10 new routes will connect Phoenix Sky Harbor to new destinations this year

Arizona travelers might be thinking about a beach getaway this fall. Or a ski trip when the weather cools down. Or traveling on the first of two upcoming routes establishing direct service to Asia to Taipei, Taiwan.

And thanks to 10 new routes airlines are adding out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport before 2025 wraps up, those trips will be even easier.

The 10 new routes to and from Phoenix — one that began flying and nine that were recently announced — will expand connections to favorite vacation spots and add service to new cities. And in the case of Taipei, a new continent.

Here’s what air travelers should know about the new and upcoming Sky Harbor direct flight options.

Aug. 20: San Diego via Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines recently expanded its service out of San Diego International Airport with a 30% increase in flights and three new routes, including Phoenix. The airline began its new Phoenix-San Diego route on Aug. 20.

Alaska joined American, Southwest and Frontier airlines to become the fourth airline to fly nonstop between Phoenix and San Diego.

San Diego is a popular getaway spot for Arizonans because it’s one of the closest U.S. cities with a beach. It’s a little more than a one-hour flying distance, or about a 5½-hour drive. La Jolla Cove and Mission Beach are among the top spots for swimming, surfing, sunsets and spotting wildlife like sea lions and dolphins.

Other top experiences in the city include the San Diego Zoo, home to more than 12,000 animals across 680 species including the first giant pandas to enter the U.S. in 21 years; and SeaWorld San Diego, one of the 10 most popular theme parks with Arizonans.

Oct. 6: Little Rock, Arkansas via American Airlines

American Airlines plans to launch a route between Phoenix and Little Rock, Arkansas, to offer greater connections to Western gateways. The route will begin on Oct. 6.

Little Rock is known for its presidential and civil rights history. Former president and Arkansas governor Bill Clinton’s presidential library is in Little Rock. So is the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, a landmark of desegregation of public schools.

Oct. 10: San Antonio via Frontier Airlines

Ultra-low-cost Frontier Airlines’ coast-to-coast expansion for fall 2025 includes a new Phoenix-San Antonio flight, which begins Oct. 10. It will be one of two new Frontier routes connecting Arizona and Texas; the airline will also fly from Tucson to Dallas.

It builds on earlier network expansions this year, which included new routes from Phoenix to Austin, Texas, in March and Everett, Washington, in June.

San Antonio is famous as one of the oldest Spanish settlements in Texas. The Alamo, the site of a legendary 1836 battle in the Texas Revolution, preserves the historic mission and the 300-year-old Long Barrack, the site’s oldest building.

The Alamo is about a half-mile from the San Antonio River Walk, a 15-mile city park, shopping and dining district that includes river cruises and guided tours.

Oct. 16: Santa Maria, California via American Airlines

American Airlines will bolster its connectivity between Phoenix and California with a route to a new city: Santa Maria, located in the Central Coast region.

The new twice-daily Phoenix-Santa Maria flights will begin Oct. 16.

Like northern California’s famous Napa and Sonoma valleys, Santa Maria is best known for its wineries. The Santa Maria Valley has at least 30 tasting rooms.

Nearby San Luis Obispo, the halfway point between San Francisco and Los Angeles, is about 32 miles from Santa Maria and is a popular side trip for its beaches and the Hearst Castle. Also worth visiting is Solvang, about 36 miles away, famous for its Danish-style architecture.

Nov. 20: Fort Myers, Florida via American Airlines

American’s Phoenix-Fort Myers route will run on a seasonal basis during the Thanksgiving and winter holiday periods. Flights are scheduled from Nov. 20-Dec. 3 and Dec. 18-Jan. 6, 2026.

The southwest Florida city is known for its soft, white-sand beaches, including 7 miles of beaches along Estero Island on Fort Myers Beach and nearby Sanibel Island and Captiva Island.

Nov. 22: Reno, Nevada via Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines added a route from Phoenix to Reno, Nevada, as part of a nationwide 22-route expansion. The twice-weekly route will debut on Nov. 22.

Reno calls itself “The Biggest Little City in the World” because of its small-town feel despite its casinos and entertainment.

Popular attractions in Reno include the National Automobile Museum, which houses more than 200 classic and vintage cars, and the Truckee River Walk, a scenic walk along the water with cafes and shops along the route. The city is also a gateway to Lake Tahoe, about 40 miles away, which is popular for its beaches, ski resorts and hiking and biking trails.

Nov. 23: Spokane, Washington via Frontier Airlines

A day after Frontier’s Phoenix-Reno route launches, the airline will begin flights to another Western city from Phoenix: Spokane, Washington.

Spokane’s tourism bureau highlights the city that edges along the border of Washington and Idaho for blending downtown charm with outdoor adventure. Parks and trails comprise the highest-rated Spokane attractions on Tripadvisor; the most popular is Manito Park, famed for its five gardens.

Spokane is about 34 miles from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a resort town built around its eponymous 25-mile-long lake. Besides its outdoor activities, it’s popular for golf, wellness spas and arts scene.

Dec. 3: Taipei, Taiwan via China Airlines

China Airlines will offer new flights from Phoenix to Asia in December when it begins a partially nonstop route to Taipei, Taiwan via Taoyuan Airport. (The first fully nonstop route to Asia, Taipei via Starlux Airlines, is scheduled to launch less than two months later.)

The new Taipei flights are coming in part because China Airlines and Starlux both see promising business travel demand from metro Phoenix’s semiconductor manufacturing industry, anchored by the massive Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. plant in north Phoenix.

Dec. 18: Florida routes via American Airlines

Starting Dec. 18, American will expand service between Phoenix and Florida, launching a new route in a South Florida city and adding flights to and from two other Florida cities.

The new route offers once-daily service to Fort Lauderdale, popular with travelers for its beaches, upscale shopping and cruise ship port.

American will also increase its number of daily flights to two other cities, operating seven flights per day to Miami and three flights per day to Tampa.

Dec. 18: Sun Valley, Idaho via American Airlines

Sun Valley, Idaho is a new destination for Sky Harbor, connecting Arizonans with one of Idaho’s most famous ski resorts. The seasonal flights begin Dec. 18 and continue through April 6, 2026.

Sun Valley Resort has two ski mountains: Bald Mountain, which has 3,400 vertical feet of terrain and was named by USA TODAY readers as the nation’s best snowboarding destination in 2023; and Dollar Mountain — notable as the home of the world’s first chairlift — which has several ski slopes ideal for beginners. Both mountains offer mountain biking during the summer months.

Outdoor recreation outside of skiing is abundant, too, with the nearby Sawtooth Mountain Range offering views of rugged alpine landscapes and a chance to see wildlife like mountain goats and bighorn sheep.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 10 new routes will connect Phoenix Sky Harbor to new destinations this year

Reporting by Michael Salerno, Arizona Republic / Arizona Republic

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