Alaska Airlines is launching 10 new routes to warm-weather vacation destinations this winter

• Alaska Airlines is launching 10 new routes from the West Coast to warm-weather cities this winter.

• The carrier is expanding its international presence with three new nonstops to Mexico and one to Belize.

• Alaska just announced its first profitable quarter since the pandemic during earnings on Thursday.

Alaska Airlines is starting 10 new routes from its hubs along the West Coast to sunny cities in Mexico, the Southeast, Texas, and Latin America.

The expansion comes as the airline continues to grow its international presence, having more nonstops to Mexico from the West Coast than any other US-based carrier. This winter, Alaska will have a total of 27 departures a day to Mexico from California and the Pacific Northwest.

“Our guests are eager to relax, disconnect and have fun, and the places we fly to in Mexico are ideal locations to do that,” Alaska vice president of network and alliances Brett Catlin said in a release. “With a total of seven nonstop destinations from the Bay Area this winter, including options from San Francisco and San Jose, tropical paradise is just a few hours away.”

Alaska’s network expansion is also a result of increased passenger demand for air travel and the airline industry’s continued post-pandemic recovery.

“Since March, our bookings for leisure travel have exceeded what they were before the pandemic. For many of our guests, there’s an increased confidence that comes after being vaccinated. They were cooped up for well over a year – now they’re ready to relax, enjoy, and explore,” said Catlin.

The airline posted an income of $187 million for the third quarter on Thursday, excluding special items, marking the company’s first profitable quarter since the pandemic. The company continues to expect growth with the expansion of routes and the delivery of 12 Boeing 737-9 aircraft to be received by 2024.

Here’s a closer look at Alaska’s 10 new winter routes.

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Between Seattle and Belize City, Belize

Alaska will start twice-weekly service on Fridays and Saturdays between Seattle and Belize City starting November 19 using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The outbound will depart at 8:30 a.m. and land at 4:35 p.m., with the return leaving at 11:00 a.m. and arriving at 3:55 p.m. The seasonal route will operate through May 22 and will face no competition.

Between Los Angeles and Belize City, Belize

Alaska will start four times weekly service on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between Los Angeles and Belize City starting November 19 using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The outbound will depart at 11:00 a.m. and land at 5:30 p.m., with the return leaving at 10:00 a.m. and arriving at 1:30 p.m. The seasonal route will operate through May 24 and will face no competition.

Between Palm Springs, California and Austin, Texas

Alaska will start five times weekly service on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between Austin and Palm Springs starting November 19 using an Embraer 175 aircraft. The outbound will depart at 11:05 a.m. and arrive at 4:10 p.m., with the return leaving at 9:00 a.m. and landing at 10:35 a.m. The seasonal route will operate through April 18 and will face no competition.

Between San Francisco and Cancun, Mexico

Alaska will start four times weekly service on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays between San Francisco and Cancun starting December 16 using a Boeing 737 aircraft. The outbound will depart at 9:40 a.m. and land at 5:55 p.m., with the return leaving at 11:00 a.m. and arriving at 2:00 p.m. The seasonal route will operate through April 18 and will face competition from United Airlines and JetBlue Airways.

Between Portland, Oregon and Tampa, Florida

Alaska will start weekly service between Portland and Tampa starting December 16 using a Boeing 737 aircraft. The outbound will depart at 12:10 p.m. and land at 8:29 p.m., with the return leaving at 8:00 a.m. and arriving at 11:00 a.m. The seasonal route will operate through April 18 and will face no competition.

Between Portland, Oregon and New Orleans, Louisiana

Alaska will start thrice-weekly service between Portland and New Orleans starting December 16 using a Boeing 737 aircraft. The outbound will depart at 12:00 p.m. and land at 6:30 p.m., with the return leaving at 8:00 a.m. and arriving at 11:10 a.m. The seasonal route will operate through April 18 and will face no competition.

Between San Francisco and Loreto, Mexico

Alaska will start a Saturday-only service between San Francisco and Loreto starting December 18 using an Airbus A320 aircraft. The outbound will depart at 12:00 p.m. and land at 3:40 p.m., with the return leaving at 4:50 p.m. and arriving at 6:45 p.m. The seasonal route will operate through April 16 and will face no competition.

Between San Francisco and Mazatlán, Mexico

Alaska will start a Saturday-only service between San Francisco and Mazatlán starting December 18 using an Airbus A320 aircraft. The outbound will depart at 11:50 p.m. and land at 4:10 p.m., with the return leaving at 5:15 p.m. and arriving at 8:01 p.m. The seasonal route will operate through April 16 and will face no competition.

Between San Francisco and Zihuatanejo, Mexico

Alaska will start a Saturday-only service between San Francisco and Zihuatanejo starting December 18 using an Airbus A320 aircraft. The outbound will depart at 8:00 a.m. and land at 2:15 p.m., with the return leaving at 5:25 p.m. and arriving at 8:11 p.m. The seasonal route will operate through April 16 and will face no competition.

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