Travelers flying out of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) will soon be able to check their bags and clear Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening in Santa Rosa before boarding a shuttle directly to SFO. The new service, announced Oct. 12 by Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS), SFO, and transportation provider Landline, is scheduled to launch Nov. 17, offering North Bay passengers a new way to connect with flights from one of California’s busiest airports
Check Bags and Clear Security in Santa Rosa
The service, called Straight to Gate, will connect Sonoma County Airport with SFO through nonstop motorcoach journeys. Passengers flying with United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways or American Airlines can check in, drop off their luggage and pass thorugh security screening in Santa Rosa before boarding the coach.
Upon arrival at SFO, passengers will enter the airport’s secure terminal area and proceed to their departure gates without going through security screening a second time. Their checked bags will be transferred to their flights.
“Sonoma County already has a great local airport. Straight to Gate connects it to SFO’s global network, so trips to anywhere in the world can start close to home,” said David Sunde, Landline’s founder and CEO, in the company’s announcement
The service will also operate in the opposite direction, allowing passengers arriving at SFO to travel by coach to Sonoma County Airport. Returning passengers must collect their checked luggage at SFO before boarding the shuttle.
Eight Daily Round Trips Planned
Landline plans to operate eight daily round trips between the two airports. Departures from Sonoma County Airport are scheduled throughout the day, beginning at 5 a.m. and continuing into the evening. A one-way ticket costs $55 for adults, while children 15 and younger can travel free with a paying adult. Reservations are available through Landline’s booking website, which recommends shuttle departures based on passengers’ flight details.
“We are excited to welcome Landline service from Sonoma County Airport to SFO,” said SFO Airport Director Mike Nakornkhet. “Our goal is to create a seamless travel experience for our guests, and this new service provides the most direct access to our terminals, making a connection to SFO easier than ever before. We welcome this new option from Landline and expect it will be a success.”
The service is designed to simplify airport transfers for residents of Sonoma County and surrounding North Bay communities, who may otherwise need to drive to SFO or arrange separate ground transportation.
Whether the service becomes a popular alternative to driving will depend on factors including traffic, shuttle schedules and how conveniently passengers can connect with their flights. For North Bay travelers, the new route offers another way to begin a journey closer to home while accessing the broader range of destinations available through San Francisco International Airport.
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