An interesting development is reported by the Sacramento Business News. Surf Air, a private membership airline headquartered in Santa Monica and flying out of the old McClellan AFB, is flying round-trips between Santa Rosa, Hawthorne and San Carlos beginning next month, and will add service between Monterey and Hawthorne and San Carlos in July. On August 24, they’ll begin round-trips between McClellan and Hawthorne, San Carlos and Santa Barbara. Then in November they’re adding service between Palm Springs and Burbank and Oakland.
A private airline? Affordable?? Well, maybe. Surf Air’s customers pay a flat monthly fee starting at $1750 for membership and unlimited flights. If you’re doomed to fly more than three or four times a month, it starts looking downright reasonable. Add in the sheer pleasure of not having to deal with the major airlines and…well, I’d sure like to try it.
In another development, Pen Air, which is supposed to start service beween Crescent City and Portland later this year, is making nice with the Redding airport folks and has been heard to say they are interested in flying out of AVC. We’ll see. Stay tuned.
END
With direct air service coming by mid September to Portland I wonder if connections will be easier in that airport than in San Francisco. At the very least there will not be the fog delays in Portland so air travel to other points should be less stressful. Another benefit for Humboldt County residents is that parking at the Crescent City airport is free and will remain so. And one can get a look at the St George Lighthouse close up!
All true, all true!
SeaPort and Surf Air both use a single engine turboprop. The PenAir aircraft are from the same era as the EMB-120 that SkyWest is parking.
Surf Air is definitely for those who don’t mind a small plane!