Summary
Alaska Airlines seeks DOT approval for new non-stop DCA to SAN service using Boeing 737-8 or 737 MAX 8.
Proposal would be sole non-stop service between airports, complementing Alaska’s existing DC region routes.
Potential new route could benefit military and enhance connectivity for West Coast travelers to key destinations.
Oneworld carrier Alaska Airlines is looking to expand its network once again. It has applied to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to commence a daily nonstop service between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and San Diego International Airport (SAN). Under the proposal, the flight could operate onboard the Boeing 737-8 or 737 MAX 8 variant.
If approved, this would be the only non-stop service between the two airports, with indirect competition to the larger Washington Dulles, currently served by Alaska and United Airlines. Southwest Airlines also operates from San Diego to Baltimore, which Spirit joins in on only seasonally.
Photo: Alaska Airlines
Under the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act 2024, five new direct flights to the US capital were planned. Seattle-based Alaska Airlines planned to apply with the DOT for slot pairs to initiate this service. While Alaska awaits the decision on the application, it hasn’t stopped the carrier from announcing a range of other Mexican destinations, as included below:
Related Alaska Airlines To Launch Nonstop US-La Paz And Daily Monterrey Flights This Winter The airline last served La Paz in 2013.
Planned schedule to DCA
As noted in the airline’s application to DOT, Alaska hopes to serve the route between Raegan and San Diego daily with the 737-8 or 737 MAX 8, which could accommodate up to 159 passengers in each direction. The proposed schedule is outlined below:
Depart San Diego at 08:30 and arrive at Raegan at 16:30 Returning the flight would be departing Raegan at 17:30 and arrive back to San Diego at 19:50
The airline has also noted it could commence the service within 90 days of approval. This service would complement the current services Alaska Airlines already has from Ragean, which include Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), San Francisco (SFO), and Los Angeles (LAX). Alaska Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Harrison, reiterated the carrier’s aspirations for the route:
“San Diego is the largest market without nonstop service to Reagan National Airport. This new route would not only connect southern Californians to our nation’s capital, but it would also provide seamless connectivity on Alaska Airlines’ diverse routes allowing guests to connect through San Diego. We’ve proudly served the Washington, D.C. region for decades and look forward to the opportunity to broaden access to our guests along the West Coast.”
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying
Valuable service for the military
Noted in the application, and reiterated by Kim Becker, President and CEO of San Diego International Airport, was the benefit that this service could provide for the military, which sees a large volume of US Government and military travel between the two regions. Becker continued to note:
“The San Diego region has waited for a very long time for an opportunity to restore nonstop air service to Reagan National Airport. We look forward to continue working with Alaska Airlines, San Diego’s Congressional delegation, and Mayor Todd Gloria to secure this vital nonstop service between the Nation’s Capital and San Diego for the benefit of our region’s defense, technology, and tourism industries.”
Photo: DBSOCAL | Shutterstock
Alaska Airlines has grown to become one of the most prominent US carriers operating on the West Coast of the United States. Should the route commence, San Diego could serve as an optimal transit point for its regional network and even for westbound travelers to Hawaii, Mexico, and Alaska (seasonally).
Alaska AirlinesIATA/ICAO Code: AS/ASA Airline Type: Full Service Carrier Hub(s): Anchorage International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Portland International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Year Founded: 1932 Alliance: oneworld CEO: Ben Minicucci Country: United States Region: North America