SUNTORY COLLECTION

San Diego is getting a new nonstop flight to a major overseas destination

The new route to the Netherlands marks San Diego's third nonstop to a European destination.

San Diego is getting a new nonstop flight to a major overseas destination + ' Main Photo'

Starting in May of next year, San Diego’s international airport will get its third nonstop to a major European destination— Amsterdam.

Operating the three-times-a-week flight between San Diego and Amsterdam will be KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, beginning May 8. The new route, announced Tuesday, marks San Diego’s first new nonstop to Europe in two years. Lufthansa Airlines currently offers a daily flight to Munich, and British Airways flies twice a day between San Diego and London.

KLM becomes the seventh international airline to offer service from San Diego.

“We are very pleased to have KLM join as the 19th carrier at SAN,” said Kimberly Becker, CEO and President of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “This summer, European travel is up over 30 percent compared to last year. Amsterdam, with its iconic canals and world-class museums and corporate ties to the San Diego region, will be the 10th international destination offered from SAN (the San Diego airport) and we look forward to a continued from both business and leisure international travelers.”

The latest European nonstop should help boost what has been a gradual rebound in international travel in and out of San Diego since the early pandemic years.

With the new route to Amsterdam, travelers will be able to more easily connect to multiple European cities and will have access to SkyTeam Alliance, which has the advantage of shared benefits with 19 other international airlines’ loyalty programs.

In its news release, KLM noted that San Diego represents a large, unserved market for the joint venture of Air France, KLM, Delta and Virgin Atlantic, which has seen steady growth over the past decade.

“The launch of KLM’s direct service between Amsterdam and San Diego marks an exciting milestone in our North American expansion,” said Boaz Hulsman, vice president of commercial, North America at Air France-KLM. “This new route opens a gateway to Southern California’s dynamic economy while connecting the San Diego community to Amsterdam and beyond. We’re excited to offer seamless connectivity to over 160+ destinations, enhancing travel options for both business and leisure travelers. San Diego represents a key market with tremendous potential as we continue to strengthen our trans-Atlantic network.”