More people will have a chance to fly to and from Mammoth Lakes this winter. Horizon Air has agreed to expand air service with an extra flight from Los Angeles and new flights from Reno, Seattle, Portland and San Jose.horizon_airplane

Horizon’s first winter season, last year, proved highly successful with a some 70% rate of passengers per plane. The higher than anticipated use of the LA to Mammoth and back service led to serious talks about expansion of the routes.

In an economic climate not terribly favorable for air service, the commuter flights for Horizon appeared attractive. Mammoth Mountain did subsidize flights last year, and Mammoth’s Communications Director Joani Lynch said that this winter will be similar to last year. “We have some financial risk in some of the new routes,” said Lynch. The Mountain will help pay for flights between Los Angeles, San Jose and Mammoth. Horizon will handle the flights involving Reno, Seattle and Portland by routing them into other flights.

Lynch also confirmed that year-round air service is still on the table. She said discussions are going well for year-round flights between LA and Mammoth.

Dan Russo, Horizon’s Vice President of Marketing, pointed to the source of new visitors to Mammoth in the flights from Seattle, Portland, Reno and San Jose.

Horizon will offer special low fares for flights on select days. Fares start at $49 each way from Reno, $69 from San Jose or LA, $144 from Portland and $149 from Seattle.

Next winter’s schedule also includes an additional flight between Los Angeles and Mammoth. Horizon will operate all flights with their 76-seat Bombardier Q400s. The high-speed, twin engine turboprop is billed as quiet and comfortable with special noise and vibration suppressing technology.

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