United Airlines relaunched daily service between Los Angeles and Bakersfield on August 11, using regional jets. The 109-mile route takes about an hour block time but only 24-30 minutes airborne. SkyWest operates the flights under United Express branding.

Flights UA4804 and UA4730 operate daily, departing LAX at 10:43 AM and returning from BFL at 2:03 PM. Actual airtime is roughly half the scheduled duration due to LAX taxi delays. The Embraer E175s are operated by SkyWest, serving Kern County’s economic needs alongside American Airlines routes.

Why it matters

Travelers gain a faster alternative to driving or connecting via hubs, saving time on short intra-state trips. For regional airports, new routes mean increased connectivity and potential revenue from passengers who might otherwise skip air travel.