dailynewsnblog
In most weeks of the year, at least one US airline begins or resumes a route. Between March 17 and 21, 
Alaska Airlines and United Airlines introduced seven of them—and one of them has never had nonstop flights by any passenger operator.
Similar articles have been produced in previous weeks. For example, on March 11, 14 US routes began in five days. On February 11, 15 links started in the same number of days. Some of the additions make my weekly celebratory new routes article (see the most recent edition).
Alaska Airlines Has Started These Five Routes
The additions include Portland to Bellingham, which was previously part of the airline’s network eight years ago. At 191 nautical miles (356 km) each way, Cirium Diio data shows that it is the carrier’s new tenth-shortest route fully within the Lower 48 in April. It ranks fourth from Portland, which is its second-busiest hub by daily departures.
Tulsa is new to Alaska’s map. However, the airline has flown to Oklahoma City since 2015, with all services from Seattle. The two routes to Tulsa means that the city, despite being new to its network, has more links than Oklahoma City. In April, Alaska has three daily departures to Oklahoma, which is, of course, by far its greatest offering to date.
|
Start Date |
Route |
Alaska’s Operations In April* |
Served By Alaska Before? |
Head-To-Head Competition? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
March 18 |
Ontario to Santa Rosa |
Daily SkyWest E175 |
No |
No. Served by Avelo in 2024/2025. Until then, the airport pair was unserved |
|
March 18 |
Portland to Bellingham |
Daily Horizon Air/SkyWest E175 |
Yes: 2010, then 2012-2018 |
No. For obvious reasons, this market has only ever had flights by Alaska |
|
March 18 |
San Diego to Tulsa |
Daily Horizon Air E175 |
No |
No. Frontier operated in 2018, while Expressjet did so in 2007/2008. Until then, no flights had existed |
|
March 18 |
Seattle to Tulsa |
Daily Horizon Air E175 |
No |
No. And no nonstop flights have previously been available |
|
March 21 |
Los Angeles to Lihue |
Initially on the weekend only on the 737 MAX 8. But it replaces Hawaiian on April 22, when the ‘HA’ IATA code will cease being used |
Yes: 2021/2022 |
Yes: American, Delta, Southwest, United |
|
* They may vary at other times |
United Has Launched These Two Routes
You would be forgiven for thinking that the west-central Texas city of Abilene was already part of United’s map. But it wasn’t. And it was only fairly briefly served in the past, with flights from 
Houston Intercontinental amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
Abilene returned to its network on March 17, and in a very different way. This time, United Express has two routes: Denver (twice-daily on SkyWest CRJ200s) and Houston (daily on SkyWest CRJ200s). The airline’s return means that Abilene has two operators again, joining American Eagle from Dallas/Fort Worth.
The addition of Denver is particularly intriguing, as Colorado has not previously been served. It is the first time that Abilene has had flights to the Western US since Allegiant ceased flying to Las Vegas 19 years ago.
United’s new link means that passengers can now fly across the West without having to backtrack to Dallas or Houston. Another option will be available soon, as American Eagle will begin the first flight to Phoenix in June.
United Airlines Adds 89% More Boeing 737 MAX Transatlantic Flights: Here’s Where They’re Going
Get ready for a summer of soaring transatlantic flights, as United grows its MAX 8 activity by 89%. But is it all as it seems?
Seattle To Tulsa Is A Brand-New Market
Routes that have returned to an airline’s network are intriguing, especially those that were last served long ago. But those that have never been served by any airline are by far the most exciting and notable. In this sense, Seattle to Tulsa fits the bill.
According to the US Department of Transportation, this city pair had 44,892 round-trip passengers between November 2024 and October 2025. That is equivalent to 61 passengers daily each way. Seattle was Tulsa’s largest unserved domestic market. With 35% of the market, Southwest was the leading operator. It has the most to lose from the new nonstop service.
At 1,354 nautical miles (2,508 km) each way, Seattle-Tulsa is Alaska’s new longest E175-operated service within the Lower 48 this year. When its routes to/from/within Alaska are included, it ranks second, behind Spokane to Anchorage.
