Alaska Airlines launches third route to Washington National Airport

Alaska Airlines’ Portland to Washington National

• Alaska Airlines launched its third route to the US federal capital’s downtown airport Washington Reagan, VA (DCA) on 28 August. The airline, which already flies to the airport from Seattle and Los Angeles, now also flies daily from Portland, OR (PDX). The 3,780-kilometre transcontinental route is operated with 157-seat 737-800s. Indirect competition at Washington Dulles comes from United’s also daily flights. Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines’ VP marketing, who was joined on the first flight by six Oregon World War II veterans, said: “Providing residents of the greater Portland area with convenient nonstop service to the closest airport to our nation’s capital has been a priority for us for more than seven years and we’re delighted to celebrate this day with six men who sacrificed so much for our country.” Senator Maria Cantwell, chair of the US Senate subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety and Security, added: “This nonstop flight to D.C. represents economic opportunity for Portland and Southwest Washington and is a boost for business and tourism. That’s why I helped to write the provision in the FAA reauthorization bill that created new flights from Western cities to our nation’s capital. This flight will help Portland-area businesses reach their customers more quickly and it makes this region a more attractive place for businesses to locate and create jobs.”