Move over San Diego! United launches the first flight to the nearby beach town in more than a decade

We at Travel Off Path nearly broke the internet last year by revealing that San Diego does indeed have a second airport that is back in business for commercial air travel.

Many of our readers chimed in with their excitement (and concerns) about American Airlines’ groundbreaking flight to/from Phoenix.

Taking off my journalist hat for a moment, as a San Diegan myself, I wondered if a secondary airport would be feasible in the long run, as many SoCal travelers Tijuana loophole.

But I, as well as many others, am corrected today as it was announced United Airlines becomes the second commercial airline to take off from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD). Carlsbadand there are some undeniable positives now that two major airlines are anchoring San Diego’s North County’s only airport.

Two major airlines now serve California’s strangest airport

Easily accessible from I-5, Carlsbad’s McClellan-Palomar Airport has an undeniably bizarre history.

What was mainly a private use airport, there have been successes in the strange timeline that have been quite useful for travelers, although it never seems to stick…

Considering it’s been over a year since we revealed Carlsbad’s comeback, the recent news that this underrated resort town has risen so high that it’s on United’s radar is the biggest promise in years that it’s here to stay.

United hasn’t operated out of CLD in just over a decade and last provided a direct route to LAX for those who prefer air travel over traffic congestion to reach one of America’s busiest airports in the spring of 2015.

Since then, the airport has become more of a circus than a reliable source for travelers.

One local billionaire failed to keep the little-known California Pacific Airlines off the tarmac, and the only other attempts were JSX and Advanced Air, both charters that are still going strong by all accounts.

In summary, charter airlines JSX and Advanced Air (seasonal), and major airlines, American and now United, all serve CLD.

Call it a comeback: United returns after a ten-year absence

American serves Phoenix as a major hub in their network, and the same can be said for Denver in regards to United as it is actually the airline’s fastest growing hub.

Denver is the big winner of United’s exciting return to the paradise beach towns of San Diego County. As such, this is United California’s most connected airline in the entire state.

Tickets are already on sale for the first-ever nonstop route from Denver to Carlsbad. The schedule is currently planned for twice daily transportation from March 30, 2026which happens to be one of the best times of year to visit.

No, not because of spring break, but because one of California’s most photo-worthy attractions is in full bloom.

That’s right – as beautiful as the beaches of Carlsbad (and the surrounding towns) may be, the top attraction for Carlsbad is actually the kaleidoscopic Flower fields.

Will CLD Expansion Help Avoid LA and Tijuana?

When Tijuana opened an exclusive border crossing (CBX) for airport use, it was much more beneficial from a cost perspective than it is today.

Back when the CBX was a barren lot with no parking fees and seasonal surcharges, travelers didn’t have to think twice about whether flying from San Diego or LA was the best option for a vacation south of the border.

Nowadays you can easily spend triple digits before going through customs.

It is well documented that San Diego International Airport (SAN) just opened a brand new Terminal 1 after a highly anticipated debut.

While the space is much nicer and traffic seems to flow better, one issue not addressed is the lack of international flights.

There are only 5 international airlines that operate from San Diego:

That’s why many San Diegans are forced to brave the snail’s pace to LAX, or head to the border, depending on your final destination.

With the addition of two major airlines serving CLD and now connecting to a few popular hubs (Phoenix and Denver), those living closer to Carlsbad now have more options to vacation internationally with just one stopover.

For example, Denver welcomed 2 great international routes via United this year:

• Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
• Rome, Italy (FCO)

Why visit Carlsbad?

Most visitors planning a trip to San Diego don’t quite make it to Carlsbad, which is about 35 minutes north of downtown if you beat rush hour.

But Carlsbad isn’t a snoozefest like some other hidden gems along the coast. Home to one of my favorite resorts for a staycation Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club and Spa and an on-site restaurant Cinder & Ryea mouthwatering steakhouse ‘of sorts’ backed by celebrity chef Richard Blais, if you can change the price I can’t recommend it enough.

There is a great Disneyland alternative for the kids LegoLandan amusement park and hotel, perfect for a weekend away.

One of my favorite places to visit is along the beach Carlsbad village. Here you’ll find seaside cafes, more resorts, vibrant murals and seafood restaurants – and it’s often less crowded than San Diego itself, with lagoons and beautiful beaches stretching for seven miles.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.