Alaska Airlines introduces a second route to New Orleans just in time for next year's Super Bowl and Mardi Gras festivities.

Alaska Airlines is launching a new route to the Big Easy from one of its hubs on the West Coast.

Beginning in January, the Seattle-based airline will provide nonstop seasonal service from Portland International Airport (PDX) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).

Service will commence on January 6 and continue until May 14, with bookings now available.

While the new route is limited to just five months, it will offer travelers from the Pacific Northwest more chances to visit New Orleans during a vibrant time of year.

Alongside the city's renowned Mardi Gras celebrations early in the year, New Orleans' Caesars Superdome is set to host the upcoming Super Bowl on February 9.

Route information

Alaska will run the winter seasonal route daily using a Boeing 737 mainline aircraft. Here’s the itinerary breakdown:

• PDX-MSY: Departs at 9:05 a.m. Pacific time; arrives at 3:30 p.m. Central time
• MSY-PDX: Departs at 4:35 p.m. Central time; arrives at 7:50 p.m. Pacific time

Expanding its capacity from Portland to New Orleans

With the addition of New Orleans, Alaska Airlines will offer 55 nonstop routes from its Portland hub.

Importantly, Portland will be the second city in Alaska's network to connect to the Big Easy. Currently, the only nonstop service to New Orleans is from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Currently, there are no airlines operating the Portland-New Orleans route, which makes it an appealing choice for travelers, according to leaders in both cities.

"Portland has consistently been the top unserved market from New Orleans, and this new route not only enhances the bond between our dynamic cities but also highlights our dedication to improving the travel experience for both locals and visitors," stated Kevin Dolliole, MSY's director of aviation.

Alaska Airlines plans to increase its seat capacity from Portland by over 12% in 2024, even before the new nonstop route launches in early 2025, as per data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. However, its capacity still lags behind the levels seen in 2019.

Conclusion

It's important to note that while this seasonal route will bring more visitors to New Orleans for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, Alaska Airlines will just miss another significant event: the Sugar Bowl on January 1, which will host one of the first college football quarterfinal games of the upcoming season.

Regardless, there's never a wrong time to visit a city as vibrant as New Orleans, known for its rich culinary scene, abundant cultural activities, and entertainment options — not to mention its exceptional hotels.