How many passengers does Taos Air have?

Among New Mexicans, there’s a running joke that outsiders don’t realize the state is in the U.S. It is a little sad and shockingly common for, say, passport requests when locals are flying home from New York. A popular sticker declares of this place where Europeans have been living for 500 years: “Not exactly new, not exactly Mexico.” But while New Mexico is in fact in America, it is undeniably true that it is pretty hard to get to.

That’s long been a problem for Taos Ski Valley, the world-class ski resort in the Sangre de Cristos, a subrange of the Rockies in northern New Mexico. The nearest major airport is in Albuquerque, three hours away, while Santa Fe, two hours away, has few regional flights. Denver is a five-hour drive, which, to be fair, is about the amount of time it would take to get from DIA to Vail via I-70 on a given Saturday morning.

Few, if any medium-sized ski resorts are making investments at this level right now. For the most part, they’re selling out to Vail or Alterra. Meanwhile, Taos went out and bought a damn jet.

But Taos is finally making headway on its accessibility problem. Recently, the company announced a new airline—Taos Air—that will offer daily direct flights from Dallas and Austin from December through March, to a dusty airstrip 30 minutes from the chairlifts.

“The response has been incredibly positive,” says Robb Greer, sales manager at Taos Ski Valley who was recently in Texas promoting the flights. “Taos Air is the fastest, easiest way to ski in the Rockies.”

It’s a bold move for any ski area, but especially one in a region on the front lines of climate change and water shortages. Taos is coming off its worst winter since 1890; it relied heavily on snowmaking to stay open at all. But the ski area, which is independently owned by the billionaire investor Louis Bacon, is not holding back. The announcement comes in the middle of year four of a 10-year, $300-million renovation that includes a new main chairlift (Taos’s first high-speed quad), doubling down on snowmaking, a new luxury hotel, a “gondolita,” an upgraded children’s center, and makeovers at the Bavarian and Phoenix restaurants. Taos has also pledged a new environmental commitment, becoming the first ski resort designated as a B Corp. Next summer, it’s building new mountain biking trails, a via ferrata, and new condos.

Taos is now an anomaly in the ski world. Few, if any medium-sized ski resorts are making investments at this level right now. For the most part, they’re selling out to Vail or Alterra (see Stowe, Crested Butte, Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain, etc.).

Meanwhile, Taos went out and bought a damn jet. Tickets for the 30-passenger chartered flight start around $400, and passengers will land in El Prado, down the valley from the ski area. The price includes one checked bag and complementary Rossignol demos, and passengers staying at the Blake or the Village of Taos Ski Valley will receive free transportation to their hotels. The flight will leave from private terminals and passengers will only need to arrive 30 minutes before takeoff (read: no TSA). Flights will run Thursday through Sunday (and Monday holidays), from December through March.

“I don’t think it’s going to change the entire equation, but it will make it a little bit easier,” says CEO David Norden, who believes Taos’ independence is now a unique asset in the ski world. “If we do our job right, it leaves us with a place that is greatly differentiated from the pack, because the pack looks the same, and the pack is getting bigger. We’ve got the culture, we’ve got the scale, we have a great mountain.”

Taos Air is a U.S. airline which operates seasonal scheduled passenger air charter flights between Taos Regional Airport, in Taos, New Mexico, and a small number of airports in California and Texas.

One of the airline’s aims is to provide a fast, direct, non-stop route from Taos to the Rocky Mountains. Sustainability is also important to the airline, which provides a 100% Carbon Offset Air Service.

Taos Air operates as a virtual airline and is owned by Taos Ski Valley, Inc. Flights are sold and operated by Advanced Air, an American scheduled commuter and private charter airline.

Destinations

The airline flies from its hub at Taos (Taos Regional Airport) in New Mexico to a number of destinations within California and Texas, including Dallas-Love Field (DAL), Austin International (AUS), Carlsbad-San Diego (CLD), and Hawthorne-Los Angeles (HHR) airports.

Baggage Allowance

Carry-On Baggage

Guests are allowed one carry-on bag, as well as one personal item, such as a purse or laptop.

Checked Baggage

Each passenger is permitted to check two pieces of baggage free of charge (up to 46 lbs in total weight).

There are no baggage fees for up to two bags.

Check-In Information

Online Check-In

Online check-in is not currently available.

Check-In at the Airport

The airline offers a private flight experience, with the plane departing from private terminals. This allows for check-in up to 30 minutes prior to departure.

Fleet

The airline’s fleet consists of a Fairchild Dornier 328JET

Class Fares

The airline provides standard seating in its aircraft.

As the direct air carrier, Advanced Air is responsible for all aspects of the flight service. For more information, please visit our Advanced Air page.

What is the seating like?

There are 30 standard seats on the airline’s Dornier 328 jet.

Facilities

The airline provides a private public air-charter service, which could be considered a semi-private flight experience. Passengers can expect a VIP service both at the airport and on-board the plane. Passengers are not required to go through TSA screening.

Ticket Fares

Although there is only one standard class of seating, there are two fares available: Standard Fare, and Flexible Fare. The Standard Fare is non-refundable, whereas the Flexible Fare (Fully Flex) is refundable (T&Cs apply).

Entertainment

There is no in-flight entertainment system.

WiFi

Please note that Wifi and phone charging ports are not currently available on Taos Air flights.

Food and Drinks

The airline does offer a complimentary snack and beverage service during its flights.

Special Services

The airline can accommodate and meet the needs of passengers requiring special assistance.

Flying with Infants

Infants under the age of 2 years can fly for free on the lap of an adult. An adult ticket will be required if a passenger would prefer an additional seat for the infant.

Flying with Children

Children above the age of 2 who need their own seats will need a ticket for their own seat.

Alternative Airlines

The following airlines operate flights within/to New Mexico:

Hub Airport

Taos Regional Airport, New Mexico

Taos Regional Airport is a public use airport, located just northwest of Taos, in Taos County, New Mexico. Taos Air is currently the only airline to operate commercial flights from the small private airport.

How many seats does Taos air have?

What kind of planes does Taos Air fly?

Is Taos Air still in business?

Where does Taos air fly out of?