Delta adds – Delta will begin nonstop service to Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa from its Salt Lake City hub starting Oct. 6, joining a growing field of airlines expanding into Northern California’s wine country.
On a map, it’s a small airport in Santa Rosa. In travelers’ plans, Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) is about to get a major new player.
Delta Air Lines has filed plans to launch nonstop service to STS from its hub at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). The change was first spotted in Cirium and confirmed by an airline spokesperson, with the new flights set to begin Oct. 6.
For SkyMiles loyalists, the route is an all-new airport connection for the carrier. It also adds another California option in the Bay Area orbit—one aimed at travelers looking for easy access to Sonoma and Napa.
The move arrives as competition around STS continues to intensify. In recent months, Southwest Airlines has launched service from STS, and Alaska Airlines has bolstered its flight offerings there. Now Delta is joining that wave.
ST S is positioned in the heart of Sonoma County wine country. It sits about an hour’s drive from downtown Napa. though many of the most popular Napa vineyards in the northern valley are reportedly far closer. Compared with larger Bay Area hubs such as San Francisco International Airport (SFO). travelers can expect a smaller. quieter airport experience at STS—and. once they leave the terminal. a lower chance of traffic.
The airport’s growth momentum is visible in the numbers too. Cirium data indicates total departures at STS this year are set to increase nearly 40% from last year. That expansion is happening even after budget carrier Avelo Airlines pulled out of Sonoma last summer.
Delta will operate the SLC-to-Santa Rosa route with a Delta Connection Embraer 175 regional jet. The aircraft is configured with 12 first-class recliners and 20 extra-legroom Comfort seats in the front of the main cabin.
Put together, the picture is clear: as departures at STS rise and multiple carriers add service, Delta’s Oct. 6 start turns a once-limited route map into something closer to a real choice set for people heading into Sonoma and Napa.
Delta STS Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport Salt Lake City International Airport Santa Rosa flights Sonoma wine country Napa SkyMiles Delta Connection Embraer 175 airline route expansion Cirium
So they’re flying to STS… is that the airport by Napa or like, another one? Sounds like a wine trip hack tho.
Honestly Delta doing SLC to Santa Rosa is fine, but if it’s a smaller airport then why do they make it sound like it’s “better than SFO” lol. Also 40% more departures doesn’t mean anything to me if prices go up.
Wait I thought Avelo pulled out so that means Delta should cancel too? Like if one airline leaves, the whole thing fails. But whatever, I guess there’s demand for the comfort seats or whatever. October 6 is random.
Bout time Delta shows up. STS has been kinda empty for years from what I remember. If it’s an Embraer 175 with first class recliners then maybe my parents will stop driving to San Jose or whatever. Still seems weird because they say traffic less chance… but isn’t Santa Rosa always traffic too?