Carlsbad California commercial airline service expanded. American & JSX and now United

[JohnnyO]

Here are the commercial airlines currently operating scheduled passenger service at McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) in Carlsbad, California, as of late April 2026:


Main Scheduled Airlines


• American Airlines (American Eagle / Envoy Air)


• Route: Nonstop to Phoenix (PHX) two flights


• Service started in early 2025 (February) and has been expanding. It is the busiest commercial route at CLD, with multiple daily flights (recently adding more frequencies).


• United Airlines (United Express, operated by SkyWest)


• Routes: Twice daily to Denver (DEN) and twice daily to San Francisco (SFO)


• Total: 4 daily flights


• Service began on March 30, 2026, using Embraer E175 regional jets (about 70 seats).


Other Commercial / Semi-Private / Regional


• Advanced Air


• Operates smaller aircraft (Dornier 328 Jet, King Air 350) on routes to destinations such as Mammoth Lakes (seasonal) and other regional spots in the Southwest (e.g., Crescent City, etc.).


• This is more niche/regional commercial service.


• JSX (semi-private jet service, formerly JetSuiteX)


• Offers flights to Las Vegas (LAS), Oakland (OAK), Scottsdale (SCF), and seasonal destinations like Reno/Tahoe or Taos.


• Operates as a public charter with a more premium, less crowded experience from the main terminal. Not a traditional airline but provides scheduled commercial-like service.


Key Notes


• CLD is a small regional airport with limited commercial service compared to San Diego International (SAN). Total passenger traffic is modest, dominated by American Eagle.


• No international flights.


• There has been local controversy and legal challenges from some Carlsbad residents regarding noise and the introduction/expansion of jet service (especially American and United), but operations continue.


• Schedules and frequencies can vary by day/season. American’s PHX route currently has the highest number of weekly departures.


For the latest schedules, exact times, or bookings, check:


• Official airport page: sandiegocounty.gov (McClellan-Palomar Airport)


• Airline websites (aa.com, united.com, advancedairlines.com, jsx.com)


• Flight trackers like Flightradar24 or FlightsFrom.com

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

CLD is a great option for North County San Diego. In addition to avoiding the hassle of SAN - if you can't get to SAN on a direct flight and have to make a connection, why not make that connection in DEN or PHX and then take a direct flight to CLD instead of SAN?

Even if SAN is an option, getting to SAN on public transit is difficult at best, and taking a ride share to SAN costs at least $60 each direction, and even more the further north you get.

 

[buzglyd]

I am very pleased with the new service. The agitators are spreading the usual nonsense about safety and such. Some local Karen has own own FB page constantly complaining. I always suggest that if you live near Palomar airport road, you might be near an airport.

I can see the runway from my deck. When the AA flight goes overhead, I head to the airport. It has made going back and forth between our Carlsbad house and Scottsdale house a dream.