Alaska Airlines will fly direct daily from Santa Barbara to San Diego starting Nov. 20, Santa Barbara Airport announced Aug. 4.

Alaska Airlines already offers daily service from Santa Barbara to Seattle and Portland. The new flight reduces travel between San Diego and Santa Barbara from a car trip that can take anywhere from four to eight hours, depending on traffic, to a one-hour flight. Advance booking is already available.

The new service was delayed by COVID-19, which rocked the airline industry to its core as people were encouraged to stay home and avoid traveling. Three of the six airlines that serve Santa Barbara Airport have suspended all their flights to and from the airport.

In its news release announcing the San Diego flights, Santa Barbara Airport described the new flights as a sign of optimism that the industry will be able to move forward despite the virus.

“Now, one of the best locations for business and leisure is within reach,” Airport Director Henry Thompson in the release.

The flights from San Diego to Santa Barbara will leave at 3:05 p.m. and arrive at 4:05 p.m., while the return flight will leave Santa Barbara at 4:45 p.m. and arrive in San Diego at 5:40 p.m. The service will be provided by an Alaska Airlines Embraer-175, which can seat 76 people.