BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport will support daily nonstop flight service from Baton Rouge to Washington D.C. through American Airlines beginning this summer.
The flights will depart and arrive at both locations geographically around the same time every day, according to an official press release. Fliers will leave Baton Rouge at 5:44 a.m. and arrive in Washington D.C. at Reagan National Airport (DCA) at 9:26 a.m. The flight will return from Washington, departing at 7:45 p.m., and will land in Baton Rouge at 9:29 p.m.
The Embraer 175 jet airplane will include 76 seats with first class, premium economy and economy seating.
“A nonstop flight from Baton Rouge to Washington DC is monumental for our city and region. Connecting the capital of Louisiana with our nation’s capital will bring tourists and businesses directly into Baton Rouge without having to travel through the New Orleans area,” said Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome. “This nonstop flight has been a decade in the making and the Baton Rouge community is ready to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. It will elevate our economic development at home and enhance our impact in the nation’s capital.”
Baton Rouge Metro Airport Director of Aviation Mike Edwards, says it’s important to create a new route because Washington’s airport is “slot-restricted.”
“We are thrilled to be part of the team recruiting a new nonstop flight from BTR to DCA,” said Adam Knapp, Baton Rouge Area Chamber president and CEO. “BRAC has partnered with the Baton Rouge Airport for several years on the project and is happy we could support it crossing the finish line. As Louisiana’s Capital Region, having nonstop service to the US capital just makes sense. Not only will this new flight allow for better business travel, but it is a huge step for connecting our region to another major metro area.”
Tickets for the flight will begin on Saturday, Jan. 28. Flights will begin on June 1.