American Airlines has launched its first nonstop route connecting New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) with Tulsa International Airport (TUL). This announcement was met with a celebration at TUL on November 4th. For the past several years, the airport has seen an average of 110 passengers flying each way between New York and Tulsa via non-direct routes. The airport and airline anticipate the route having sustained demand for the foreseeable future.

Newest route

The TUL to LGA route is the latest addition to TUL's expanding network. The route will be flown once daily aboard an American Eagle Embraer 170. One of American Airlines' contracted regional carriers will operate the regional jet. It will feature a three-class cabin layout offering 65 seats per trip. The limited number of seats will allow American to fill as many seats as possible on every flight, ensuring that the route is profitable.

American Airlines is the most prominent air carrier at TUL. This latest route is the ninth nonstop destination American offers from Tulsa. The airline predicts the route will be very successful while opening a direct route to one of its largest hubs. The route will offer leisure and business travelers convenient access to New York and the airline's expansive network. American Airlines Director of Domestic Network Planning, Philippe Puech, said the following regarding the new route,

"American has a long history in Tulsa and we are thrilled strengthen our commitment to the region by launching new service to New York City. Whether they're traveling for business or leisure, nonstop service to LaGuardia builds on our promise to offer customers the industry's best network – thanks in large part to the Northeast Alliance which allows us to add more frequencies and travel benefits to New York and Boston than ever before."

Airport officials predict the route will fill a demand gap and promote air travel through TUL. The Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Tulsa International Airport, Andrew Pierini, stated,

"New York City is American's sixth new nonstop route added to the Tulsa network in the past three years, and we're grateful for their continued growth and partnership. Tulsa has been buzzing about the new nonstop to LaGuardia since it was announced, and we are excited our passengers can now be in New York City nonstop in just a few hours."

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Growing airport

TUL has been rapidly growing in recent years. It has seen high demand levels following the COVID-19 pandemic and has surpassed 2019 traffic levels. September 2022 traffic numbers were up 107% at TUL compared to September 2019. The airport credits the increase in traffic to the recent additions of several routes.

It now services 27 domestic destinations, many of which have been added this past year, including the TUL to LGA route and a Breeze Airways route connecting TUL to Nashville International Airport (BNA). However, this route is scheduled to be terminated later this month. Despite the one failed route, the airport continues to be serviced by six different airlines and is preparing to receive additional routes in 2023.

What do you think of this new route? Let us know in the comments below.

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  LaGuardia Airport

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  LGA/KLGA

  Country:

  United States

  CEO:

  Stewart Steeves

  Passenger Count :

  8,245,192 (2020)

  Runways :

  04/22 - 2,134m (7,001ft) | 13/31 - 2,135m (7,003ft)

  Terminals:

  Terminal A | Terminal B | Terminal C | Terminal D