Currently, Horizon Air is the only airline that serves STS.
Horizon Air currently flies nonstop to Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and Las Vegas. In addition, Horizon is part of the Alaska Air Group and has partnerships with Alaska Airlines, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Era Aviation, KLM, LAN Chile, Northwest Airlines, PenAir, and Quantas. Many connections can be made through SEA, PDX, and LAX on Horizan Air and its partners.
STS is the closest and most convenient airport for travelers to and from the Wine Country. It has shorter lines and is easy to navigate. You can save yourself a stressful and unpredictable two-hour drive by flying locally. Parking is less expensive and only a short walk to the terminal. The airfares for flying out of STS are competitive with other airports especially when time and convenience are factored in.
The Airport is in ongoing talks with several carriers. Destinations we would like to service include San Diego, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix.
No. Smoking is not allowed inside or within 20 feet of any Sonoma County governmental building.
The Sonoma County Airport code is STS.
The FAA operates STS's ATCT and the Federal government employs the staff.
The Airport is owned and operated by the County of Sonoma and is a division of the Department of Transportation and Public Works.
There are a variety of business opportunities available at the Airport. One is to rent space in which to conduct a business. The Airport has office and warehouse space available for aviation-related and other types of business. Contact the Airport Manager's Office at (707) 565-7243 to inquire about available space.
There are also business opportunities for contractors, vendors, professional services, and others. To receive notice of upcoming Airport projects, visit the Current Airport Projects page of the Transportation & Public Works website and sign up for email alerts when new projects are posted.
Sonoma County Airport is owned by the County of Sonoma and operated by Transportation & Public Works Department. Visit the Purchasing page in the General Services Department website for information about doing business with the Airport and the County of Sonoma.
Tickets can be purchased in the terminal during the time that the check-in counter is staffed. However, the counter is staffed only during departure activities and not continuously all day. The check-in counter closes 30 minutes prior to a flight's departure.
Tickets can be purchased at horizonair.com and by calling Horizon Air at 1-800-547-9308 / TTY 1-800-682-2221.
Horizon Air does not have a continuously staffed public phone in the Airport Terminal. The check-in counter is staffed only during departure activities. You may leave a message for local Horizon staff at (707) 543-7100, although an immediate response cannot be guaranteed.
If you have questions about tickets, reservations, and other travel needs with Horizon Air, please call 1-800-547-9308 / TTY 1-800-682-2221.
Please contact Horizon Air at horizonair.com or call 1-800-547-9308 / TTY 1-800-682-2221 for assistance with flights and ticketing.
Please visit Horizon Air at horizonair.com or call 1-800-547-9308 / TTY 1-800-682-2221 for the latest fares and specials.
Parking is available in the convenient short-term parking lot (the first 2 hours are free) directly across the street from the Terminal. Refer to this map for parking lot locations. The Airport also has a limited number of one and two-hour parking spaces on the street near the entrance to the Terminal. A loading zone at the Terminal curb allows for quick pick-ups and drop-offs. Unattended vehicles in the loading zone will be cited.
There is no limit in the short-term or long-term parking lots. If you park in a time-limited parking spot on the street for longer than the designated time, your vehicle will be ticketed.
No.
Yes. However, if the long-term lot is full, you will then need to park in the short-term lot. It should be noted that the daily rate of $8.00 per day is charged in the long-term lot regardless of the amount of time spent in a 24-hour period.
Republic Parking System manages the short and long-term parking lots for the Airport. Both lots are conveniently located within walking distance of the Terminal. Republic Parking can be reached at 707-523-2186. Pay with cash at the foot station or with a credit card at all parking lot exits.
Many taxi companies serve the Airport and often wait for passengers in front of the Terminal. However, we cannot guarantee that one will always be available when needed. Please consult the local Yellow Pages to arrange taxi service either in advance or at the Airport.
Airport Express picks up at the bus shelter in front of the terminal to the left of the entrance. Please do not stop or park in this bus stop parking zone, leave it clear for buses. For a complete list of schedules, fares, and stops, refer to the Airport Express website.
Yes. Pure Luxury Limousine (1-800-620-5466) offers limousine and shuttle service from participating hotels to and from the Airport.
You're allowed one carry-on bag, which can measure up to 10" H x 17" W x 24" L (25 x 43 x 61 cm), plus one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer. At least one of the items should be stowed under the seat in front of you.
Passengers who are checking baggage are advised to arrive 90 minutes before departure in order to check in and pass through Security in a timely manner. The check in counter closes 30 minutes before posted departure. If you have not checked your bags and have your boarding pass in hand 30 minutes prior to departure, you risk missing your flight.
There is a $20 charge per bag for the first three bags checked. For four or more bags there is a $50 per bag fee. Refer to Horizon Air Checked Baggage for more information about checked baggage and baggage fees.
Horizon Air suggests you fill out this identification form and place it inside your baggage as well as keeping current ID securely attached to the outside of your baggage.
Wine is allowed in checked baggage but not in carry-on bags. Horizon Air will accept a case of up to 12 bottles of wine per passenger as checked baggage at no extra charge from customers on flights departing Sonoma County. Many local wineries sell packaging materials for checking or shipping wine.
There is no restriction on the amount of alcohol you may pack in your checked luggage, provided it contains under 24% alcohol by volume (e.g. beer and wine). Alcohol greater than 24% up to and including 70% (140 proof) is allowed with the following restrictions:
Alcohol over 70% (140 proof) is prohibited.
Wine Skins, leakproof packaging for single bottles of wine in checked baggage, are available for purchase in terminal vending machines, online, and in many shops and wineries.
For guidelines, fees, and restrictions regarding traveling with pets visit Horizon Air's website. See the Disabled Services section above for information about traveling with service animals.
Federal law prohibits the transport of any marijuana on any flight including flights within the state of California.
Trinity Technology Group, a contractor for TSA is in charge of security screening at Sonoma County Airport. For information about prohibited items, acceptable ID, traveling with food or gifts, and more, visit TSA.gov.
Visit TSA's web page about what can and cannot be checked in carry-on and checked baggage.
Yes. For more information about traveling with battery-powered electronic devises, visit TSA's page about traveling with electronics.
Yes, but fees and restrictions may apply. Please review Horizon's guidelines for complete information regarding children traveling alone. If a child's itinerary includes non-Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air flights, please check with that airline directly regarding their policies, fees, and age limits.
Security Officers are present at the Airport. The security team partners with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department in the event of illegal or suspicious activity.
Please refer to TSA.gov for ID Requirements for Airport Checkpoints. The absence of proper identification will result in additional screening.
If you are flying within the U.S. you do not need a passport in order to board a plane. However, passports are government issued forms of identification that can be used when checking in to your flight.
TSA guidelines state that, "All food must go through the X-ray machine. Do NOT bring food to the security checkpoint unwrapped. Food must be wrapped or in a container. Unpeeled natural foods like fruit are okay, but half-eaten fruits must be wrapped." Beverages purchased after the security checkpoint can also be brought onto the plane. TSA regulations prohibit bringing any beverages in containers over 3 ounces through the security checkpoint.
Visit Horizon's flight status page or call Horizon Air at 1-800-547-9308 to see current schedules.
Call Horizon Air at 1-800-547-9308 or visit Horizon's flight status page for information about arrival times and delays. Knowing the flight number makes flight tracking easier.
There are also a number of free online flight-checking websites that allow you to track flights in real time. FlightStats is one of them.
You can meet arriving passengers inside the Terminal, outside at the gate between the restaurant patio and the Terminal, or in front of the Terminal.
Currently, luggage may only be checked at the check-in counter in the Terminal. The check in counter closes 30 minutes prior to the departure of a flight.
Horizon recommends passengers with checked bags arrive 90 minutes before departure and 60 minutes prior with carry on only.It is a small airport, but the flights connect to large hub airports. It takes time to screen and board passengers. It is important to get everyone on board in a timely manner so the aircraft can depart on time. Too often we see passengers who cut it too close miss their flights. We don't like to see this happen.
Give yourself plenty of time to get to the Airport and through Security, unexpected delays can happen anywhere. Do not risk missing your flight!
Yes, under certain conditions. If a passenger requires an escort due to disability or age, an escort must obtain a security pass at the check in counter and go through security screening to accompany the passenger to the boarding area. Security passes are limited and typically one pass is issued per passenger requiring an escort. For information about children traveling alone, visit horizonair.com or call 1-800-547-9308.
Horizon Air is pleased to provide assistance for travelers who require Mobility/Wheelchair assistance. To provide the optimal experience for Horizon travelers, it is recommended that all travelers:
For complete information and services offered, visit Horizon's website.
Yes. Please refer to TSA's website regarding traveling with service animals.
Horizon Air asks that you report any irregularity concerning baggage to the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Baggage Service Office at your arrival airport. All reports should be made in-person and within 24 hours of arrival time. Failure to report baggage mishandling of any type will result in a denial of compensation.
Horizon's lost baggage and message line at Sonoma County Airport is (707) 543-7100. For more information, contact Horizon's Central Baggage Service office at 1-877-815-8253 or visit the Baggage Services page of the Alaska Airlines / Horizon Air website.
Please note that it is important to retain copies of your ticket, baggage claim check, and any receipts you may have accumulated for expenses incurred relating to your claim. Horizon Air suggests you fill out this form and place it inside your baggage as well as securely attaching current ID on the outside of your baggage.
There are several numbers to call if you lose an item at Sonoma County Airport:
Horizon Air's local baggage and message line: (707) 543-7100
Airport Manager's Office Lost and Found: (707) 565-7243
Lost in the Sky Lounge Steakhouse Restaurant: (707) 542-9400
Lost in a parking lot - Republic Parking (707) 523-2186
To locate items left onboard a Horizon Air or Alaska Airlines flight, fill out this online form (preferred method) or call (208) 383-3167.
Alaska Airlines / Horizon Air's lost baggage line is 1-877-815-8253 , or online at Baggage Services.
For questions about baggage inspected by Security, call 1-866-289-9673.
For items left at the restaurant, please call the restaurant at 707-542-9400.
Call Republic Parking at 707-523-2186 for items lost in the parking lot.
Terminal hours are 4:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
STS is a 24-hour facility. The Air Traffic Control Tower operates from 7:00 am until 8:00 pm, seven days a week.
Office hours are M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Walker Group manages Airport advertising in the Terminal. Contact THE WALKER GROUP directly at (707) 538-4088 or info [at] walker-group [dot] com.
There are two FBOs at the Airport, KaiserAir and Sonoma Jet Center. Both offer a wide variety of services, including fuel and aircraft maintenance. KaiserAir can be reached at (707) 528-7400 and Sonoma Jet Center at (707) 523-2800. Visit the Partners page for a complete list of Airport tenants and associates.
There are a variety of business opportunities available at the Airport. One is to rent space in which to conduct a business. The Airport has office and warehouse space available for aviation-related and other types of business. Contact the Airport Manager's Office at (707) 565-7243 to inquire about available space.
There are also business opportunities for contractors, vendors, professional services, and others. To receive notice of upcoming Airport projects, visit the Current Airport Projects page of the Transportation & Public Works website and sign up for email alerts when new projects are posted.
Sonoma County Airport is owned by the County of Sonoma and operated by Transportation & Public Works Department. Visit the Purchasing page in the General Services Department website for information about doing business with the Airport and the County of Sonoma.
To charter a plane, contact KaiserAir at (707) 528-7400 or Solairus Aviation at (415) 897-4522.
The FAA directs traffic into and out of the Airport. Flights are directed to the safest pattern depending on the amount of air traffic and prevailing winds at the time of arrival or departure. Safety is the FAA's first consideration. However, aircraft can and do fly over all parts of Sonoma County.
No. Jet aircraft are allowed to, and do, operate out of STS. During daytime operations, 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, no aircraft shall operate from STS that exceeds 83.2 dba. For nighttime operations, 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, the noise level shall not exceed 72.0 dba. An aircraft is rated by its take-off noise level per the FAA Advisory Circular 36-3.
Aircraft are directed by the ATCT within a 5-mile radius of the Airport based on safety, prevailing winds, and the amount of traffic at the time. Aircraft arrive from all directions; for safe operations, they must take off and land into the wind. Wind direction charges by season and time of day. This may often place aircraft over residential areas. Pilots are asked to fly friendly by using appropriate procedures in order to reduce noise over sensitive areas around the Airport.
Yes. Sonoma County does not contain any No Fly Zones.
Yes. The exemptions are:
The Airport has a Noise Management Program that offers noise management procedures and Airport noise limits. Pilots are requested to ensure that their aircraft comply with these limits prior to operating at the Airport. There are daytime noise limits and much stricter nighttime noise limits. In addition, pilots are asked to avoid overflying residential areas to the extent traffic and safety permits. Safety always supercedes noise management procedures.
Neighbors who are disturbed by loud flying aircraft or other types of operations are encouraged to call the Airport's Complaint Line at (707) 544-4787. This line is connected to a digital recorder that takes messages 24 hours per day, seven days a week. One call equals one complaint regardless the number of aircraft detailed. In addition, complaints will be accepted by phone, voice mail, fax, or a personal visit to the Airport office.
If a specific aircraft is identified through the investigation process, the aircraft owner will be notified that their operation generated a complaint and they will be asked to fly in a neighborly fashion. They will also receive a noise management brochure that has current guidelines that we ask pilots to follow. If the operation is in violation of the Airport's noise limitations, a letter will be sent to the owner of the aircraft informing them of the violation and that future visits of that aircraft may result in fines.
Additionally, if the aircraft appears to have violated FAA Regulations, the incident will be turned over to the FAA for their investigation and action. The Aviation Commission reviews all complaints at their regularly scheduled meetings. In addition, all complaints received are presented annually to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors for their review.
An Airport Master Plan is a study used to determine the long-term development requirements for an airport. Two main components of the proposed Airport Master Plan Update are the construction of a new Terminal to serve passenger's needs, and the extension of the main runway to 6,000 feet. Visit the Airport Master Plan Update pages for more information about plans for the Airport.
The primary goal of an airport master plan is to provide guidance for future airport development, which will provide the facilities needed to satisfy forecast demand, while at the same time balancing the need for airport improvements with local concerns.
An Airport Master Plan typically covers a twenty (20) year time period. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that airport owners or sponsors, such as the County of Sonoma, update airport master plans every 10 years. The previous Master Plan for STS was completed in 1998.
The components of an airport master plan are established by the FAA. They include an inventory, surveys, and data collection; aviation activity forecasts; demand and capacity analysis; determination of facility requirements; identification of issues; development of alternatives and concepts; a financial plan; environmental review/analysis; an implementation plan; and the updating of Airport Layout Plan (ALP) documents in accordance with Federal airport operating and design standards.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends updating Airport Master Plans every 10 years. The County initiated this master plan update to plan for the safe and efficient operation of STS, while addressing airport improvement needs as well as community concerns.
The County of Sonoma, as the owner and operator of the Sonoma County Airport, determines how STS will be developed. The FAA provides guidance in order to ensure that proposed airport facilities meet important safety standards.
No. The Master Plan update actually forecasts lower numbers of based aircraft, lower levels of aircraft operations, and lower numbers of passengers than the forecasts that were used for the General Plan Air Transportation Element (ATE) and the Sonoma County Comprhensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). A comparison of the three forecasts is provided below*:
|
Document |
ATE |
CLUP |
DAMP** |
|
Based Aircraft |
800 |
*** |
447 |
|
Operations |
|||
|
General Aviation |
240,000 |
210,000**** |
156,094 |
|
Airlines |
15,200 |
15,000 |
7,716 |
|
Total Operations |
255,200 |
225,000 |
163,810 |
|
Passengers |
573,000 |
*** |
524,746 |
| *Forecast years through 2020 ** DAMP = Draft Airport Master Plan *** This item not forecasted in the CLUP **** The CLUP forecasts are though 2010 only |
|||
No. The draft Master Plan update does not forecast or call for an expansion of the number of aircraft or the level of activity at STS beyond the limits that were adopted in the Sonoma County General Plan Air Transportation Element (ATE).
The Master Plan consultant analyzed existing facilities and forecast demand for a twenty-year period into the future. Several facility requirements were identified for STS, including extensions of runways 14 and 19, construction of a runway 32 service road, construction of an aircraft rescue and firefighting building, construction of a terminal, rehabilitation of apron areas, relocation of the Air Traffic Control Tower, installation of lights on runway 1-19, and several other projects necessary to maintain current facilities. Several alternative scenarios were developed using various layouts and locations for development. The various recommendations will be analyzed with the goal of maximizing safety and operational efficiency, while minimizing costs and environmental impacts.
No. Longer runways are needed to accommodate 50 to 70-seat Regional Jet (RJ) aircraft that are smaller than the Q-400 used by Horizon Air. Most airlines wishing to provide service to our community would like to start out using Regional Jets. RJs are quiet technology aircraft that meet the limits established in the ATE. Due to the performance characteristics of some of the RJs, longer runways are needed in order to (1) provide service at STS, and (2) to increase the number of destinations available from STS.
The runway lengths chosen by the County for further study are a compromise. Longer runways could have been justified based on historical temperatures and their effect on aircraft performance.
There will be no direct costs to the taxpayers of Sonoma County because airport development is paid for through a mix of both federal and local airport funds. These funds include Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Funds from the FAA. AIP Funds are derived from taxes on national and international travel, air cargo taxes, and noncommercial aviation fuel. Ultimately, it is the users of STS who fund the local share for improvements through rent, fees, passenger facility charges and purchases at STS.
| Currently, funding for the majority of the projects is as follows: | ||
|
Contributor |
Percent to Total |
|
|
Federal Aviation Administration |
95% |
|
|
Sonoma County Airport |
5% |
|
Currently, Gulfstream 500s, Global Express jets, and the Boeing Business Jet, (a version of the Boeing 737), are the largest aircraft that operate at STS. These jets are among the quietest aircraft that use STS. These modern aircraft are used for corporate/business activity and have wingspans of approximately 115 feet. Larger aircraft are not anticipated at STS in the future because of runway weight restrictions.
At STS, Runway 14/32 is the preferred runway for takeoffs and landings for the following reasons:
Comments can be made at upcoming public meetings or by using the Airport comment form.
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The Board of Supervisors was first asked to accept the Master Plan update as substantially complete in December 2008.That step was needed to start the environmental process and close out the grants with the FAA.The Board of Supervisors cannot approve the Master Plan until the environmental review is complete. It is anticipated the environmental review will be completed in 2010 and the action to approve the Master Plan update in its entirety will take place in late 2010 or early 2011.
The Master Plan update itself does not cause or result in an increase in aviation activity, however the Master Plan update does forecast an increase in aviation activity. As noted above, the draft Airport Master Plan update forecasts lower numbers of based aircraft, lower levels of aircraft operations, and lower numbers of passengers than the forecasts used for the Sonoma County General Plan Air Transportation Element (ATE) and the Sonoma County Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).
The purpose of purchasing additional land is to protect the approaches to the runways and to provide a noise buffer.
STS continues to talk with Horizon Air and other airlines about adding new destinations to the schedule. Currently Horizon Air provides service to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle. There is great demand for service to San Diego and to an eastern hub like Denver, Salt Lake City, or Phoenix, both as destinations and for the connectivity. It is anticipated that San Diego may be added to the schedule within the next few years. There is no time frame for adding an eastern hub at this time.
The runway extension itself does not go over Redwood Creek; however, the extended runway safety area will go over the creek and necessitate the culverting of approximately 1,200 to 1,500 lineal feet of Redwood Creek. Note that there will be no impact to Mark West Creek as a result of the Master Plan Update and runway extension.
Comments are accepted throughout the Master Plan update process. They can be made at upcoming public meetings or by using the Airport comment form.
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If you were unable to quickly find the information you are looking for, go to the Site Map link listed at the bottom of each page.
If the website or FAQ sections (Airport and Master Plan) did not answer your questions, you may send questions and comments using the form on the Contact page. If we are unable to provide an answer we will refer you to the appropriate agency.