SBA

$74 Find Cheap Flights to Santa Barbara

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight to Santa Barbara departing on 12/3. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Santa Barbara

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results for flights to Santa Barbara
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results for flights to Santa Barbara
Travelers love KAYAK
41 299 237 searches in the past 7 days on KAYAK

Save 24% or moreCompare multiple travel sites with one search.

Track pricesNot ready to book? Create a price alert for when prices drop.

Bundle and saveSave money when you bundle your flight + hotel.

Filter your dealsChoose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more.

Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$136
Overall average: $358
Alaska Airlines
Sat 12/13Tue 12/16
SEA - SBA • Non-stop
Cheapest one-way
$74
Typical prices: $172-$318
Delta
Wed 12/3
SEA - SBA • 1 stop
Our travelers' advice
AI-generated summary based on content written by travel experts
Delta's Comfort Plus offers extra legroom for comfort.
United's Economy Plus provides more legroom for comfort.
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Top airlines
American Airlines
Most flights • 71 per week
Alaska Airlines
Best reviews • 8.0 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
Top routes
SEA-SBA
Cheapest
SFO-SBA
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
October
Cheapest • 18% price drop
April
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
Start a new search
KAYAK searches 100s of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to Santa Barbara!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to Santa Barbara

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights to Santa Barbara that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals to Santa Barbara

Sat, Dec 13 - Tue, Dec 16
Alaska Airlines Logo
3:55 pm - 6:25 pmSEA-SBA
2h 30mnonstop
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:19 pm - 10:04 pmSBA-SEA
2h 45mnonstop
$136Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Dec 13 - Wed, Dec 17
Alaska Airlines Logo
3:55 pm - 6:25 pmSEA-SBA
2h 30mnonstop
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:19 pm - 10:04 pmSBA-SEA
2h 45mnonstop
$137Alaska Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Dec 13 - Tue, Dec 16
Southwest Logo
6:15 am - 10:25 amSEA-SBA
4h 10m1 stop
Southwest Logo
5:50 am - 4:30 pmSBA-SEA
10h 40m2 stops
$162Southwest
Find Deal
Wed, Dec 3 - Sun, Dec 7
Delta Logo
5:25 am - 11:59 amSEA-SBA
6h 34m1 stop
Delta Logo
4:59 pm - 12:20 amSBA-SEA
7h 21m1 stop
$172Delta
Find Deal
Thu, Dec 4 - Wed, Dec 10
Southwest Logo
6:15 am - 10:30 amSEA-SBA
4h 15m1 stop
Southwest Logo
5:50 am - 11:55 amSBA-SEA
6h 05m1 stop
$174Southwest
Find Deal
Tue, Dec 9 - Tue, Dec 16
United Airlines Logo
8:25 am - 9:42 amSFO-SBA
1h 17mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
10:40 am - 12:00 pmSBA-SFO
1h 20mnonstop
$189United Airlines
Find Deal
Wed, Jan 28 - Wed, Jan 28
United Airlines Logo
8:25 am - 9:49 amSFO-SBA
1h 24mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
2:31 pm - 5:47 pmSBA-SFO
3h 16m1 stop
$199United Airlines
Find Deal
Sat, Feb 21 - Tue, Feb 24
Delta Logo
3:59 pm - 9:55 pmDEN-SBA
6h 56m1 stop
Delta Logo
1:19 pm - 9:06 pmSBA-DEN
6h 47m1 stop
$224Delta
Find Deal
Sun, Jan 4 - Thu, Apr 30
American Airlines Logo
5:00 am - 9:43 amORD-SBA
6h 43m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
7:48 pm - 6:28 amSBA-ORD
8h 40m1 stop
$289American Airlines
Find Deal
Tue, Feb 17 - Tue, Feb 24
American Airlines Logo
7:59 am - 4:12 pmJFK-SBA
11h 13m1 stop
American Airlines Logo
12:39 pm - 10:59 pmSBA-JFK
7h 20m1 stop
$289American Airlines
Find Deal
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for flights to Santa Barbara

Get data-powered insights and trends for flights to Santa Barbara to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest flight to Santa Barbara?

These are the best round-trip prices found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 72 hours.

In the last 3 days, the cheapest flight deal to Santa Barbara was found on the route from Seattle, at $74 one-way and $136 return. The most popular connection is from San Francisco to Santa Barbara and KAYAK users have found round-trip deals for as low as $189 in the last 3 days.

How much is a flight to Santa Barbara?

The average and cheapest price for all round-trip flights to Santa Barbara from each origin found by users searching on KAYAK in the last month.

On average, a flight to Santa Barbara costs $322. The cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks cost $72 and departed from Denver. The most popular routes on KAYAK are San Francisco to Santa Barbara which costs $470 on average, and Phoenix to Santa Barbara, which costs $338 on average.

See prices from:

What is the cheapest month to fly to Santa Barbara?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for flights to Santa Barbara, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights to Santa Barbara is September, where tickets cost $346 on average for one-way flights. On the other hand, the most expensive months are January and December, where the average cost of tickets from the United States is $700 and $653 respectively. For return trips, the best month to travel is October with an average price of $397.

What is a good deal for flights to Santa Barbara?

If you’re looking for cheap airfare to Santa Barbara, 25% of our users found tickets to Santa Barbara for the following prices or less: From Denver $146 one-way - $267 round-trip, from San Francisco $154 one-way - $309 round-trip, from Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Airport $169 one-way - $187 round-trip.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight to Santa Barbara

 
Snippets provided in this section are AI-generated based on a summarization of KAYAK-commissioned articles. The articles are presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the articles are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Airlines
United Airlines

United's Economy Plus offers up to 6 inches more legroom, ideal for added comfort.


Check United's Wi-Fi coverage map before flights to assess internet quality and availability.

American Airlines

Consider Main Cabin Extra for early boarding (Group 5) and complimentary drinks on longer flights.


Download the American Airlines app for in-flight entertainment on domestic flights without seatback screens.

Delta

Delta's Comfort Plus offers up to 3 inches more legroom, enhancing comfort on medium-haul flights.


Free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members on most domestic Delta flights; sign up onboard if needed.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska's Premium Class offers priority boarding and complimentary drinks on flights over 350 miles.


Alaska's Wine Flies Free program allows free wine case check-in from select airports.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian's Premium Economy offers 4-5 inches more legroom, ideal for taller passengers.


Enjoy free Wi-Fi on Hawaiian's Airbus A321neo, perfect for staying connected during flights.

Our travel experts
Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines and Delta

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Read more
Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines

Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Harriet is an award-winning journalist who is happiest in an airport or an unusual museum. Her stories about airports, air travel, and the business of travel have appeared on NBC News, CNBC, USA TODAY, The Points Guy and other outlets. She is the creator of the StuckatTheAirport.com blog and the author of nine books. When not out on the road or exploring the latest airport amenities, she’s home in Seattle getting ready for the next adventure.

Read more
Chris Dong

Chris Dong

Expert on Hawaiian Airlines

Chris Dong

Chris Dong

Chris is a consumer travel reporter covering aviation, trending travel news, hotels, and loyalty programs—all for leading global publications like Travel + Leisure, The Washington Post, AFAR, and more. In addition to writing, Chris is a video host for Travel + Leisure, giving consumers an inside look at the latest in air travel.

Read more

Good to know - Book Cheap Santa Barbara Plane Tickets

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flight$74
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 2% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 1% increase in price.
Flight from Seattle to Santa Barbara

When to book flights to Santa Barbara

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel to Santa Barbara based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. The information is for flights to Santa Barbara based on your location. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

FAQs - booking Santa Barbara flights

  • Can I use public transportation to go from Santa Barbara Airport to the city’s downtown?

    If you would like to use public transportation to travel from Santa Barbara Airport to the city center, it is best to take the local bus. You will find a public bus stop on Moffett Road directly across from the Arrivals terminal, and this line will take you to State Street. One-way tickets cost $1.75.

  • Which hotels are closest to Santa Barbara Airport?

    For travelers wishing to stay in a casual hotel, select the Hampton Inn, which is less than 2 miles from Santa Barbara Airport and 12 miles from the popular El Capitan State Beach. To have a more luxurious experience, book a room with the 4-star Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, which is a 20-minute drive from the airport and is directly across the street from East Beach.

  • Does Santa Barbara Airport have any complimentary phones for travelers?

    If you need to make a call to a local number, head to the Arrivals terminal of Santa Barbara Airport in order to use one of the TDD Courtesy Phones. These phones can call all local numbers for free, and they can also connect you with an operator.

  • Is there anywhere to smoke at Santa Barbara Airport?

    Santa Barbara Airport prides itself on being completely smoke-free, meaning that you will not find any smoking rooms inside of its terminals. If you need to smoke a cigarette or use a smoking device, you will have to leave the main building and stand a minimum of 50 feet from its doors.

  • Which flight options do I have from Seattle to Santa Barbara?

    For passengers flying from Seattle to Santa Barbara, consider flying with a direct or connecting flight. If you are hurrying to Santa Barbara, consider flying with Alaska Airlines since they offer direct flights to SBA. For passengers who want flights with one layover stop, consider flying with Southwest Airlines, American, or United.

  • Which cities in the United States offer direct flights to Santa Barbara?

    Various cities in the United States offer direct flights to Santa Barbara Airport. For instance, those in Phoenix (PHX) and Dallas (DFW) can board American Airlines, while those in Las Vegas (LAS), Denver (DEN), and Oakland (OAK) can fly with Southwest Airlines. Additionally, you can board United Airlines in San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX).

  • Which services does Santa Barbara Airport offer to passengers with disabilities?

    Santa Barbara Airport ensures passengers flying into and from the airport have a great experience. The airport provides passengers with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program to help those with disabilities. SBA also allows passengers with disabilities to be accompanied by a service animal. There is also a relief area for service animals outside the north entrance of the terminal.

  • Which means of transport is more convenient for those who want to explore Santa Barbara?

    Passengers who want to enjoy the freedom of driving in Santa Barbara should consider renting a car at Santa Barbara Airport. You will find various car rental providers at the rental center at the arrivals terminal near the baggage claim. These providers include National, Avis, Hertz, and Budget.

  • What is the cheapest flight to Santa Barbara?

    In the last 3 days, the cheapest flight deal to Santa Barbara was found on the route from Seattle, at $74 one-way and $136 return. The most popular connection is from San Francisco to Santa Barbara and KAYAK users have found round-trip deals for as low as $189 in the last 3 days.

  • How far is Santa Barbara Airport from central Santa Barbara?

    You’ll need to travel 8 miles to reach the Santa Barbara city center from Santa Barbara Airport.

  • What is the name of Santa Barbara’s airport?

    There is only 1 airport in Santa Barbara, called Santa Barbara Airport (SBA). It can also be referred to as Santa Barbara or Santa Barbara Municipal.

  • How much is a flight to Santa Barbara?

    On average, a flight to Santa Barbara costs $322. The cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks cost $72 and departed from Denver Intl Airport.

  • What is the cheapest day to fly to Santa Barbara?

    Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to Santa Barbara is Wednesday where tickets can be as cheap as $416. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Sunday, where prices are $484 on average.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights to Santa Barbara?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to Santa Barbara.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket to Santa Barbara?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Santa Barbara is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights to Santa Barbara?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Santa Barbara with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight to Santa Barbara?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Santa Barbara up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Santa Barbara?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to Santa Barbara is generally at night, when flights cost $377 on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to Santa Barbara is generally in the morning, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $533.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Santa Barbara

  • Looking for cheap airfare to Santa Barbara? 25% of our users found round-trip tickets to Santa Barbara for the following prices or less: From Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl $178, from Los Angeles $203, from Dallas/Fort Worth $491
  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Santa Barbara flight deals.
  • If you have a question about the city or some of the airport’s amenities, stop by the Visitor Information Desk in the baggage claim of Santa Barbara Airport (SBA). This desk is run by Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce volunteers who will provide you with recommendations for what to see in the area as well as free maps.
  • Santa Barbara Airport is known for being small and easy to navigate, meaning that only several major airlines provide direct flights to this location. If you want to ensure that you do not have a layover and are only looking at direct flights to Santa Barbara, book your reservation with Alaska, American, Frontier, or United Airlines.
  • Having a friend or family member meet you after your flight to Santa Barbara has landed? Tell them that they can wait for you in the free Cell Phone Lot that is located off of James Fowler Road near the WWII Memorial. Once you have picked up your luggage they can come pick you up from the Arrivals terminal.
  • To rent a car from Santa Barbara Airport, go to the rental car center next to the baggage claim in the Arrivals terminal. You will find desks for 7 major companies including Budget, Hertz, and National. Thrifty also has an off-site office that is just a 3-minute drive from the airport’s main terminal.
  • For travelers that are art enthusiasts, don’t forget to enjoy the various exhibits that are located in the entrances and exits of the main building of Santa Barbara Airport. You will find several different statues, paintings, and photographs, all of which were done by local artists.
  • For those who arrive late at Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), you can spend the night at a nearby hotel. These hotels include Residence Inn Santa Barbara Goleta, Hampton Inn Santa Barbara, and Super 8 Santa Barbara. To get to the hotels, passengers can hire a taxi or drive a car rental from the airport.
  • Breastfeeding mothers arriving at Santa Barbara who need a private place to pump or breastfeed their babies can use the Mamava pod beyond the security checkpoint on the second floor. Breastfeeding women can use the Mamava app to access these units.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines flying to Santa Barbara

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying to Santa Barbara. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline from the United States to Santa Barbara. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to Santa Barbara? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
Alaska AirlinesOverall score based on 11281 reviews
7.0Entertainment
8.1Boarding
7.1Food
7.8Comfort
8.5Crew
Airline reviews

Flight from LAX to STS das excellent. Flight from DCA to LAX was troubled by the previous flight returning to the one DCA gate putting our flight in jeopardy. However another gate was arranged and that flight was a bit late, but was handled exceptionally.

10.0 ExcellentAnonymous, Nov 2025DCA - LAX
Read more Alaska Airlines reviews

Flight from LAX to STS das excellent. Flight from DCA to LAX was troubled by the previous flight returning to the one DCA gate putting our flight in jeopardy. However another gate was arranged and that flight was a bit late, but was handled exceptionally.

A very good experience - all staff was friendly and helpful.

My mother suffers from Lupus and has challenges walking. I specifically called Alaska airlines, stated her condition and made sure my mother’s had wheel char assistance towards gate and into the gate hall so she just had to get into the plane and walk a couple of steps. It was assured by Alaska team that the service was granted in both airports , DEN and SAN . In Denver , the wheelchair assistance never arrived. I had to personally grab another airline wheelchair sit my mom.Then I had to go to Alaska Airlines front desk twice to let them know my mother was waiting at the wheelchair service station. Upon arrival to SD Airport , there was no wheelchair service waiting for her in the hall before deplaning. She had to walk her way out in pain. Absolutely inconsiderate and unacceptable by the airline! Never again flying with Alaska Airlines.

You need a n/a category. Too short a flight for food. I love flying on Alaska from Santa Rosa Airport!

I would like if it had happened already. I'm still waiting for it.

Overall the flight was on-time and plane ride very comfortable. The free snacks not so good - only a small bag of pretzels and no milk. I wanted milk. There was not entertainment on the plane unless I wanted to download their APP. But I would consider flying with them again and be more prepared on my part with food and entertainment.

Waiting 2 hours after landing to arrive at a gate was ridiculous.

Almost 3 hr delay in Settle with very little information available to passengers. They boarded the plane and we waited for a long time inside the plane as well.

I was delayed several times. Missed a very important event. The airline only provided a $12 voucher after being delayed 3 times.

I was a pilot with EAL so my input maters more than the average traveler. The crew at the ticket counter were amazing. I was traveling with a frozen 20 pound turkey from our farm in Oxford Florida and they were over the top in helping me get through TSA. The gate personnel were likewise accommodating. You and Jet Blue are my favorite airlines . Would love to do an add for Alaska Airlines. Nels Siverson

Ever since Southwest starting charging for bags, passengers don't want to pay to check their bags, so the gate agents have to beg people to check their roller bags now because there's "not enough space". This was a terrible business move by Southwest.

Delays delays delays. Late taking off, late landing, wait for a gate, etc.

Connecting flight is on time and boarding was a breeze!

Very smooth checking in our luggage with a super pleasant SW agent. I enjoyed a fun entertaining movie.

First time traveling on Southwest since bag fees were implemented. Usual good service. Just more expensive now.

It was a perfect flight in all aspects! Both legs!

Boarding process, crew were good. But the seats were so uncomfortable that was all I could focus on. I literally had to sit forward so that all 3 of us could fit in row. I will try to avoid Southwest in the future for any flights over 60 minutes.

Great flight, 47 passengers on a 180 seat plane. Stewardess was pleasant and cheerful.

Great experience flying Southwest. The crew was really kind and helpful, and very friendly with our toddler.

Plane late from DC to Austin 30 minutes. Crew made up much of the time enroute to San Diego.

Staff were friendly and happy. Delta could make sure passengers that don't have the app know of changes. Without Kayak I would not have known about the change of gate or the delay. Kayak was faster to notify me.

They changed planes and the new plane couldn’t carry enough fuel to fly across the country so we had to stop in Kansas City to refuel. Flight was delayed .

Flight was too crowded and seats are too small, especially since passengrs are getting larger. Having a middle seat is ALWAYS tough! Woman on my left was large & kept creeping in to my space. Flight personnel were great! Have more savory rather than sweet snacks please.

The crew took good care of us. The flight from ATL to SFO is a longer one, and there were multiple beverage offerings. I like the 757's that Delta uses. Good airplane that is comfortable. I do wish Delta would separate Priority boarding from the better seats. I would gladly take a smaller seat in an open row than be jammed into Comfort just to get priority boarding, just to make sure I don't have to check a bag.

The crew was not very visible. This might be a good thing for people who wanted to sleep but seemed odd when compared to the Atlantic crossing where they are more present in the cabin. The Food (beef) was not good. Tough and tasteless. Would love to see more choices on a long flight like that.

Gate agent rushed to fill hot jetway with crowd so it took over 12 minutes to go from gate to plane. Just like a discount airline Pooly prepared cabin and third time that claim of rough air prevented any cabin service. Friends on a Southwest flight at similar time had service.

The flight crew was friendly. I tried to adjust my seat online ahead of time but no option existed without additional fees. My friend asked at the gate about a seat change and was able to make it happen. That was great! The flight crew moved a very tall gentleman and his companion which allowed us to have more space which was nice. Overall, good experience. Appreciated the blanket and pillow.

I was uncomfortably cold on the plane. Other than that it was uneventful and therefore as enjoyable as a plane ride can be.

Food was surprisingly good but the WiFi was not great

My flight was extremely cold. I had a jacket and a cover was left in each seat. The cover was extremely thin and I have a disability, fibromyalgia and arthrithis and AC air is the worst. I closed my vent and my husbands vent and it still was frigid. I asked the attendant if I could get another cover and she quickly almost dismissively and totally unconcerned stating, (I quote) (one per chair) and walked off so quickly that I didn't get a chance to explain to her that I literally have adisability. I didnt want to make a seen so I set on that flight for over 5 hours in pain, joints locking up and extremely uncomfortable. When my fibromyalgia flares up my joints not only ache but they will lock up also and it takes me days to get back to my regular self even though I take medication for it. I felt like it would not have hurt anyone at all for her to just give me an extra cover because I'm sure they have all types of medical issues in people that fly every day.

United needs to step up their game. Delayed flight leaving Seattle, San Francisco. Older aircraft, not very comfortable.

Plane boarded early a quickly, was mostly full. We left close to on time. And landed early.

7 hours delayed due to operational issues on United’s end. Basically laziness.

Flight was timely, relatively comfortable, with decent entertainment and food served. Only problem encountered was with the free messaging which I highly appreciate, but it did not work from iphone to non-iphones.

The internet service I paid for didn’t work at all and the flight crew was not very friendly.

Subject: Formal Complaint: Discriminatory and Unprofessional Conduct – Request for Immediate Action & Compensation Dear [Airline Customer Relations Team], I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding my recent travel experience with [Airline], which was by far the worst I have ever encountered. What occurred was not only unprofessional, but in several instances discriminatory, unsafe, and unacceptable. On the first leg of my trip, I arrived only four minutes past check-in. Instead of making any attempt to resolve the matter, your representative flatly denied me boarding and made me wait while she attended to passengers who arrived after me. By the time a manager intervened, it was too late to board, costing me time, money, and unnecessary frustration. The second leg of my trip (Chicago–San Francisco) raised even more serious concerns. From the outset, it was apparent that the staff—particularly two attendants—prioritized Caucasian passengers while dismissing African American and minority passengers. • When a Caucasian passenger in the exit row refused to comply with federal safety requirements, I, as a first responder, immediately offered to switch seats and assume the responsibility. My offer was blatantly ignored, and instead, a Caucasian passenger seated further up was chosen. This was discriminatory and deeply insulting, especially as I was actively de-escalating the situation that could have delayed the flight further. • During a lengthy tarmac delay of over 90 minutes, passengers were given conflicting and unreasonable instructions that created unnecessary distress and tension. • Throughout the flight, a visibly intoxicated passenger directly in front of me was disruptive, rude to others, failed to comply with seatbelt and electronic device rules, and yet faced no enforcement from the crew. In stark contrast, I was singled out for repeated compliance checks even though I was following every rule. This unequal treatment was so obvious that multiple passengers around me spoke up in my defense. This pattern of behavior demonstrated a clear lack of professionalism, disregard for passenger safety, and discriminatory treatment. I expect far better from an airline of your stature. As a paying customer subjected to this unacceptable treatment, I am formally requesting: 1. A full investigation into the conduct of the staff on both flights. 2. A written apology acknowledging the discriminatory and unprofessional behavior I endured. 3. Appropriate compensation for the distress, inconvenience, and mishandling of my travel. If this matter is not addressed promptly and thoroughly, I will have no choice but to escalate my complaint further, including filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation and sharing my experience through other channels. I trust [Airline] will take this complaint seriously and provide a timely resolution.

Check in was quick and easy during early hours. Flight was on time, and customer services was a plus.

The flight was comfortable with the exit row and great service

Plane was crowded and even when we hit altitude, the plane was hot, not enough air flow.

1. when we went to check in, our 2 first class seats had been CANCELED and the flight was sold out. This was done without our prior knowledge. It was all we could do to restore one first class seat for my wife and I flew economy. 2, Our flight home was scheduled to leave at 10:30 pm. Due to tsunami warnings, the roads were closed and our flight status was uncertain as to whether it would leave as scheduled. It was announced that it would now leave at 11:20 pm and the roads were now open since the tsunami had come and gone. We made a mad dash to the airport and checked in. Delays were announced at 12:30 pm, 1:30 am, 2:30 am and at 3:30 am it was canceled. Since this was a flight due to natural (tsunami) causes, there was no compensation. We were told to return at 1:00 pm the next day and our baggage would be kept on the plane since the same plane was going to leave at 1:00 pm. We had to return to our hotel for the rest of the night. The same plane did not leave at 1:00 pm and our baggage was gone! All in all, it was a miserable performance by UA. Information was hard to obtain and no one knew what was going on and what was going to happen. Hundreds of passengers slept on the floor, chairs, etc. No food and no water was made available to the passengers. It was a situation where UA could care less what was going on. As a one million mile flyer, I had not experienced anything like this before and it was hugely disappointing!

The experience with American Airlines was good, although the Philippines Airlines flight was much better (better seats, better food, better entertainment options, overall better). Again, the MIA to LAX flight was fine, but nothing in comparison to the comfort and accommodations of the Philippines Airlines flight from LAX to MNL.

Loved the crew . Absolutely no complaints. Except for luggage lost

Wish some foods provided rather than just biscuit/cookie for flight more than 2 hours

We are too tired and frustrated to comment politely at this point

The flight crew was rude. We were in first class and no one even offered water until an hour after we were in the air. Horrible experience

Great. Quick and quiet and east. The breakfast choices were a welcome surprise!

The stewardess hit me with the food kart twice on the head and didn't say I'm sorry once. The same stewardess gave me a warm Apple Juice with No ice. The Flight was delayed for Departure 6 times, starting from 2:36pm, finally taking off 7:50pm. I was late picking up my child from the sitter by 3 hours.

Did not get the seat I selected and paid for.

My flight was delayed for several hours. Sitting at gate 16 for several hours, I got a text from Kayak the gate changed to 9 before it was announced. Very bad communication at each gate from American Airlines employees. I received 10 notifications of delay from Kayak. My vacation started off horrible! I will write to American Airlines corporate office also.

Delayed flight that lead to a missed connection and a 5-hour trip became a 12-hour flight 🙄

Traveling to a place near Santa Barbara?

Book flights to Santa Barbara if you plan to visit one of these locations
Buellton
Los Olivos

Everything you need to know for your flight to Santa Barbara

Flights with popular airlines flying to Santa Barbara

Flights from the other most popular airlines that fly from the United States to Santa Barbara according to KAYAK users. Prices are the lowest found on KAYAK over the last 7 days. Price and availability are not guaranteed.