Alaska Airlines Adds 8 Routes, Drops 11 in West Coast Shakeup
Alaska Airlines is doubling down on its West Coast footprint, announcing eight new nonstop routes within the region and increased frequencies on several existing routes.
Alaska's hub in Los Angeles (LAX) got half of the new routes while San Francisco (SFO) landed three. San Diego (SAN), a focus city for Alaska, landed the last of the new routes.
Also coming up big was Oregon's Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM), which also landed three new routes. With the additions, the airport — which also serves the central Oregon city of Bend — will get nonstop service both of Alaska's California hubs as well as to San Diego. Alaska also targeted Spokane (GEG), Washington, for expansion, adding new routes to both Los Angeles and San Francisco.
"We're excited to offer even more nonstops between vibrant Pacific Northwest communities and our growing hubs in California," Brett Catlin, Alaska's managing director of capacity planning and alliances, said in a Wednesday statement detailing the new routes. "Whether it's travel for a weekend getaway to Missoula or a day trip to San Francisco, we're proud to offer nearly 600 daily flights between West Coast cities."
Related: How to Earn Miles With the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Program
However, Alaska's additions are being at least partially offset by cuts elsewhere. The carrier is dropping 11 nonstop routes and will reduce another five from year-round to seasonal service. The biggest cuts were at San Diego — six permanent cuts and one seasonal downgrade — and San Francisco (two permanent cuts and four seasonal downgrades).
Many of the routes that were dropped or reduced were between between California and Alaska's destinations in the eastern and central US. Philadelphia (PHL), Raleigh/Durham (RDU), Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP), Kansas City (MCI) and Omaha (OMA) in Nebraska were among the markets seeing dropped flights or seasonal changes.
The move comes after Alaska Airlines in July announced plans to beef up service from its stronghold markets in the Pacific Northwest to warm-weather sun-focused destinations in California, Hawaii and Florida.
"We expect those leisure markets to perform better in the low season," Alaska Airlines said in a statement to TPG when asked about the route changes announced Wednesday. "California seasonal exits are allowing us to reallocate aircraft for those added frequencies. In the spring, we'll add flying to our California hub and focus cities, bringing them back up to or above current levels of service."
Related: Alaska Airlines' Newest Route From Everett's Paine Field Is Palm Springs
A full list of Alaska Airlines adds, drops and changes are below.
NEW ROUTES
Los Angeles
Boise: Begins March 19; two daily round-trip flights on Embraer E175 aircraft
Missoula: Begins March 19; one daily round-trip flight on Embraer E175 aircraft
Redmond/Bend: Begins Jan. 7; one daily round-trip flight on Embraer E175 aircraft
Spokane: Begins Jan. 7; two daily round-trip flights on Embraer E175 aircraft
San Diego
Redmond/Bend: Begins March 19; one daily round-trip flight on Embraer E175 aircraft
Related: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card Review
San Francisco
Anchorage: Begins April 20; one daily round-trip flight on Boeing 737 aircraft
Spokane: Begins Jan. 7; two daily round-trip flights on Embraer E175 aircraft
Redmond/Bend: Begins March 19; one daily round-trip flight on Embraer E175 aircraft
DROPPED/REDUCED ROUTES
San Francisco
Permanent exits
Albuquerque: Last flight is Nov. 4
Kansas City: Last flight is Nov. 4
Becoming seasonal
Nashville: Last flight is Nov. 4, resumes April 20
Baltimore: Last flight is Nov. 4, resumes March 18
Philadelphia: Last flight is Nov. 4, resumes April 20
Raleigh/Durham: Last flight is Nov. 4, resumes April 20
Los Angeles
Philadelphia: Last flight is Nov. 4
San Diego
Permanent exits
Albuquerque: Last flight is Nov. 4
El Paso, Texas: Last flight is Jan. 6
Kansas City: Last flight is Jan. 6
Minneapolis/St. Paul: Last flight is Jan. 6
Omaha, Nebraska: Last flight is Nov. 4
St. Louis: Last flight is Nov. 4
Becoming seasonal
Baltimore (BWI): Last flight is Sept. 29, resumes May 20
Other markets
Boise, Idaho-Reno, Nevada: Last flight is Jan. 6
San Jose, California-Burbank, California: Last flight is Nov. 4
FREQUENCY INCREASES
San Francisco
Chicago O'Hare: Beginning March 19, schedule goes to two daily round-trip flights from one
Orange County/Santa Ana, California: Beginning Jan. 7, schedule goes to seven daily round-trip flights from six
San Diego
Boise: Beginning March 19, service goes to two daily round-trip flights from one
Boston: Beginning May 21, service goes to two daily round-trip flights from one
Orlando: Starting Jan. 7, service goes to daily from five times a week
San Jose, California: Beginning March 19, service goes to six daily round-trip flights from four
Santa Rosa, California: Beginning March 19, service goes to two daily round-trip flights from one
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.