November 19, 2009

Horizon Air has announced it will launch twice-daily direct service from Spokane to Sacramento and San Jose starting March 26, 2010, providing a new link between three vital and growing metropolitan regions.

One daily flight from Spokane will operate nonstop to Sacramento and continue on to San Jose, while a second flight will operate nonstop to San Jose and continue on to Sacramento. The new service also includes a second daily roundtrip between San Jose and Sacramento, facilitating same-day business trips in each direction between the two cities.

"We are delighted that Horizon Air is launching nonstop service to two integral Northern California communities: Sacramento and San Jose," said Neal Sealock, Spokane International Airport director. "Convenient service to these two cities addresses long-sought customer demand. It also fulfills an economic development need to reach these two markets that are global centers of excellence in the technology sector. In an unprecedented era of economic uncertainty, we are grateful for Horizon's confidence and investment in the Spokane market."

The flights will be operated with 76-seat Bombardier Q400s. This high-speed, twin-engine turboprop is one of the most technologically advanced regional aircraft in the world. It's as quiet and comfortable as a jet - thanks to special technology that suppresses noise and vibration, generously sized overhead storage bins, unobstructed under-seat space, and ample headroom (6 feet, 5 inches). The Q400 is also among the most environmentally friendly aircraft today, burning 30 percent to 40 percent less fuel and producing an equally lower amount of emissions (and 10 decibels less noise) than comparable jets.