Tester: New Airline Routes to Montana ‘great news for our thriving tourism industry’

American Airlines to provide new summer service to Bozeman from Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and New York, add New York-Kalispell route, expand Chicago-Kalispell service; Alaska Airlines to provide non-stop, year-round Los Angeles-Missoula service

(Big Sandy, Mont.) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester today praised the announcement that American Airlines will add new summer flights to Bozeman from New York (LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), and Los Angeles (LAX), as well as add flights from New York to Kalispell and expand the service capacity of its Chicago-Kalispell flight. Alaska Airlines announced yesterday it will provide direct LAX-Bozeman year-round service.

“American and Alaska Airlines acknowledged what we in Montana already know: there’s no better place to spend the summer than exploring the Treasure State,” Tester said. “It’s great news for our thriving tourism industry and growing economy, and new routes from these major hubs will allow more folks to experience what Montana has to offer, at the same time giving Montanans expanded options for their own travel plans.”

Tester is Montana’s only member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over air travel. In June, he announced American would add three new seasonal routes to Kalispell from Dallas, Los Angeles, and Chicago. 

“National parks are a huge attraction for many families,” said Vasu Raja, Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning for American Airlines. “As soon as school’s out next year, our customers will have more than 145 weekly flights to Montana to choose from. This summer, we launched three new flights to Glacier National Park in Kalispell, and, next summer, we’re expanding with more service to discover the natural wonders.”

Tester has worked tirelessly to bring more business to Montana’s airports. In July, he announced more than $20 million to upgrade Montana’s airports. He was also the only member of Montana’s delegation to vote for the bipartisan budget agreement that provided this funding through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program.