Last Updated on July 27, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Columbia, South Carolina, the state capital, is known for its history, culture, and convenient air access provided by Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). CAE set back-to-back passenger records—welcoming 1,371,977 travelers in 2025—and 2026 brings fresh route news, making it the perfect time for an updated guide on which airlines actually fly out of Columbia today.
Quick Answer
As of 2026, three major legacy airlines fly out of Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE): American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. Together, they offer direct flights to major hubs including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Newark, New York (LGA), Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. There are currently no operating low-cost carriers or direct international flights from CAE.
Key Takeaways
- Only three airlines serve CAE in 2026: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
- American Airlines offers the widest route network, including reinstated twice-daily service to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) as of May 21, 2026.
- Low-cost carriers Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines both exited the CAE market after brief runs in 2025–2026.
- CAE has no direct international flights; international travel requires connecting through a major carrier hub or driving to nearby Charlotte (CLT).
- CAE set an all-time passenger record in 2025 with 1,371,977 travelers.
This article breaks down each airline serving CAE, their current nonstop destinations, recent changes in low-cost service, and practical strategies for planning a seamless trip out of Columbia’s home airport.
Major Airlines Serving Columbia SC
American Airlines: The Widest Route Map
American Airlines is the largest carrier operating out of CAE, providing nonstop service to Charlotte (CLT), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA), New York LaGuardia (LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), and Washington Reagan National (DCA). On May 21, 2026, American officially resumed twice-daily nonstop service to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) using 65-seat Embraer 170 aircraft. The Dallas route remains CAE’s longest nonstop flight, covering approximately 919 miles in about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Delta Air Lines: Atlanta and New York Connections
Delta Air Lines operates frequent nonstop flights from CAE to its mega-hub in Atlanta (ATL), along with daily service to New York LaGuardia (LGA). The Atlanta connection is the most heavily traveled route from Columbia, offering seamless onward access to Delta’s global domestic and international network.
United Airlines: Newark, Dulles, and Chicago
United Airlines links Columbia to key East Coast and Midwest hubs, operating daily flights to Newark Liberty International (EWR), Washington Dulles (IAD), and Chicago O’Hare (ORD). These routes give Midlands travelers direct access to United’s major transatlantic and domestic connection points.
At a Glance: CAE Nonstop Destinations by Airline
| American Airlines | Charlotte, Chicago (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York (LGA), Philadelphia, Washington (DCA) |
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, New York (LGA) |
| United Airlines | Chicago (ORD), Newark, Washington (IAD) |
Regional and Connecting Service
All nonstop flights at CAE are booked directly through the three major legacy carriers. Depending on the route and season, flights may be operated by mainline aircraft or by regional partners flying under regional brands such as American Eagle, Delta Connection, or United Express. Passengers check in, handle baggage, and manage bookings directly with American, Delta, or United.
Note: Flight schedules and specific aircraft types can vary by season. Always confirm your flight operator and equipment type during booking.
What Happened to Low-Cost Service at Columbia SC?
Columbia has seen low-cost airline options come and go. In 2025, CAE expanded budget options by welcoming both Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air. Spirit briefly served Columbia before exiting due to company-wide financial restructuring. Allegiant launched nonstop Florida routes in May 2025 to Sanford and Fort Lauderdale, but ended service on May 4, 2026, citing lower-than-expected route performance.
As of mid-2026, CAE has no active low-cost or ultra-low-cost carrier, though airport management continues to actively recruit budget carriers to serve the Midlands region.
Warning: Neither Southwest, Allegiant, nor Spirit currently fly out of CAE. Southwest has never operated from Columbia, and both Allegiant and Spirit discontinued service by May 2026.
International Travel & Alternate Nearby Airports
Columbia Metropolitan Airport does not offer direct international passenger flights. Travelers heading abroad connect through major domestic hubs—such as Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), Dallas (DFW), Newark (EWR), or Washington Dulles (IAD)—or consider driving to nearby regional airports:
- Charlotte Douglas International (CLT): Located roughly 1.5 hours north (90 miles) via I-77, CLT offers extensive direct international service to Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
- Charleston International Airport (CHS): Located about 1.5 hours southeast via I-26, offering additional low-cost carrier options (Breeze Airways, Southwest).
Tips for Choosing the Right Airline from Columbia SC
Because CAE is served by three major legacy alliance carriers, deciding on an airline depends on your final destination and travel style:
- Compare total travel cost: Factor in seat selection, carry-on, and checked bag fees across American, Delta, and United.
- Check schedule frequency: Atlanta (ATL) and Charlotte (CLT) feature the highest daily flight frequencies, offering the most flexibility for onward connections.
- Leverage airline alliances: Stick with your primary loyalty network (Oneworld for American, SkyTeam for Delta, Star Alliance for United) to earn elite status credits and perks.
- Allow extra hub buffer time: When connecting to an international flight at a major hub, schedule a layover of at least 2 hours to accommodate potential regional delays.
Pro Tip: Security lines at CAE move exceptionally fast—TSA wait times rarely exceed 10–15 minutes. Choosing CAE over a long drive to Charlotte often saves significant stress and time on morning departures.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Columbia Metropolitan Airport provides reliable, stress-free connectivity through three major network carriers: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. While low-cost service and direct international routes are currently unavailable at CAE, nonstop links to major East Coast, Midwest, and Texas hubs make traveling from Columbia efficient and convenient. By comparing full ticket costs, evaluating connection times, and choosing the right hub, you can enjoy a smooth journey out of Columbia’s hometown airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What airlines fly out of Columbia SC?
As of 2026, three major airlines fly out of Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE): American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
Which destinations can I fly to nonstop from Columbia SC?
CAE offers nonstop service to Charlotte, Chicago (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York (LaGuardia), Philadelphia, Washington D.C. (Reagan National and Dulles), Atlanta, and Newark.
Are there any international flights from Columbia SC?
No. CAE does not offer direct international flights. Passengers connect through hub airports like Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, or Newark, or drive to Charlotte Douglas International (CLT).
Does Southwest, Spirit, or Allegiant fly from Columbia SC?
Southwest has never served CAE. Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines operated flights out of Columbia in 2025, but both carriers ended service at CAE by May 2026.
How early should I arrive for a flight at CAE?
Because security wait times at CAE are typically short (often 10–15 minutes), arriving 60 to 90 minutes before domestic departures is generally sufficient.
Sources
- Columbia Metropolitan Airport — Airlines — Official CAE route map and airline directory
- Columbia Metropolitan Airport Press Releases — Official announcement of American Airlines Chicago O’Hare service resumption
- WIS-TV News — Reporting on Allegiant Air’s market exit from Columbia in May 2026
- Lexington County Chronicle — CAE 2025 passenger traffic record and carrier history report