Alaska Airlines adds new California route even as it warns of flying, staff cuts
Alaska Airlines is adding a surprising new intra-California route even as the coronavirus pandemic has it planning to fly just a fraction of its planned schedule and is warning staff of cuts to come.
The Seattle-based carrier will connect Fresno (FAT) and Los Angeles (LAX) beginning Sept. 1, according to the Fresno Yosemite International Airport on Thursday. The two daily flights will be flown on Embraer 175 jets with 76 seats.
The route addition comes just days after Alaska president Ben Minicucci told The Seattle Times reporter Dominic Gates that the airline only planned to fly about half of its 2019 schedule in August. His comments came after the carrier warned staff that it would likely have to shed some 3,000 jobs -- or 13% of its work force -- due to the pandemic.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
"Things will likely not go back to pre-COVID levels in the next 12 months," Minicucci said. "We see a smaller company in 2021. We see a smaller industry, in fact."
However, he told Gates that if the airline saw an opportunity, "Alaska will grow."
In the Fresno airport's statement, Alaska director of network planning Michael Britman said the carrier has "seen positive performance in our secondary, intra-California markets including our other flights to Fresno."
Related: Alaska retires 12 Airbus jets, pivots towards Boeing during crisis
Fresno is considered the gateway to Yosemite National Park. Airlines have reported more new booking for travel to destinations near national parks and other large open spaces, including those in the Rocky Mountains.
Yosemite began a phased reopening on Thursday. However, visitors must make a reservation for one of just 1,700 vehicle entries allowed on any given day.
Alaska's new route is the latest signal that airlines are adapting by adding targeted flights where travelers want to go. Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines have both announced new routes even as overall passenger numbers remain well below 2019 levels owing to the pandemic.
Related: Everything you need to know to plan a trip to a national park
View this post on Instagram
American Airlines and United Airlines have had a lock on the Fresno-Los Angeles route since at least 2004, according to Cirium schedules. Both airlines suspended the route in May and June during the depths of the crisis, with United planning to return on July 6 and American on Aug. 5 -- though August schedules are not yet finalized.
At just 209 miles, about 80% of flyers on the Fresno-Los Angeles route use it to connect on to other destinations via LAX, U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics data for the fourth quarter of 2019 shows.
Alaska maintains a small hub in Los Angeles that averaged 75 departures a day in 2019, Cirium data shows. The airport was its fourth-largest base after Seattle (SEA), Portland, Oregon (PDX), and San Francisco (SFO).
Related: Why Alaska Airlines is returning to its routes in the West
Prior to the crisis, Alaska was adjusting its network with a focus on adding routes in its core north-south market along the West Coast. Plans included new nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Boise (BOI), Idaho; Missoula (MSO), Montana; Redmond/Bend (RDM), Oregon; and Spokane, Washington (GEG).
Alaska is scheduled to fly all four of the new routes from LAX in July, according to Cirium.
The airline also serves Fresno from Portland, San Diego (SAN) and Seattle. Alaska plans to fly all three routes in July.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees