The Kern County Department of Airports says United Airlines and U.S. Airways will fly larger and faster aircraft from Houston, Denver and Phoenix to Bakersfield.

Richard Strickland is the county’s airports director and says United will also fly a new all-jet route from Meadows Field to San Francisco.

“It means 14,600 seats on an annual basis,” he said. “And those seats represent more options for people to choose to fly.”

Strickland says the new service will start May 6.

– Anthony Pollreisz