Originally Posted by ContinentalEWRbasedFA
Does anyone know why there is a direct flight offered from DCA to SNA?
Direct = stops enroute but continues with the same flight number (also makes a difference in fare structuring on the route).
Remember, direct is not the same as non-stop!
As for flights from DCA, there are a certain number of exemption slots awarded by Congress. We can all guess how that happened... let's just say, certain Senators and Representatives from western states didn't like the commute to Dulles every Tuesday and Thursday. I've twice seen Sen. McCain awaiting departure on HP out of DCA.
The LAX/SEA/PHX exemptions are relatively new (last 5-10 years). The LAX route was originally awarded to TWA, but AA didn't continue it (not sure whether it was up to AA or not)... and AS picked it up.