Hello Houston! United Brings New Service to SGF

United Airlines begins new, non-stop service between Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) and Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), beginning June 8. Tickets are on sale now.

“As the 4th largest city in the U.S., Houston is a great nonstop destination for business and leisure travelers,” says Andrew Bell sales manager for Springfield at United Airlines. “This new route will give Springfield customers easier, nonstop access to one of the country’s largest cities, and to destinations beyond.”

The Houston service is Springfield’s 13th non-stop destination. The average number of non-stop destinations for cities similar in size to Springfield is nine.

“Houston service is wonderful news for the region and the community,” says Tom Babik, chairman of the airport board of directors. “Springfield customers will be able to connect through Houston to more than 175 destinations around the world, including more than 50 destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America.”

Right now Springfield airport customers generally fly through Dallas or Atlanta to reach Latin America and the Caribbean. United’s new service gives customers more options. From Houston customers can fly non-stop to leisure destinations such as Belize, Cancun, St. Thomas, Guadalajara, and Nassau. Business destinations include Monterrey, Mexico City, Panama City, San Paulo, and Santiago — to name a few.

“Today’s announcement is about economic opportunity,” says Matt Morrow, president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. “This additional service allows businesses across our region better, quicker access to the world and allows outside investors to easily reach Springfield and help and grow our economy.”

United’s Houston service will increase the number of airline seats in the Springfield-Branson market by approximately 36,000 seats annually. Tickets are on sale now at www.united.com.

The addition of Houston gives Springfield an average of 28 daily departures, on four airlines: Allegiant, American, Delta, and United. They provide non-stop flights to: Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte, Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Orlando, and Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers.

Note: service to Destin/Ft. Walton Beach begins May 25, and the Houston service begins June 8.