Alaska Airlines awarded slots to serve Mexico City from San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego

SEATTLE, March 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has tentatively awarded Alaska Airlines coveted slots at Mexico City'sBenito Juarez International Airport from San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego with flights starting this summer. Tickets and flight schedule details will be announced at a later date, following final government approval.

"We are excited to serve Mexico City nonstop from our three largest California gateways," said John Kirby, vice president of capacity planning at Alaska Airlines. "Service to Benito Juarez International Airport enhances Alaska Airlines' expansive West Coast network and gives our valued guests access to the largest metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere."

The year-round nonstop service will operate once daily between Mexico City and San Francisco, once daily between Mexico City and San Diego and twice daily between Mexico City and Los Angeles. The new service is the ninth destination Alaska serves to Mexico from California, including: Cancun, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Loreto, Los Cabos, Manzanillo, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Alaska began flying to Mexico in 1988 and today operates 96 flights a week—more than any other U.S. carrier from California. Alaska previously served Mexico City from 2005 to 2015.

The Mexico City flights will operate using fuel-efficient Boeing 737 and Embraer E175 aircraft. Onboard, guests will enjoy Alaska's award-winning service, along with features to help make the most of their flight. Alaska Beyond Entertainment offers free entertainment direct to customers' own devices. Other onboard amenities include a selection of food and beverage inspired by local chefs, custom leather seats with adjustable headrests, and power outlets throughout the cabin.

Alaska Airlines and Virgin America along with their regional partners, fly 40 million customers a year to 118 destinations with an average of 1,200 daily flights across the United States and to Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica and Cuba. With Alaska and Alaska Global Partners, customers can earn and redeem miles on flights to nearly 1,000 destinations worldwide. Learn more about Alaska's award-winning service and unmatched reliability at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).

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SOURCE Alaska Airlines