Breeze Airways launching passenger flights out of San Bernardino International Airport in August
The first commercial passenger flights out of San Bernardino National Airport are set to take off next week.
Breeze Airways will begin flying a daily nonstop route to San Francisco on Aug. 4, a partnership with the airport the airline announced earlier this year.
Travelers also have the option to stay on the same plane for service to Provo, Utah.
San Bernardino officials have marketed the flights as an alternative, less-hassle option to busier airports.
“The airport team is making final preparations to our terminal and roadway system that will make travel through the airport easy, convenient, and, well, a breeze.” said Mark Gibbs, Director of Aviation for the San Bernardino airport. “Residents and businesses throughout the Inland Empire need more choice in air travel that is closer to home.”
Mainly known for the Amazon Air jets and firefighting planes which leave tire marks on its runway, the airport — also known by its identifier SBD — has maintained a passenger terminal since 2010, but for those traveling on charter flights.
Breeze Airways — which began service last year between 16 cities — will be the first to shuttle passengers from SBD on a continual basis.
Gibbs told the San Bernardino Sun earlier this month the airport had spent $2.5 million on investments in preparation of commercial service including hiring dozens of employees, updating a ticket counter and building out a Transportation Security Administration area.
Rep. Pete Aguilar, congressman for the area, announced last month a roughly $7.1 million Federal Aviation Administration grant would help the airport “increase productivity as they continue to expand their commercial flights.”
FAA data shows the money will be used to rehabilitate the runway and reconstruct taxiways. Hundreds of parking spaces are also available for as little as $5 per day, according to the airport.
One-way fares to SF start at $39 through fall
As for fares, a payment schedule on the Breeze Airways website shows a one-way flight from San Bernardino to San Francisco to cost $39 one-way for most days from August through mid-November. Fees begin to increase around the fourth week of November.
The $39 base fare, or “Nice” option, doesn’t include certain amenities, however, such as the fees for a carry-on bag or checked bag. For a sample weekend flight in October, a carry-on bag would cost $25 and a checked bag $29.
Travelers have the option to upgrade to the “Nicer” option, which for the mentioned sample flight, costs $89. Amenities include the fees for a carry-on bag and checked bag, priority boarding, a seat with extra legroom and a light snack.
Travelers will fly on Embraer E195 aircraft which can seat 118 passengers and feature a two-by-two seating formation, meaning no middle seats.
For more information, go to flysbd.com.
Daily Press reporter Martin Estacio may be reached at 760-955-5358 or MEstacio@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_mestacio.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Breeze Airways adds flights from San Bernardino to San Francisco, Utah
