RDM lands seasonal flights to Dallas/Fort Worth — and is still looking for more destinations in its eastward push

(Update: Adding video, future prospects from Zachary Bass)

It's13th direct destination, and farthest east direct flight - for now; will use 150-seat Airbus A320

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Over two years of marketing efforts came to a successful conclusion Monday, as Redmond Municipal Airport announced that American Airlines will be adding direct seasonal service between Redmond and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, beginning next May 6 through October 6.

The nonstop flights will depart daily from RDM at 1:16 P.M., arriving in DFW at 6:57 P.M. Departures to RDM will leave DFW at 10:15 A.M., arriving in RDM at 12:31 P.M. 

“This will be the farthest eastbound direct flight offered at RDM and will connect passengers to some outstanding locations,” Airport Director Zachary Bass said in Monday's announcement.

“American Airlines has more than 800 outbound flights departing daily from DFW, significantly increasing travel options for Central Oregon business and leisure passengers connecting through Dallas.”

The daily nonstop flights will be operated by American Airlines, utilizing the Airbus A320 series aircraft, which accommodates up to 150 passengers, configured with 12 recliner seats in first class and 138 seats in economy.

This new service to DFW will operate alongside continuing nonstop service to Phoenix (PHX), providing local residents access with just one stop across American’s comprehensive global network.

With this new flight, RDM now offers direct flights to 13 locations: Burbank, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, and Seattle.

Two years ago, Redmond landed an $800,000 federal grant to help make a bid for the Dallas flights, which Bass called the most-sought direct flight not yet available for Central Oregon air travelers.

The total package to market to airlines for a Dallas flight was $1.2 million, including funds from the Central Oregon Visitors Association, airport marketing money and "revenue guarantee money built up by the community," Bass told NewsChannel 21 in July 2021.

And that's not the end of the hunt for more flights to and from RDM, which on the cusp of a major airport expansion that will take years to accomplish.

"We're always looking to kind of push east if we can, to give people more options throughout the nation," Bass told us Monday. "So Minneapolis, Chicago is always on our radar. We also want to increase flights to Denver, Salt Lake and any of our other destinations that we currently have.”

The Redmond Airport terminal is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Boarding lounge amenities include a children’s play area, Nursing Room, a free book exchange, a coffee/gift shop, a family-friendly restaurant, and a full-service bar (located post-security) that opens daily at 10:00 A.M. 

Additional links to TSA, Airport amenities, Air Carrier, and flight information can be found online at www.flyrdm.com.