Major airline returns to Carlsbad – American Airlines plans flights to Phoenix

North County residents looking to travel to Arizona will have a new option starting next year.

American Airlines will add two daily flights between McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport starting February 13.

Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines, will operate the flights.

“American looks forward to connecting Carlsbad to our extensive global network beginning in February of next year. This new service will provide convenient one-stop connections to destinations throughout the United States and Mexico, while allowing travelers from around the world to see all that Carlsbad has to offer,” the airline confirmed in an emailed statement.

CBS5 News and the San Diego Union-Tribune first reported details of the Carlsbad-Phoenix service. Travel website thepointsguy.com also reported that passengers will board the 76-seat Embraer 175, which will feature 12 first class seats, 20 with extra legroom and 44 in regular economy.

American Airlines also flies to the region from San Diego International Airport and, since earlier this year, from Tijuana International Airport.

Phoenix is ​​one of the airline’s major hubs, along with Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami and New York.

McClellan, an airport in San Diego County, was previously home to American Airlines, starting in 1991. American Eagle initially flew from Carlsbad to Los Angeles, but stopped flying six years later.

Despite opening a new terminal in 2009, McClellan lost service to yet another airline in 2015, when United Express discontinued a route to Los Angeles.

Currently there is a public charter airline, JSX, operating out of McClellan.