Normally nonstop flights are not offered to the West Coast at Harrisburg International Airport but American Airlines has added a flight to Phoenix Arizona on New Year’s Eve.

The reason why comes down to two words: bowl game.

Penn State fans flying to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl will be able to take a nonstop flight from Harrisburg International Airport in Lower Swatara Township.

American Airlines will offer the nonstop flight New Year’s Eve from HIA to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and a return flight on New Year’s Day, the airport announced. Airport officials said that seats are limited and flights can be booked at www.aa.com.

Penn State will take on Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl at 7:30 p.m. EST at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated SMU by a score of 38-10 on Saturday.

Including seasonal routes, there are 17 nonstop destinations from HIA but none are on the West Coast. American Airlines nonstop destinations from HIA include Dallas, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Charlotte.

This season, Division 1 and Division III football teams have flown out of HIA.

Avflight has provided the following: a charter flight to the UCLA football team after its game on Oct. 5 at Penn State; a charter flight to the Penn State football team to Los Angeles International Airport for its game against USC on Oct. 12; a charter flight for the Washington football team to Seattle following its game at Penn State on Oct. 26; a charter flight for the Susquehanna University football team to Minneapolis and back after defeating St. John’s University on Dec. 7; a charter flight for Bethel University’s playoff game against Susquehanna University on Dec. 14 and for Susquehanna University’s flight to Chicago for its national semi-final matchup against North Central College.

Avflight also facilitated scheduled charters for SMU fans and their band for the playoff game against Penn State on December 21.

Delta Airlines also added flights this year between Harrisburg and Seattle for Washington fans attending the October 12 Penn State game, and between Harrisburg and Minneapolis for fans attending the November 23 Penn State game.

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