Alaska Airlines’ roots trace back to 1932, when Linious “Mac” McGee and Harvey Barnhill began operating charter flights between Anchorage and Bristol Bay using a single three-seat Stinson aircraft. Despite its ambition, the small airline faced the constant challenge of serving a less populated and highly seasonal market. Around the same time, another operator, Star Air Service, was established in Anchorage by three pilots that were offering flight instruction and charters. The two companies eventually merged in 1934, forming the foundation for what would become Alaska Airlines.

From its beginnings as a regional carrier serving remote Alaskan communities, the airline gradually expanded across the West Coast and, after deregulation in 1978, it expanded its presence significantly and is now one of the largest US airlines. The carrier currently operates an extensive network across North America, and its latest growth surge can be seen in San Diego, where flight capacity has jumped by more than 40% in just one year.

Alaska Airlines Is Strengthening Its San Diego Network With New Routes & More Flights

Credit: Shutterstock

Indeed, San Diego International Airport has become one of Alaska Airlines’ key airports in California and the one showing the fastest growth. Since 2019, the airline’s presence has increased by more than 30% in both the number of flights and total seat capacity. The carrier continues to strengthen its network from the southern Californian city with a mix of new routes and additional frequencies on existing ones. Earlier this year, Alaska Airlines announced several new nonstop routes and frequency increases from San Diego as part of its broader network expansion.

The airline launched three new year-round services, to Phoenix (started on August 20), Chicago O’Hare, and Denver (both launched on October 4). Each route currently operates three times per week. Besides that, with the start of the northern winter season on October 26, Alaska also boosted frequencies on key domestic routes, including Las Vegas, Sacramento, San Jose, and Salt Lake City. According to aviation analytics provider Cirium data, between November 2025 and February 2026, Alaska will operate more than 10,000 flights from San Diego, which is nearly 40% more than the same period last winter.

This includes flights operated by its regional partners, Horizon Air and SkyWest Airlines. This year, the winter schedule will see several recently launched routes continue into the season, including the new year-round daily service to Washington National that began in March and a daily connection to Medford. In addition, the oneworld Alliance member will introduce a new seasonal service in December to Sun Valley that will operate through March 2026.

As Competition Rises, Alaska Airlines Finds More Opportunity In San Diego

Credit: Shutterstock

Simple Flying readers will know that in recent weeks, Alaska Airlines has cut several routes and is gradually shifting its focus toward cities where it sees stronger growth opportunities. San Diego has clearly become one of those focus points. For instance, the airline will end its San Diego–Atlanta route on March 17. It appears that Alaska finds it difficult to compete with Delta Air Lines on this corridor, given that Atlanta is Delta’s main hub.

Cirium data shows that this month, the SkyTeam Alliance member operates up to seven daily flights between the two cities compared to Alaska’s single daily service. Over the year, it has scheduled more than 2,100 one-way flights from San Diego to Atlanta, while Alaska has only 352. But overall, San Diego remains a market with plenty of potential. The airport recently opened its new Terminal 1, which adds 11 more gates and gives airlines more room to grow.

Currently, as per Cirium data for 2025, Southwest Airlines holds the largest share of total flights at San Diego International Airport, accounting for about 34.3% (35,552 flights). Alaska follows with roughly 24.6% (25,555 flights), ahead of Delta at 11.3% (11,718 flights), United Airlines at 11% (11,488 flights), and American Airlines at 9% (9,346 flights). By the end of this year, Alaska will have operated around 45 routes from San Diego and offered over three million one-way seats.

It is now the airline’s third-largest base after Seattle and Phoenix. Compared to last year, Alaska’s flights from San Diego have grown by just over 19%, adding more than 4,100 flights. Next year, its schedule shows a further 48% increase in flights during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period this year.

Alaska Airlines Adds Five New Nonstop Routes From San Diego In Spring 2026

Credit: Shutterstock

During the spring 2026 season alone, Alaska Airlines expects to grow its San Diego operations by more than 35%. The airline will add five new year-round nonstop routes. The new routes to Dallas/Fort Worth, Oakland, Raleigh-Durham, and Santa Barbara will begin on April 22, while service to Tulsa will commence earlier on March 18.

The airline will operate the San Diego–Dallas/Fort Worth route twice daily using Boeing 737 aircraft, while Oakland will see four daily departures on Embraer E175 jets. The Raleigh-Durham and Tulsa routes will each operate once daily, with the 737 serving Raleigh-Durham and the E175 serving Tulsa. Meanwhile, Santa Barbara will see two daily departures, also operated by the E175.

In addition to these new routes, Alaska is adding more flights between San Diego and Santa Rosa/Sonoma. The route will now be operated three times a day, which will offer passengers more flexibility and help strengthen the oneworld alliance member’s position in southern California’s competitive market.