Alaska Airlines takes on Delta with nonstop from Portland to Atlanta
Alaska Airlines is wading deeper into prime Delta Air Lines territory, adding a cross-country flight to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
Starting Oct. 1, Alaska will launch nonstop service to Atlanta from its Portland International Airport (PDX) hub in Oregon. The Seattle-based carrier will operate the daily flight year-round.
The move comes as Alaska continues to expand its transcontinental route network out of Portland. Next month, it will launch nonstop flights to Nashville International Airport (BNA). Plus, Alaska launched a Portland nonstop from Miami International Airport (MIA) in November.
"We're always looking for ways to connect the Rose City to other destinations across our network. We believe our flights to Atlanta will be a popular addition for our guests heading to the South," Kirsten Amrine, Alaska's vice president of revenue management and network planning, said in a statement.
But this Atlanta route is also a notable foray onto Delta's home turf. It's not necessarily an outlier, either.
Capacity growth in Atlanta and beyond
In all, Alaska's scheduled seats to Atlanta this year will be up 32% from 2023, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
That spike in seats comes as Alaska adds nonstops to Delta's home base from both Portland and San Diego International Airport (SAN), with the latter route set to launch May 16.
Alaska already serves Atlanta from its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) home base.
For its part, Delta does already operate an Atlanta-to-Portland route, with multiple daily nonstops.
Alaska is also expanding its footprint pretty significantly at another Delta hub in 2024. Its seats to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) will be up around 42% from last year, Cirium data shows. That's helped by added capacity between Minneapolis and two Alaska hubs: Seattle and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) in Alaska.
Growth in Portland
Meanwhile, Alaska is also dramatically increasing its flight schedule out of Portland.
During the month of October, when this route launches, for instance, the carrier is set to increase its year-over-year seats from the West Coast airport by about 33% over last year, per Cirium.
In a statement earlier this month, the carrier noted its increased frequencies to other existing cities on its route map out of Portland, led by Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), which will have five daily frequencies as of Aug. 20.
Alaska also noted Feb. 12 that it's putting the final touches on the design for an all-new "Flagship Lounge" in Portland, which would open sometime between 2025 and 2026 with more than 10,000 square feet of space.
PDX-ATL route details
Here's how the itinerary shakes out for Alaska's new flight between Portland and Atlanta. Again, the route begins Oct. 1 and will operate daily.
- PDX-ATL: Departs at 9:37 a.m., arrives at 5:12 p.m.
- ATL-PDX: Departs at 7:59 p.m., arrives at 10:14 p.m.
At least from the outset, it appears, from Alaska's booking channels, that it will operate a Boeing 737-900 aircraft on the route.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
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.