Sonoma County set to mark return of United Airlines with celebration

The first United Airlines flight in 16 years is scheduled to land in Sonoma County on Thursday, marking another milestone for its growing regional airport.

United’s 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-200 jet is scheduled to touch down at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport at 1:35 p.m., roughly 45-minutes after taking off from San Francisco.

The plane is scheduled to depart Sonoma County at 2:05 p.m.

The airport is planning a celebration to mark the occasion.

United’s Sonoma County service, which includes three daily departures at 6 a.m., 2:05 p.m. and 5:20 p.m., is designed to connect passengers to San Francisco International Airport and connections around the globe.

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

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.

The flights will be operated as United Express by Skywest Airlines.

United is 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.