Nonstop flights to Philadelphia on major airline to become daily

SARASOTA — American Airlines announced it will increase the frequency of nonstop flights from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport to Philadelphia International Airport.

The Philadelphia service is currently offered on weekends only but will change to daily starting Dec. 18, according to a press release. The service will be provided using Embraer 175 aircraft.

The nonstop Philadelphia service started Jan. 12 and was one of three new destinations
offered this past season by American Airlines. The other two destinations added were Dallas-Ft. Worth and Chicago. The new destinations were added to complement existing daily service to Charlotte, N.C., and Washington, D.C., the release adds.

For next year’s 2019-20 peak season, American Airlines plans to provide daily service to all five of its
destinations served from SRQ including Charlotte, N.C.; Washington, D.C.; Dallas-Ft. Worth; Chicago; and Philadelphia.

“We are excited to see American Airlines continue to increase service at SRQ," says Sarasota Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo in a statement. "For the first four months of this year, passenger traffic on American Airlines increased from 81,262 passengers to 128,505 passengers, a 58% increase over the first four months of 2018. With more destination choices, added frequency of flights and larger aircraft being utilized like the Airbus A319 and A320, we have seen American Airlines grow substantially at SRQ over the past year. We look forward to seeing continued growth as both the local community and visitors benefit from the increase in service."