Fresno, Santa Rosa and Monterey will now get direct daily service from Lindbergh Field, provided by Alaska Airlines.
The flights leave from the commuter terminal on a propeller plane that seats up to 76 people. In a promotional flourish, Alaska Airlines has painted one of their aircraft in Aztec Colors.
A spokesperson for the airline said the service keeps with Alaska's focus on north-south routes along the West Coast. Intra-state air service must compete with cheaper trips by car. Promoters of high-speed rail also say bullet trains are better suited to cover short distances to smaller markets.
But the future of high-speed rail is in question. A new Los Angeles Times poll shows that 59 percent of Californians today would vote against funding high-speed rail.
Alaska Airlines describes San Diego as an expansion site for its operations. The airline already offers flights to Hawaii, and in the Fall they plan to begin service to Orlando, Fla.
