United Airlines is challenging Alaska Airlines in Los Angeles with new nonstop service to Anchorage, Alaska.
Next summer, United Airlines will offer daily nonstop service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Anchorage (ANC).
The service will be operated by a 737-800. Tickets go on sale today and the flight will run June 18, 2020, through August 17, 2020.
|
From |
To |
Depart |
Arrive |
Flight |
|
Los Angeles |
Anchorage |
5:45pm |
10:25pm |
1579 |
|
Anchorage |
Los Angeles |
2:35pm |
9:15pm |
1636 |
Alaska’s year-around service between Los Angeles and Anchorage is a redeye in both directions, departing at 10:55pm from LAX and departing at 11:45pm from ANC. During the summer months, Alaska also offers an afternoon service from LAX departing at 3:45pm and a morning service from ANC, departing at 9:00am. The United flights are timed so as not to depart within a two hour window of either Alaska flight. That’s probably a smart move and the times are geared toward leisure travelers.
American Airlines is also offering summer seasonal nonstop service between LAX and ANC.
This will complement existing service to Anchorage from United’s other U.S. mainland hubs:
- Chicago (ORD) – Twice daily service
- Denver (DEN) – Twice daily service
- Houston (IAH) – Daily service
- Newark (EWR) – Daily service
- San Francisco (SFO) – Daily service
A Start, But How About PDX and SEA?
I am glad to see that United is not simply ceding the route to Alaska and American, but will at least try it over the summer. I trust it will do well. Fares start at around $400 r/t for economy class and $1100 r/t for business class.
Now how about nonstop service to Portland, Oregon? We have not seen that route in years. How about mainline service to Seattle instead of two flights per day operated by United Express?
LAX is always a dilemma…yields are lower and competition is fierce. But if United calls LAX a hub and wants to build a loyal customer base who stops searching competitors, it should offer service to major cities like Portland and Dallas, even if they are not the most lucrative.
CONCLUSION
It’s nice to see a little love from United at LAX. Los Angeles is a competitive hub and service simply doesn’t make sense in many markets when allocating a limited number of aircraft. But I hope that United will further challenge Alaska’s dominance in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, I view this as necessary if it wants to actually strengthen and protect its hub at LAX.
> Read More: United Airlines Executives Discuss Future Of LAX Hub
image: InSapphoWeTrust / Flickr
Yes, def need non-stop to PDX. It’s such a “hip” millennial destination especially during non-rain season(s)
So like 2 months a year?
American Airlines flies this too, so United will be challenging two airlines.
Scott Kirby said over a year ago that the lack of these flights from LAX to PDX and SEA was strictly a matter of “real estate” and when the expansion if their commuter terminal is done, they will be adding numerous flights out of LAX to their “traditional” markets.
Huh, I flew UA on a mainline 739 this summer LAX-SEA. LAX 2090 July 29th.
Of course it was on the cheapest BE fare available LAS-LAX-SEA, being offered at Spirit prices.
Maybe that’s why they don’t fly it with 739s year-round… 😉
Remember PMCO served sea-anc several times a day, all flights connected to Houston.
@ eponymous coward
I don’t see mainline in the schedule.
Sorry no interest in flying any airline other than Alaska to Alaska. #iflyalaksa. And with Scott Kirbys grubby little hands all over yesterdays decimation of Uniteds Mileage Plus Program it makes it even less appealing.
Why don’t United start building back up LAX. Over the years they have dropoed non-stop flights between Los Angeles and Portland, OR, San Jose, CA, Oakland, Bakersfield, Santa Maria, El Centro, Yuma, Tucson, Albuquerque, El Paso, Dallas/Fort Worth, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Tampa, and Philadelphia. United needs to be serious about Los Angeles.