.
Nonstop returns
Beginning September 5, 2023, Southwest will once again fly nonstop between Oakland International Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Flights will operate daily on the carrier’s fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that have a seating capacity of 175 passengers.
BWI Airport is the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area and is located nine miles south of Baltimore and 32 miles northeast of Washington, DC, according to OAK. The Baltimore-Washington metro area is reportedly included in the top 10 busiest travel routes for the Bay Area frequently. Nearly 4,600 passengers traveled between the two coastal regions every day in 2019.
Here is a breakdown of the flights between Oakland and Baltimore:
Baltimore (BWI) | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|
Eastbound – Daily | Depart OAK 11:10 | Arrive BWI 19:20 |
Westbound – Daily | Depart BWI 10:05 | Arrive OAK 12:50 |
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Adding more flights to Nashville
Along with the relaunched service to Baltimore, Southwest announced that they would increase the frequency of flights between OAK and Nashville International Airport (BNA). The carrier confirmed to OAK that flights would be up to five times weekly and operate daily, excluding Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in September.
According to OAK airport, Nashville is a popular and often requested destination by OAK passengers. Baltimore, Nashville, and Oakland offer excellent connectivity to other destinations across Southwest’s extensive network.
Bryant L. Francis, Director of Aviation at the Port of Oakland, spoke about the relaunched service and adding frequencies to Nashville.
“Oakland International Airport is proud to announce the addition of these key transcontinental flights. Both destinations are in high demand here in the Bay Area across both leisure and business markets. We encourage the traveling public to Fly the East Bay Way when visiting these exciting destinations.” - Bryant L. Francis, Director of Aviation at the Port of Oakland
Here is a breakdown of the BNA flights:
Nashville (BNA) | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|
Eastbound – Daily (except Tue./Wed.) | Depart OAK 10:20 | Arrive BNA 16:40 |
Westbound – Daily (except Tue./Wed.) | Depart BNA 13:25 | Arrive OAK 16:00 |
Making it sustainable
OAK airport said the new flights will be powered via Southwest Airlines’ sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) program that was introduced at the airport last year. The program made the airport the third in the country to have SAF incorporated into daily US airline operations.
The initiative is also part of Southwest’s goal to replace 10% of total jet fuel consumption with SAF by 2030 and a long-term goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The new fuel being used is reportedly made from renewable and sustainably sourced raw materials, including used cooking oil and animal waste fat.
According to OAK Airport, Southwest Airlines has its largest California operation at OAK and is the airport’s busiest passenger carrier. The new and added flights provide Bay Area travelers with over 246 peak-day flights between 34 destinations across the US, including Hawaii and Mexico.
The last time that OAK had daily nonstop service to Baltimore was in December 2020.
Source: Oakland International Airport