Alaska Airlines just made your next trip to Sonoma wine country significantly easier. On May 8, 2026, the carrier confirmed it will launch three new nonstop routes from Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) starting November 2026, and after a multi-year hiatus, it’s returning to Long Beach Airport (LGB). For anyone planning a fall harvest trip or a winter weekend getaway, this changes the calculus on how you get to California’s best Pinot country.
The new routes connect Santa Rosa to Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Boise. That means travelers from the Mountain West and Southwest can now skip the slog through San Francisco or Oakland entirely. Add in the return to Long Beach, and you’ve got a network that finally treats Sonoma like a real destination rather than a suburban afterthought.
Photo by Rebecca Burton on Unsplash
The Three New Sonoma Routes: What You’re Getting
Alaska isn’t messing around with small regional props. All three new routes will be operated by the Embraer 175, which means no middle seats. Every passenger gets either a window or an aisle. That might sound like a minor detail, but on a two-hour flight, it makes a real difference.
Here’s the breakdown of what’s launching in November 2026:
| Route | Airport Code | Frequency | Aircraft | Approx. Flight Time | Estimated Starting Fare (One-Way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa → Phoenix | STS → PHX | Daily | Embraer 175 | 2 hours 10 min | $79 |
| Santa Rosa → Salt Lake City | STS → SLC | Daily | Embraer 175 | 1 hour 55 min | $89 |
| Santa Rosa → Boise | STS → BOI | 5x weekly | Embraer 175 | 1 hour 45 min | $69 |
These are introductory fares based on Alaska’s typical pricing patterns for similar route launches. Expect them to climb to $120–$180 as the harvest season demand kicks in.
Santa Rosa to Phoenix (STS–PHX)
Why it matters: Phoenix is a major hub for American Airlines and a connecting point for dozens of cities across the Southwest and Mexico. If you’re coming from Tucson, El Paso, or Albuquerque, this is your new fastest route to Sonoma.
Pros: Direct access to Sonoma without touching the 101 freeway. Phoenix connections mean you can book through to the East Coast on a single itinerary.
Cons: Phoenix in November is still 85°F, but you’re only there for a layover. The bigger con is that this flight lands you in Terminal 3 at PHX, which is fine but not the prettiest terminal.
Best for: Southwest residents who want to avoid the Bay Area airport chaos. Also great for skiers connecting to Salt Lake or Boise in the winter.
Santa Rosa to Salt Lake City (STS–SLC)
Why it matters: Delta’s Salt Lake hub is massive. This route gives you a one-stop connection to Denver, Seattle, Portland, and even Anchorage. For wine lovers coming from the Rockies, this cuts hours off your drive time.
Pros: Salt Lake’s airport is modern, clean, and rarely has the delays you see at Denver or Seattle. The flight time is under two hours.
Cons: If you’re flying Delta to SLC and then switching to Alaska, you’ll need to walk between concourses. It’s doable, but allow 45 minutes minimum.
Best for: Ski-and-sip travelers. Fly into SLC, hit the slopes in Park City for a day, then connect to Sonoma for wine. Or do it in reverse.
Santa Rosa to Boise (STS–BOI)
Why it matters: Boise is growing fast, and the Idaho-to-California wine corridor is real. This route serves both leisure travelers and business travelers in the agriculture and tech sectors.
Pros: Boise Airport is one of the easiest to navigate in the country. You can park, check a bag, and be at your gate in 20 minutes. The Embraer 175 on this route is almost always on time.
Cons: Only five flights per week, not daily. Check the schedule carefully if your trip falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
Best for: Idaho residents who want a direct shot to Sonoma without driving to Portland or Seattle. Also great for Boise State alumni visiting the Bay Area.
Alaska Returns to Long Beach: Why That Matters for Wine Travelers
Alaska Airlines pulled out of Long Beach in 2020 during the pandemic and never came back—until now. Starting this fall, Alaska will resume service from Long Beach to its Seattle hub, with connecting service to Santa Rosa and other California destinations.
Why this is relevant: Long Beach Airport is the hidden gem of Southern California aviation. It’s small, uncrowded, and located much closer to Orange County wine country (Temecula, Santa Barbara via the 101) than LAX. If you’re flying into SoCal to drive up the coast to Sonoma, Long Beach saves you 45 minutes of ground traffic compared to LAX.
The catch: The Long Beach return is initially limited to Seattle flights. You’ll need to connect through Seattle to reach Santa Rosa. That’s a two-hop itinerary for what could be a one-hop from LAX. But if you hate LAX with a passion—and you should—this is a viable alternative.
Pricing: Expect introductory fares from Long Beach to Seattle starting around $59 one-way. From Seattle to Santa Rosa, add another $79–$99.
How This Compares to Flying into San Francisco or Oakland
Let’s be honest: most people flying to Sonoma right now land at SFO or OAK and then rent a car for the 60–90 minute drive north. That drive can be brutal on a Friday afternoon. Here’s how the new routes stack up:
| Option | Time from Airport to Healdsburg | Typical Cost (Rental Car + Tolls) | Stress Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fly into STS (new routes) | 15 minutes | $0 (walk to car rental) | Low |
| Fly into SFO | 90 minutes | $65 + bridge tolls | High |
| Fly into OAK | 75 minutes | $55 + bridge tolls | Medium |
| Fly into LGB → connect via STS | 15 minutes | $0 | Low (if you make the connection) |
If you live in Phoenix, Salt Lake, or Boise, flying directly to Santa Rosa is a no-brainer. For Southern California residents, the Long Beach return is a nice option, but you’ll still need to connect through Seattle unless Alaska adds direct LGB–STS service later.
What Wine Country Travelers Need to Know in 2026
Harvest Season Timing
The new routes launch in November. That’s technically after the peak harvest season (August–October), but November is still prime time for Sonoma. The leaves are changing, the crush is done, and wineries are releasing their new vintages. You’ll find easier tasting room reservations and lower lodging prices compared to September.
Book by October 1 to lock in introductory fares. After that, expect prices to rise 30–50%.
The Embraer 175 Experience
Alaska is flying the E175 on all three new routes. This is a 76-seat regional jet with a 2-2 configuration. No middle seats. The overhead bins are small, so if you’re bringing wine back, plan to gate-check your carry-on. The cabin is quiet, and the seats have decent legroom for a regional jet.
Pro tip: Sit in row 6 or 7 on the left side for the best view of the Sonoma County coastline on approach.
Rental Cars at Santa Rosa Airport
Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport has a small but efficient rental car center. Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and National all operate on-site. You can walk from baggage claim to the rental lot in under five minutes.
Warning: Book your car at least two weeks in advance during November. The airport is small, and rental car inventory is limited. If you wait until the week of, you might end up paying $120/day for a compact.
Photo by How to Book and What to Pay
Alaska Airlines typically opens new route sales with a flash sale. Based on previous patterns, expect a 48-hour promotion in late May or early June 2026. Sign up for Alaska’s email alerts or follow @AlaskaAir on social media to catch it.
Estimated pricing breakdown:
- Santa Rosa to Phoenix: $79–$149 one-way
- Santa Rosa to Salt Lake City: $89–$169 one-way
- Santa Rosa to Boise: $69–$129 one-way
- Long Beach to Seattle: $59–$129 one-way
- Seattle to Santa Rosa: $79–$139 one-way
Best value: Book a round-trip from Boise to Santa Rosa for under $150 total if you catch the sale.
Loyalty note: Alaska Mileage Plan members earn 100% miles on these routes. If you have status, you’ll get priority boarding and free checked bags, which is huge for wine hauling.
FAQ: Wine Country Flyers Edition
1. Can I fly directly from Long Beach to Santa Rosa on Alaska?
Not yet. Alaska’s Long Beach return initially only serves Seattle. You’ll need to fly LGB→SEA→STS. Alaska may add direct LGB–STS service in 2027 if demand is strong, but nothing is confirmed.
2. How much wine can I bring back on the Embraer 175?
You can check up to two bags (50 lbs each) on Alaska. If you have an Alaska Airlines credit card, your first checked bag is free. The E175’s overhead bins are small, so don’t rely on carry-on for wine. Use a wine suitcase as checked luggage. Alaska charges $30 for the first checked bag without the card.
3. Is Santa Rosa Airport easy to navigate for first-timers?
Extremely. STS has one terminal, six gates, and a single security checkpoint. From curbside to gate is usually under 15 minutes. There’s a small café and a wine bar past security. It’s the opposite of LAX chaos.
4. What’s the best winery near Santa Rosa Airport for a quick visit?
Matanzas Creek Winery in Bennett Valley is a 12-minute drive from the airport. They have a lavender garden and excellent Sauvignon Blanc. If you have a long layover, you can Uber there, taste, and be back in under two hours.
5. Will Alaska add more routes from Santa Rosa in 2026?
Probably not in 2026, but watch for a Las Vegas route announcement. Alaska has been testing STS–LAS on the E175, and it’s performed well. If you want to see more routes, book these new ones early to show demand.
The Bottom Line
Alaska Airlines is finally treating Sonoma like a real destination. The three new routes from Santa Rosa to Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Boise make wine country accessible for millions of travelers who previously had to drive from San Francisco. The return to Long Beach is a bonus for Southern Californians who hate LAX.
If you live in any of these cities, your next wine trip just got easier, cheaper, and faster. Book the introductory fares when they drop, rent your car early, and pack an extra suitcase for the wine. Your only problem will be deciding which winery to hit first.
Book your flight here: AFFILIATE_LINK_ALASKA_AIR
Rent a car at STS: AFFILIATE_LINK_RENTAL_CARS
Get a wine travel suitcase: AFFILIATE_LINK_WINE_SUITCASE
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Last updated: 2026-05-08