American Airlines adds direct flights from Milwaukee to DC

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- American Airlines is the latest airline to expand services at Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport.

The airline added direct flights to and from Washington, D.C., starting Thursday, Oct. 5.

The inaugural flight took off just before 1:30 p.m.

Airport officials expect the route will be in demand next summer.

"This is perfect timing for Milwaukee, for Wisconsin of course, in advance of the Republican National Convention," said director of air service development, Pat Rowe.

American will have two nonstops to D.C. per day, joining Southwest as the only airlines with direct flights there from Milwaukee.

It's another way for Mitchell International to incentivize local travel, rather than flying out of Chicago.

Direct flights are especially convenient for passengers like Lucy Spoerk, who recently broke her ankle.

"I don't get around very well, so having a nonstop is just wonderful, it's key," Spoerk said before boarding the inaugural flight to D.C. on Thursday.

Airport officials hope to add more direct flights across the country.

Rowe said the more people travel from Mitchell Airport, the more interest airlines have.

"Airlines add flights where passengers are boarding flights," Rowe said. "It encourages even more nonstop air service out of Milwaukee."

As airlines continue to recover from pandemic-related issues, airport leaders expect to see more expansion, especially to the west coast.

"Los Angeles and San Francisco are probably our highest unserved markets right now, and we talk to airlines a lot about other cities as well," Rowe said.