Raleigh, N.C. — With a crowd of dignitaries looking on, ExpressJet formally announced Monday morning that it would launch non-stop service to six destinations from Raleigh-Durham International Airport later this spring.

The sites include:

• Birmingham, Ala.
• Jacksonville, Fla.
• Louisville, Ky.
• Kansas City, Mo.
• New Orleans
• San Antonio

ExpressJet will operate 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 jet aircraft. Features include no middle seat and XM Satellite Radio.

"We thought Raleigh/Durham was the right market for ExpressJet because we can provide value by saving our customers time and making travel more convenient," ExpressJet Chief Executive Jim Ream said. "Now, our customers will be able to relax on a non-stop flight, in a comfortable leather seat with more than 100 channels of free XM Satellite Radio."

ExpressJet announced its non-stop service at more than 20 other U.S. cities on Monday. Its niche is non-stop flights between what the airline views as underserved markets.

"We're pleased to welcome ExpressJet to RDU," said W. Stephens Toler, chairman of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. "With the addition of one of the nation's largest regional airlines, RDU's travelers will now have more non-stop travel options on a fleet of aircraft with upgraded services."

ExpressJet flights will originate from six markets: Los Angeles/Ontario, Sacramento, San Diego, San Antonio, Austin and New Orleans.

Destinations other than RDU include: Albuquerque, N.M.; Spokane, Wash.; Boise, Idaho; Tucson, Ariz.; Omaha, Neb.; Kansas City; Birmingham; Colorado Springs; Oklahoma City; Tulsa, Okla.; Louisville; Monterey, Calif.; Bakersfield, Calif.; Fresno,
Calif.; Jacksonville; El Paso, Texas; and Corpus Christi, Texas.