West Coast Gets a Lift as Alaska Airlines Adds 7 New Routes

Alaska Airlines is continuing to reinforce its position as a dominant West Coast carrier with the announcement of seven new nonstop routes launching in late October 2025.

The new services will link California with key secondary markets across the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West, including new nonstop connections from Hollywood Burbank Airport, additional regional service from Boise and Palm Springs, and a seasonal ski route from San Diego to Sun Valley, Idaho.

Photo: Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

This strategic expansion follows Alaska’s major push in San Diego earlier this year, where the carrier introduced new flights to Chicago O’Hare, Denver, and Phoenix and increased frequencies on several of its most competitive intra-California and West Coast business routes.

Speaking about the latest announcement, Kirsten Amrine, Alaska’s Vice President of Revenue Management and Network Planning, emphasized the airline’s focus on regional connectivity. “We’re the only global airline based on the West Coast,” she said. “These new additions further expand our ability to take our guests between growing markets in California and the Pacific Northwest for leisure and business travel.”

Targeting Underserved Markets

Among the new routes launching this October are nonstop flights between Burbank and Eugene, Pasco, and Redmond in Oregon.

The Redmond route marks Alaska’s sixth destination from the Central Oregon city, where demand has remained strong.

Photo: Boise, Idaho. Courtesy of Alden Skeie / Unsplash

Alaska will also begin nonstop flights from Boise to Ontario, California, and introduce a winter seasonal service connecting San Diego with Sun Valley.

The airline will offer a new intra-California route between Palm Springs and Santa Rosa, as well as a new nonstop flight linking Spokane with Orange County, a previously unserved segment.

Each of these new routes will be operated using the airline’s 76-seat Embraer 175 aircraft, which offer no middle seats and include First Class and Premium Class seating, in-seat power in the premium cabin, Wi-Fi, and streaming entertainment.

More Frequencies on Key Business Routes

Alaska is also building on the growth it initiated in San Diego earlier this year. In April, the carrier introduced new daily service from San Diego to Phoenix, which launched in August with three daily Boeing 737 departures.

Photo: Courtesy of San Diego International Airport

New nonstop service to Chicago O’Hare and Denver is set to begin in early October, also with three daily flights on a mix of mainline and regional aircraft. These routes are designed to support both business and leisure demand and enable convenient same-day trips for corporate travelers.

Boosting California Intra-State Network

In addition to adding new destinations, Alaska has increased flight frequencies on some of its most popular routes from San Diego. Service to Las Vegas, Sacramento, and San Jose has been increased from four to six daily flights.

Salt Lake City, previously served once daily, will now see three daily departures. The airline has positioned this growth to support both business travel patterns and broader market demand.

Photo: San Diego, California. Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

San Diego continues to serve as a key hub in Alaska’s West Coast network. The carrier currently offers more than 50 daily departures from the airport, with plans for continued growth through 2026.

Earlier this year, Alaska also began daily nonstop service from San Diego to Washington Reagan National Airport, reestablishing direct access between Southern California and central Washington, D.C.—a route previously unserved in recent years. Alaska is now the only airline offering nonstop flights between these two cities.

Kimberly Becker, President and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, said the expansion aligns with the region’s growth. “The timing is perfect for adding new routes and increasing frequency,” she noted. “We look forward to welcoming both leisure and business visitors to our year-round sunny climate while providing more flights to destinations across the country.”

Oneworld Connectivity Adds Loyalty Value

The airline’s growing footprint also reflects its broader loyalty and alliance strategy. As a full member of the oneworld alliance, Alaska’s Mileage Plan members can earn and redeem miles on more than a dozen global carriers, including Japan Airlines, Finnair, Qantas, and British Airways

With the ongoing merger process between Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, the combined network now offers over 1,650 daily flights and connects travelers to more than 330 destinations worldwide with a single connection.

Photo: Courtesy of Oneworld

By targeting underserved secondary markets such as Redmond, Pasco, Santa Rosa, and Sun Valley, Alaska continues to position itself as a nimble competitor to larger network carriers. The use of smaller California airports such as Burbank, Ontario, and Santa Rosa also allows the airline to serve demand-rich corridors without depending on larger, more congested hubs.

West Coast Travelers to Benefit

As the holiday travel season approaches, Alaska’s expansion strengthens its schedule and widens travel options for both business and leisure flyers across the Western United States. The additions reflect a measured and market-driven approach that favors accessibility, frequency, and convenience for travelers navigating key regional routes.