The Way to Santa Fe by Laura Jackson

This week I am taking a couple days of vacation from my day job to participate in a photography class in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Photography is a hobby of mine, and ranks just behind my affection for the aviation industry.
Santa Fe is known as The City Different. It is both the oldest and the highest (in elevation) state capital in the USA. The airport’s adobe architecture is absolutely charming, and truly exudes a sense of place.
But on this trip, I will drive instead of fly.
Yes, I will drive instead of fly – I’m taking to the open road. Santa Fe is a 400-mile journey from my home. The route includes magnificent views of mountains – including Pikes Peak and the Sangre de Cristo – as well as the San Luis Valley, and the piñon and juniper forests of northern New Mexico. Some things don’t have a price, even measured in frequent-flier miles!
Not to mention the minor detail that there is no longer nonstop air service between my home of Denver, Colorado, and Santa Fe. This service was previously operated by Wyoming-based Great Lakes Airlines. In fact, the flights operated by Great Lakes between Denver and Santa Fe on 19-seat Beechcraft 1900 aircraft were at one time the only daily scheduled flights at Santa Fe Municipal Airport.
This all changed with the approval of an environmental impact statement that paved the way for regional jet (RJ) operations at SAF. As a result, in 2009, American Airlines initiated service from Santa Fe to its hub at Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport – also known as DFW – as well as to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). These services are operated by American Eagle with 44-seat Embraer 140 aircraft.

This shift in air service is good news for Santa Fe. More passengers now have access to Santa Fe, and more flights generate increased economic activity in one of the most spectacular cities in North America. And although this shift has also eliminated my nonstop link, it gives me the time that I rarely take to leisurely travel to my destination. And I have to admit, I am looking forward to it.
Source: Official Airline Guide (OAG) Schedule tapes for January 2007 through June 2010, unless otherwise noted.