Following JetBlue, Alaska Airlines Bulks Up In Los Angeles

JetBlue is not the only airline which will bulk up service in Los Angeles. Alaska Airlines has announced its own expansion from Southern California which will add service to several cities at LAX, including new transcontinental and Hawaiian routes.

LAX Expansion For Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines will add seven new routes from Los Angeles (LAX) according to the schedule below:

This is on top of five new destinations Alaska Airlines already added earlier this year from LAX, including:

• Boise (BOI)
• Fresno (FAT)
• Missoula (MSO)
• Redmond (RDM)
• Spokane (GEG)

Brett Catlin, the Managing Director of Capacity Planning and Alliances at Alaska Airlines  said:

“LAX is one of Alaska’s important hub markets and continues to offer valuable opportunities for selective expansion. The addition of these 12 new routes from LAX along with our upcoming membership in the oneworld alliance sets the stage for future growth.”

Alaska becomes the first carrier to fly nonstop to Fort Myers. Its service to smaller cities in California, Oregon, and Montana further bolsters Alaska Airlines’ West Coast strength.

Alaska Challenging JetBlue In Its Backyard

Despite a new common partner in American Airlines, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines are still very much competitors. Challenging JetBlue on its home turf, Alaska Airlines will add service to Ft. Lauderdale from Portland and San Diego, in addition to the new Los Angeles service.

With these additions, Alaska Airlines will operate 14 routes between the West Coast and Florida this winter.

CONCLUSION

This is a curious era to announce expansion, but it also marks the perfect opportunity to experiment. Alaska’s focus on leisure market travel seems appropriate for its inferior premium product. Will the new markets work? No one knows at this point, but Alaska Airlines sees great possibilities in becoming more aggressive at LAX.

image: Glenn Beltz / Wikimedia Commons

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