Alaska Introduces 18 New Flights Across North and Central America

If this current heat wave has you longing for snowy mountains and gentle ocean breezes, you're in good company. Alaska Airlines has just rolled out an extensive winter expansion featuring one new cold-weather destination and 18 fresh routes across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

Here's what you should know about the new offerings.

Alaska Airlines Adds Vail to Its Route Map

One of the most thrilling updates to Alaska’s flight routes includes two new connections to Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) in Colorado, just minutes from Vail, renowned for its top-tier skiing. These flights will operate three times a week from Seattle and San Diego, starting December 20, 2024, and concluding on March 16, 2025, utilizing Embraer 175 aircraft (a regional jet with 76 seats, ensuring all passengers have either a window or aisle seat with no middle seats). Currently, Alaska is the sole airline planning flights from Vail to Seattle or San Diego, giving them exclusive access to these routes.

As the largest ski resort in Colorado, Vail boasts 5,289 acres for skiing and snowboarding, featuring 33 chair lifts and 193 designated trails. This perennial winter favorite offers enough space that the mountain rarely feels overcrowded, even on busy powder days when snow enthusiasts from Denver flock to the slopes, catering to all skill levels.

For those who prefer not to ski (or need a break), the town features the free Colorado Snowsport Museum, highlighting the stories of skiing and snowboarding pioneers in the Centennial State, along with the 10th Mountain Division, a WWII alpine unit that trained at the nearby Camp Hale, now recognized as a national monument. Visitors can also enjoy shopping, ice skating, snowmobiling, and a vibrant après-ski atmosphere. (Chasing Rabbits, a unique blend of restaurant, cinema, speakeasy, library lounge, and arcade, is a must-visit.) Notable accommodations include the Four Seasons Resort Vail, featuring 121 rooms and 24 suites, an outdoor heated lap pool, a comprehensive spa, and several exquisite dining options, as well as the Antlers at Vail, which offers condominium-style lodging with fully equipped kitchens, balconies, and fireplaces in all rooms, from studios to four-bedroom suites.

New Flight Routes from Alaska Airlines

Kirsten Amrine, Alaska’s vice president of network planning and revenue management, stated that the new routes will provide customers with a variety of choices, ranging from tropical locales in Mexico to the top ski slopes in North America. In addition to the Vail routes, the lineup includes:

• Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) in California to Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) in Mexico: Daily service begins December 3 and ends February 12, 2025, on Boeing 737 aircraft.
• Boise Airport (BOI) in Idaho to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in Montana: Five times a week from December 19 to March 17, 2025, on Embraer 175 planes.
• Boise to John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, California: Daily year-round flights commencing December 19 on E175s.
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Kelowna International Airport (YLW) in British Columbia: Daily service starting December 19 and concluding March 17, 2025, on E175s.
• San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) in Nevada: Daily flights beginning December 19 until April 21, 2025, on E175s.
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Costa Rica: Weekly service starting December 21 and running through May 10, 2025, on 737s.
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Liberia, Costa Rica: Weekly flights commencing December 21 and concluding May 11, 2025, on 737s.
• Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) in Mexico: Five days a week starting January 6 until April 21, 2025, on 737s.
• Sacramento to Tucson International Airport (TUS) in Arizona: Daily service from January 6 to April 21, 2025, on E175s.
• Sacramento to Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida: Four times a week from January 6 to April 21, 2025, on 737s.
• Boise to Orlando: Three times a week beginning January 7 until March 25, 2025, on 737s.
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York to Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) in Mexico: Four times a week starting January 8 through April 20, 2025, on 737s.
• Sacramento to Puerto Vallarta: Weekly flights commencing January 11 until April 19, 2025, on 737s.
• Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in Missouri to Cancun International Airport (CUN) in Mexico: Weekly service from January 18 to June 7, 2025, on 737s.
• Kansas City to Puerto Vallarta: Weekly flights starting January 25 through April 5, 2025, on 737s.
• St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) in Missouri to Puerto Vallarta: Weekly flights starting January 25 and concluding April 5, 2025, on 737s.

Tickets are already available for purchase at alaskaair.com.

More Alaska Flight Updates

This announcement follows closely on the heels of Alaska's plans to begin flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to La Paz International Airport (LAP) in Baja California Sur, Mexico, starting November 20, with operations two to three times a week. Additionally, daily flights from LAX to Monterrey International Airport (MTY) in Mexico will commence on February 13, 2025.

In June, the airline also revealed plans for daily nonstop flights connecting Anchorage to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, making it the only airline to offer this route. However, it is seasonal and will conclude on August 19.