Sonoma Travelers Can Soon Clear Security Before They Reach SFO

Starting November 17, travelers in California’s wine country will be able to begin an SFO trip at the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport. The Landline Company announced the Straight to Gate service with the two airports on October 12. Passengers flying United, Alaska, Hawaiian, American or JetBlue check in, drop their bags and clear TSA security at the Sonoma airport, then board a secure coach.

The coach drives nonstop to the airfield at San Francisco International, where passengers walk to their gates without being rescreened. Bags are transferred to their flights. The pitch is to skip the drive into the Bay Area and the long lines once there, which can matter for early departures.

Service runs eight daily round trips, with coaches leaving Sonoma at 5, 7, 9 and 11 a.m. and at 1, 3, 5:30 and 8 p.m. The fare is $55 one way per adult, and children 15 and under ride free with a paying adult. Reservations are open at sfo.landline.com.

The service also works in reverse. Travelers arriving at SFO on any airline can ride Landline back to Sonoma, with coaches picking up at the curb outside baggage claim at every SFO terminal, with return trips running from about 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. It is a rare example of airport security being pushed out to a regional hub.

Sources: Travel Extra, Landline press release