Alaska Airlines to shift more Airbus flying to Seattle
Alaska Airlines plans to open a new pilot base for the Airbus A320 family in Seattle, as part of a plan to fly more of the European jets through its home airport.
As part of the change, Alaska will close its Airbus pilot base in Los Angeles (LAX) by the end of 2021 as it refocuses flying from the Southern California airport on Boeing 737 jets, the airline and Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) union confirmed separately to TPG. The changes were first reported by The Seattle Times.
Alaska plans to expand flying on A319, A320 and A321neo jets from Seattle/Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with the new pilot base, spokesman Ray Lane said. At the same time, the carrier will expand its 737 crew base in Los Angeles.
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The pilot staffing changes comes as Alaska evaluates how to replace the 61 A319 and A320 jets it inherited from Virgin America. The airline is considering either more A321neos or 737 MAX 9s and 10s and plans to make a decision by year-end, Alaska’s executive vice president of planning and strategy Shane Tackett said in January.
“We have an opportunity to replace 61 A319 and A320 aircraft with larger gauge, more efficient assets… [that] would give us the ability to generate more revenue while lower unit costs,” he said.
Alaska has committed to operating its Airbus fleet until at least 2025, ALPA spokeswoman Tania Reyes Mills told TPG.
Related: Alaska evaluates Boeing or Airbus options to replace Virgin America fleet
In addition to the A319 and A320s, Alaska operated 10 A321neos at the end of 2019, its latest fleet plan shows. The carrier had an order for 32 737 MAX 9s, plus a cancellable commitment for 30 A320neos.
“While we don’t yet know the exact makeup of our future fleet, we do know the 737 MAX will be a significant part of it,” Alaska told pilots in a Feb. 21 memo, according to The Seattle Times.
Seattle is already home to the most Airbus-operated flights in Alaska's network. In March, nearly a quarter of the carrier's 7,172 flights scheduled aboard an A320 family jet will depart from Seattle, according to Cirium schedules. San Francisco (SFO) will see nearly 15% of departures and Los Angeles just over 10%.
Related: How to Tell If Your Alaska Flight Features the New Cabin Design
Alaska will operate flights on A320s and A321neos from Seattle in March, schedules show.
The carrier is doubling down to bolster its position in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest this year. Alaska has cancelled a number of routes between California and points in the Midwest and along the East Coast in favor of more flights and routes along the West Coast.
In addition, Alaska unveiled an expanded partnership with American Airlines and plans to join the Oneworld alliance earlier in February. American will launch new service between Seattle and Bangalore (BLR) in October, and Seattle and London Heathrow (LHR) in 2021 under the pact, which will allow Alaska to sell onward connections onto the American-operated flights.
Related: Alaska Airlines plans to join Oneworld, forms alliance with American
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.