United Airlines to begin service to San Francisco from Sonoma County airport

United Airlines is coming back to Sonoma County this summer after a 16-year absence with three daily departures to San Francisco International Airport and its connections around the globe, officials announced Monday.

The news falls short of the hoped-for direct shot to United’s hub in Denver. Still, by flying from Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport to San Francisco, local travelers can avoid the hassle and expense of driving to the city and parking at the airport there.

“Business and leisure travelers now have conveniently timed flights to San Francisco and multiple opportunities to connect passengers to other cities throughout the Western U.S. and beyond,” Anthony Toth, United’s managing director of sales, said Monday in a statement.

United said the flights, which begin June 8, will include three daily departures at 6 a.m., 2:05 p.m. and 5:20 p.m.

Arrivals are scheduled for 1:30 p.m., 4:40 p.m., and 11:15 p.m.

Passengers will fly on a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-200 jet. The flights will be operated as United Express by Skywest Airlines.

Airport officials said the flights will be 40 to 45-minutes long, gate to gate. Passengers boarding in Sonoma County won’t have to re-check bags or go through another security screening in San Francisco.

United’s online reservation site on Monday advertised a Thursday-through-Sunday flight from Sonoma County to Denver in June for $484 round-trip. That includes the connection through San Francisco.

By comparison, a direct, round-trip flight on United from San Francisco to Denver over the same period in June was advertised for $321.

That’s excluding checked bag fees, which start at $25 per bag.

United discontinued similar service to San Francisco from Sonoma County in 2001.

The airline will become the fourth major carrier offering service out of Sonoma County, joining Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Allegiant Airlines.

You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 707-521-5336 or derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @deadlinederek.