07-03-2025
John Glenn offering direct flights to the west coast
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus travelers now have more options when it comes to faster and more convenient flights.
American Airlines re-launched its nonstop flights to Los Angeles from John Glenn International Airport, the first time a major airline has flown this route out of Columbus since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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According to representatives with John Glenn International Airport, LAX has been Columbus' largest underserved market and a top need of the business community.
'Columbus is one of our largest and most important communities, so we're proud to be here,' American Airlines Director of Domestic Network Planning Jordan Pack said.
Travelers were quick to take advantage of the nonstop option.
'I don't want to have a whole day taken out of my life, so I saw this and I thought 'Oh wow, finally a nonstop flight,'' Lauren Bogorad, who was flying to Los Angeles, said.
Dean Oblonsky was also on the flight. He said this speaks to the growth we're seeing in central Ohio and serves as a step forward for travel since the pandemic.
'During COVID, it was three stops, minimum two, so it just shaves hours out,' Oblonsky said.
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'It's fantastic,' Roger Cooper, another LA traveler, said. 'It says a lot about where people are going to and coming from, and that will help the industry in Ohio because there's enough market to have a nonstop flight every day.'
Pack said it's also important for the business and economic community of central Ohio and southern California, calling it a critical piece that was missing.
'The hour they announced this flight, I booked,' Oblonsky said. 'I'm so happy about it and it ups the game for travel out of Columbus in a big way.'
Oblonsky, who works out of Palm Springs, travels to California about 12 times a month.
'The ease to get west and the two-hour drive beats whatever layovers there are, and to be able to do work direct in LA, too, for a lot of businesses here in Columbus,' Oblonsky said.
Meantime, Kathy Simms lives in L.A. but has a son in Columbus. She's a frequent flyer.
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'We used to fly three or four times a year out here to see him and then COVID hit and it all of a sudden put a little damper with the non-direct flights,' Simms said.
Simms already has another direct flight back to Columbus booked for April.
American Airlines representatives said Los Angeles joins a lineup of 11 other nonstop destinations offered at John Glenn International Airport.
'Not to have to worry about what happens to my luggage, and to get there a little more direct is absolutely so convenient,' Douglas Worthington, who was flying to Los Angeles, said.
According to officials, these flights will be offered daily.
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