Travel Tip Sacramento International Airport: Your Vacation Could Start Closer to Home
- Saltwater Travel Company
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Before you commit to driving to the Bay Area for your next flight, check Sacramento first!
SMF - Sacramento International Airport, currently advertises 51 nonstop destinations. That means plenty of opportunities to spend less time changing planes and more time enjoying your vacation.
Where Can You Fly Nonstop?
Among SMF’s most frequently served destinations are Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Denver, Las Vegas and Phoenix, based on scheduled flights—not passenger popularity rankings. Great options for a long weekend, visiting family or getting your vacation started without a connection.
For a bigger getaway, here are a few nonstop options worth knowing about:
Hawaii: Honolulu on Oahu, Kahului on Maui, Kona on the Big Island and Lihue on Kauai.
Mexico: Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta for beach time, plus Guadalajara, León and Morelia.
Orlando: Theme parks and family vacation fun.
Anchorage: A seasonal option for exploring Alaska.
Some routes operate seasonally or only on certain days, so a little flexibility can make a big difference.
What’s New—and What’s Coming to Sacramento International Airport?
More options for Oahu: Southwest is scheduled to add a second daily nonstop flight between Sacramento and Honolulu beginning in November 2026. This is additional service on an existing route—not a brand-new destination—but more departure choices are always welcome!
Recent additions you may have missed: During 2025, SMF added service to Anchorage, Baltimore, Morelia, Orlando, Puerto Vallarta and Tucson. Alaska Airlines also expanded the frequency of its seasonal Anchorage service for summer 2026.
What about nonstop flights to Europe? SMF is actively pursuing its first nonstop European service, but I haven’t found a confirmed destination or launch date to share yet. For now, consider that a possibility—not a flight you can book.
What’s All That Construction at SMF?
The airport’s approximately $1.4 billion SMForward improvement program is bringing more parking, easier access and additional gate capacity. Here’s the current timeline:
Late 2026: An accessible pedestrian walkway connecting Terminal B and Concourse B, plus a new garage with approximately 5,500 parking spaces west of Terminal B.
Late 2027: A new Terminal A exit road designed to improve traffic flow.
Spring 2029: The Concourse B expansion is expected to open, adding six gates.
Late 2030: A consolidated rental car center is planned closer to the terminals.
On hold: The separate Ground Transportation Center project.
These are projected opening dates and may change as construction progresses.
Lori’s Travel Tip
Compare the whole travel day—not just the airfare. A cheaper flight from another airport may not feel like a bargain after adding the drive, parking, a possible hotel stay and your time.
And while SMF is under construction, check parking availability before leaving home and give yourself extra time to get settled.
One more detail: “direct” doesn’t always mean “nonstop.” A direct flight can make a stop without requiring you to change planes. If you want zero stops, look specifically for nonstop.
Ready for a getaway without the extra airport shuffle? Reply with where you’d like to go and your approximate dates. I’ll help you build a vacation with the flights, accommodations and experiences that fit you.
Route information checked August 30, 2026. Airline schedules and construction timelines are subject to change.
Comments