Alaska Airlines ups Mexico service with new routes to La Paz and Monterrey
Alaska Airlines is bolstering its footprint in Mexico with two new nonstop flights launching for the winter season.
In November, the Seattle-based carrier will launch service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to La Paz International Airport (LAP). With up to three weekly round trips, Alaska said it will be the only U.S. airline to serve La Paz, the capital of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. The city sits about 100 miles north of the popular Los Cabos resort area.
Then, in February, Alaska will begin daily nonstop flights from LAX to Monterrey International Airport (MTY), joining a handful of other airlines serving the city from the U.S.
Route details
Here are the details on the two new routes Alaska will launch:
- LAX-LAP — launches Nov. 20, operates two to three times weekly
- LAX-MTY — launches Feb. 13, 2025; operates daily
Both routes will be operated with Embraer E175 aircraft, which feature 12 seats in first class, 16 in Alaska's Premium class, and 48 seats in the main cabin.
Monterrey service
In launching service to Monterrey, Alaska will join a handful of U.S. and Mexican carriers that operate nonstop service from that city to the U.S.
The "Big Three" U.S. carriers (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines) all operate flights from Monterrey to their hubs. There's also a nonstop on Aeromexico to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the home base of its joint-venture partner Delta.
And Mexican low-cost carrier Viva Aerobus operates flights to close to a dozen U.S. cities from Monterrey, per Cirium.
La Paz service
Though this La Paz service is novel for Alaska, it's technically flown to the city before.
Alaska most recently flew to the city in 2013 and prior, with its regional affiliate Horizon Air operating a Dash 8 turboprop aircraft at the time, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Located on the east side of the southern Baja California peninsula, La Paz is close to a 2 1/2-hour drive from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), the busiest airport in the region.
The city is set on the water, and is home to a few hotels you can book on points — including one property that just opened and another that will soon.
Travelers with IHG One Rewards points may want to consider the 115-room Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortes, which opened in January and features a spa, infinity pool, beach club and two restaurants. It's part of the Hotel Indigo brand's fast global expansion.
Meanwhile, the 90-room Perla La Paz is set to join Hilton's Tapestry Collection following a $10 million renovation of the property, which dates back to the 1940s. The hotel should open in January, according to Hilton's booking channels.
Bottom line
With these two flights, Alaska will offer service to a total of 10 Mexico destinations from LAX in February, at the height of the winter season.
The carrier specifically noted the strong interest in warm-weather destinations during the winter months as a rationale for these launches.
Related reading:
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.