What Are Alaska Airlines’ Longest International Routes?

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines has significantly expanded its route network over the past decade. While the carrier is still known for its strong presence on the West Coast, it has bolstered its service to the East Coast and internationally.

The move has understandably introduced even longer routes than what it previously operated. Some of these newer routes are thanks to its acquisition of Virgin America.

Many who may not frequent the airline may be surprised at how well-developed Alaska’s international footprint is, especially considering it operates only one aircraft family.

As a long operator of the Boeing 737, Alaska has been able to increase its overall range with newer variants. With the 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 in its fleet, the carrier is able to fly further than it ever has before. It has also committed to the MAX 10 variant, which will boost its overall capacity.

Originating in the West

Alaska has five West Coast hubs:

• Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Portland International Airport (PDX)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Photo: Ryken Papy | Shutterstock

Surprisingly, Alaska offers international flights from all airports except ANC. Many of PDX’s international destinations are operated seasonally, except for service to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). However, according to Aeroroutes, Alaska will pull the route entirely on October 1st.

The airline’s daily international service originates from LAX, SFO, and SEA. According to aviation data and analytics firm Cirium, Alaska operates lengthy routes from these airports, all of which exceed 2,000 miles.

Photo: Cirium

The airline typically does not allocate one specific aircraft type to these routes and shares them with the 737-800, -900ER, MAX 8, and MAX 9.

The -900 variant has been deployed occasionally on some international routes, while the -700 mainly focuses on domestic flights along the West Coast, visiting destinations such as Sacramento, Orange County, and cities in Alaska.

Between 2,500 and 2,800 miles

Alaska’s longest route this month is between LAX and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica. The flight crosses 2,721 miles in each direction and is quite popular as it operates daily. Currently, the airline uses the 737-800 on the route.

AS1352 departs from LAX around 13:00 and arrives at SJO just before 20:00 local time, marking a flight time of six hours. Interestingly, the return flight is a redeye. AS1351 leaves SJO at 12:50 and lands at LAX just before 06:00.

Alaska is not the only airline to operate the route. It competes with Delta Air Lines, which utilizes its 757-200s on the route.

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SEA to Cancun International Airport (CUN) is 2,685 miles in each direction, and Alaska also operates the route daily. Currently, AS1400 departs LAX at 08:35 and arrives at 16:15 local time in CUN, resulting in a duration of five hours and 40 minutes.

The return flight, AS1403, leaves CUN at 16:25 and arrives back at SEA just after 20:30. The flight is about 20 minutes to a half hour longer due to typical headwinds when flying westbound. Alaska currently uses the 737-900 and MAX 9 on the route. Similarly, Delta also operates the route, typically with the 737-800.

Photo: Paparacy | Shutterstock

Flights between LAX and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), which serves Liberia, Costa Rica, cross 2,627 miles each way. This particular route is Alaska’s longest route that is served more than once daily this month.

The airline has morning and afternoon flights, with AS1412 being the first frequency. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the flight leaves LAX at 08:20 and lands at LIR just after 15:00. On Sundays and Thursdays, the flight times are pushed back slightly later to a 09:40 departure and 16:28 arrival.

The second flight, AS1332, is scheduled to depart at the same time daily, around 13:45. It arrives around 20:30 in LIR, after a flight time of nearly five hours and 40 minutes.

The first return flight, AS1385, leaves LIR at 10:00 and lands at LAX around 14:45. The second flight, AS1415, departs LIR at 16:18 and arrives at LAX at 21:10. Alaska is the only operator on the route and operates the flights using the 737 MAX 9.

Photo: Denver International Airport

Another long international flight is a newly introduced route. Alaska’s service between LAX and Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau, Bahamas, has a distance of 2,524 miles in each direction. However, the flights are not operated daily.

According to Cirium, Alaska has only 16 flights scheduled on the route this month – eight in each direction. The flights are primarily operated by the 737-800, albeit the -900ER will be used on one flight in each direction. Alaska is the only carrier to fly nonstop between the two destinations.

Above 2,000 miles

Service between SFO and CUN is also offered sparingly, with a total of only eight flights this month. The route covers a distance of 2,408 miles each way.

Four flights are offered this month in each direction on the 737-800. Alaska faces significant competition from United Airlines, which has an established hub at SFO and operates the route daily on the 737-900ER or MAX 9.

Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

A rather popular route is between LAX and La Aurora International Airport (GUA), which serves Guatemala City, Guatemala. Each flight between the two destinations covers 2,194 miles and is operated daily with the 737-800 or MAX 8. It is perhaps Alaska’s longest international route which faces the most competition.

Four other airlines operate the route: avianca, Delta, United, and Volaris.

Alaska’s other long routes above 2,000 miles this month include:

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