More flights out of State College are coming — but what about new destinations?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Adds two daily Chicago flights and one daily D.C. flight starting March 30.
- Later adds another daily to Philly, totaling four; ~20,000 extra seats in 2026.
- Officials use outreach, incentives and an alliance to target new destinations.
State College’s airport hasn’t yet landed the new destinations it’s sought since last summer, but officials said Tuesday the airport plans to soon boost the number of daily flights on existing routes.
Starting March 30, State College Regional Airport will see two additional daily flights to Chicago and an additional daily flight to Washington, D.C. And, later in the year, the airport will add another daily flight to Philadelphia, which has long waffled between three and four daily flights.
That means, once the changes take effect, there will be six daily flights to Chicago, four to D.C. and four to Philly. American Airlines operates the flights to Philadelphia, while United Airlines operates the others.
“Increased flight availability is an important step forward for our community and regional economy,” Jason McMurtrie, assistant executive director of landside operations for the Centre County Airport Authority, said in a written statement. “Expanding service beginning March 30 demonstrates confidence in our Central Pennsylvania market and reinforces our commitment to providing reliable, convenient air travel options for the residents, businesses, and visitors we serve.”
According to the airport authority, the additional flights will amount to about an extra 20,000 seats available in 2026 when compared to 2025 levels.
In a press release, the authority noted the expansion aligns with broader efforts to “enhance connectivity, support economic development, and respond to sustained recovery in air travel demand.” Many of those goals were shared publicly during a local air summit in October, when one of the primary targets was to lay the groundwork for adding a new destination, or destinations, to the local airport.
Will State College’s airport get new destinations?
Officials wanted to make clear that Tuesday’s announcement was an important step forward and in no way negatively impacts the goal to eventually add new destinations.
County, airport and business leaders have reiterated that the process of adding new destinations might not be quick or simple. But they’ve made pitches to some airlines, created a Fly State College Fund to incentivize carriers and have engaged experts to better help navigate it all.
Already, based on data, destinations in Florida and Charlotte, N.C., have become priorities. And the formal creation of the State College Air Service Alliance only strengthens those priorities. (The alliance is composed of the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, the Centre County Airport Authority, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Penn State.)
“We are excited by the announcement that both American Airlines and United Airlines plan to increase service from State College Regional Airport to existing destinations this year, emphasizing strong demand for increased air service in Centre County,” CBICC President & CEO Greg Scott told the CDT in a written statement, speaking on behalf of the alliance.
“The State College Air Service Alliance remains committed to working with airline partners and local stakeholders to ensure that air service is not only increasing for existing destinations, but that we are doing everything possible to attract new carriers and routes to Centre County, supporting economic development and quality of life.”
There is no current timetable for when new destinations might be added.
