Monterey Regional Airport - Airlines and Destinations

Airlines and Destinations

Allegiant Air is the only air carrier that currently serves Monterey with large "mainline" aircraft such as McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jetliners which are used for their service to Las Vegas. Allegiant had planned to operate Boeing 757-200 aircraft for new nonstop service to Honolulu that was scheduled to commence during November, 2012; however, the airline then cancelled the launch due to low booking demand. The other airlines that currently serve the airport utilize smaller regional jet and turboprop aircraft.

The primary major airline that served Monterey for many years was United Airlines. United operated Boeing 727-100, 727-200, 737-200 and 757-200 jetliners as well as Airbus A320 aircraft from the airport at different times over the years. At one point, United operated nonstop Boeing 727 service to Chicago and Denver from Monterey. Other airlines previously operating jet service from the airport included Pacific Air Lines with Boeing 727-100 aircraft, Hughes Airwest (formerly known as Air West) with Douglas DC-9-10 and DC-9-30 flights, Air California with Boeing 737-200 service and Pacific Express with British Aircraft Corp. BAC One-Eleven jets. In addition, Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), USAir (which subsequently changed its name to US Airways) and WestAir operating as United Express all previously served Monterey with British Aerospace BAe 146-200 jet aircraft. ExpressJet also independently served the airport at one point with Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets. In 1966, Pacific Air Lines became the first air carrier to introduce jet service into Monterey with new Boeing 727 aircraft operated on flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa Barbara.

Golden Gate Airlines was a regional passenger air carrier that was based in Monterey. This "commuter" airline served over 20 destinations primarily located in California but also in Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Utah. Golden Gate operated Convair 580 and de Havilland Canada Dash 7 turboprop aircraft in addition to smaller commuter turboprops. The airline ceased operations in the early 1980s after experiencing financial difficulties following a merger with San Luis Obispo-based Swift Aire Lines.