Alaska Airlines is adding new nonstop service between Anchorage and Salt Lake City. With the addition of a new route from Alaska’s largest city, Alaska Airlines flyers will enjoy nonstop service between the state of Alaska and the top 10 travel markets in the Lower 48.
Look Out Delta
When Delta bought Western Airlines in 1987, Delta inherited the hub operations at Salt Lake City, UT. I would surmise that Alaska Airlines will put the heat on Delta with this new nonstop service. Delta currently operates one daily nonstop from SLC to ANC which is an overnight flight as shown below.
Alaska Airlines will operate its SLC – ANC nonstop service during daylight hours. Initially, these flights will be flown on Saturdays and Sundays in each direction. I suspect that if the traffic between SLC and ANC is there, Alaska will increase the flight frequency.
Alaska Airlines will operate the new route using 178-passenger, Boeing 737-900 aircraft.
Connecting Anchorage With More Nonstop Flights
With the post-pandemic opening of the State of Alaska and increase passenger volumes, it makes sense to add another nonstop flight to/from the lower 48 states. Alaska Airlines already provides nonstop service between three Hawaii destinations and nine cities in the lower 48. This new service adds a tenth nonstop flight to/from the lower 48.
Final Thoughts
As “The Last Frontier” opens back up, the airline competition to Anchorage has been heating up. With Alaska Airlines adding Salt Lake City into the nonstop mix, it will put a little pressure on Delta as Alaska adds flights from Delta’s home turf, Salt Lake City.
