You’ll be able to start taking direct flights from Columbia Regional Airport (COU) to Charlotte North Carolina in June. Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe made Thursday morning’s announcement during a press conference at COU:
“We are pleased to say that celebrating our longtime airline partner American Airlines has announced daily nonstop service to their second-largest hub, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, starting June 4,” Mayor Buffaloe.
Mayor Buffaloe was joined by Boone County presiding commissioner Kip Kendrick, airport advisory board chair Randa Rawlins and others.
American Airlines says the new Charlotte route will allow mid-Missouri travelers to reach more than 300 global destinations with just one connection. The flights from Columbia to Charlotte have been years in the making, and Mayor Buffaloe tells 939 the Eagle that the deal was finalized last Thursday. Commissioner Kendrick tells 939 the Eagle that this is big for the business community and residents as well:
“Having American trust in COU (Columbia Regional Airport) that this will be successful is important, but Charlotte is going to open up a lot more destinations up and down the East coast as well as international flights as well,” Commissioner Kendrick says.
Columbia city manager De’Carlon Seewood also attended the press conference. Seewood says Charlotte has been a destination that regional travelers have repeatedly expressed interest in, and calls today’s announcement an important milestone for COU.
American currently flies to Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago, and United Airlines flies to Chicago O’Hare and Denver. Las Vegas-based Allegiant Airlines plans to begin service from COU to Orlando and to Destin Florida in June 2026.