Alaska Airlines cuts 2 routes, suspends another as it pushes into leisure markets
Just a few days after announcing a major route map expansion, Alaska Airlines is back with another network update. This time, however, it's all cuts.
The Seattle-based carrier filed plans over the weekend to drop two routes from its network and suspend another, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
Alaska will exit the San Diego-to-Cancun market and the Orange County, California-to-Bozeman, Montana, route, effective immediately. Both of these flights were originally supposed to return for the winter season, but Alaska told TPG that they are "removed ... from our schedules going forward."
Value check: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?
Additionally, the airline has suspended service between Los Angeles and Bozeman. This route was also originally supposed to operate during the winter season, but it's now suspended indefinitely. Alaska is no longer selling tickets in this nonstop market, though the airline told TPG that these flights are "suspended," meaning that they will likely return in a future season.
Alaska explained the cuts as part of a "continual [evaluation of] our route network." The carrier didn't expand much beyond this milquetoast statement, but it did make these changes just days after announcing a massive 18-route expansion last week.
That expansion is largely focused on connecting travelers to leisure-focused destinations that are popular during the winter. Markets like Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos and Monterrey in Mexico all received new routes, as did popular ski towns across North America, such as Vail — a new destination for the airline — Reno and Kelowna, British Columbia.
Historically, flights like Los Angeles and Orange County to Bozeman fit the bill for a West Coast-based carrier looking to boost regional connectivity for leisure travelers. After all, Alaska has a sizable presence in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, and Bozeman continues to become more popular thanks to its proximity to Yellowstone National Park and the Big Sky Resort.
That said, Alaska likely decided that its 18 new markets would be far more profitable than operating these three existing flights for another season.
Some of it could be because Alaska has inked a deal with Apple Vacations to buy a block of seats on each flight that makes them profitable enough without even selling tickets to the general public, as first reported by Brian Sumers of The Airline Observer.
Another reason could be that they were poor performers. On average, just 34 passengers a day flew between Orange County and Bozeman in the first quarter of this year, according to Department of Transportation data analyzed by Cirium. That's an average load factor of about 50% for a 76-seat Embraer 175 regional jet.
Without the Alaska routes, the Orange County-to-Bozeman and San Diego-to-Cancun markets will become unserved by any airline. Travelers looking for nonstop flights between these destinations will need to drive to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or book a one-stop connecting itinerary from their home airport.
Meanwhile, American, Delta and United already serve the Los Angeles to Bozeman route. With so much competition, it seemingly makes sense for Alaska to trade this Bozeman route for a new one from Boise, launching on Dec. 19 and announced as part of the major 18-route expansion unveiled last week.
After all, Boise to Bozeman isn't currently served by any other airline.
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.
| 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