Title: Alaska Airlines Seeks to Bridge San Diego and Washington, D.C. with New Route

Alaska Airlines has expressed its intention to apply for a new slot pair to initiate nonstop service between San Diego, CA and Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport. The move comes after the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024, which opened up opportunities for increased direct flights to the nation's capital.

With existing nonstop services connecting the West Coast to Reagan National Airport from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, Alaska Airlines aims to fill the gap for San Diego, which currently lacks nonstop service to the important East Coast hub.

Andrew Harrison, Chief Commercial Officer of Alaska Airlines, highlighted the significance of the potential new route, stating that San Diego represents the largest market without nonstop service to Reagan National Airport. He emphasized that the addition of this direct flight would not only connect southern Californians to the nation's capital but also offer seamless connectivity to other destinations along Alaska Airlines' diverse network, via San Diego.

San Diego International Airport (SAN) also expressed its enthusiasm for the prospect of restoring nonstop air service to Reagan National Airport. Kim Becker, President and CEO of SAN, emphasized the importance of this vital connection for the region's defense, technology, and tourism industries. Becker pledged to collaborate with Alaska Airlines, San Diego's Congressional delegation, and Mayor Todd Gloria to secure the route and benefit the local economy.

As Alaska Airlines continues its commitment to serving the Washington, D.C. region, the airline looks forward to broadening access for West Coast travelers and further cementing its position as a key player in domestic air travel.

In the coming weeks, Alaska Airlines plans to submit its application to the U.S. Department of Transportation, hoping to secure the coveted new slot pair that would enable the launch of nonstop flights between San Diego and Washington, D.C.