Alaska Airlines returned to Long Beach Airport Tuesday after an absence of more than a decade, launching twice-daily nonstop service between Long Beach and Seattle.
The year-round service between Long Beach Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport began Tuesday, with the airport marking the first inbound and outbound flights with gate celebrations featuring a live DJ, commemorative cake and giveaways for passengers.
“Nonstop service to Seattle gives Long Beach travelers more choice and greater flexibility when planning their next trip,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “We’re pleased to see Alaska Airlines expand its presence at Long Beach Airport and strengthen our connection to the Pacific Northwest. Every new route is an opportunity to make air travel more convenient for our community.”
Flights from Long Beach are scheduled to depart at 7:02 a.m. and 3:34 p.m., arriving in Seattle at 9:45 a.m. and 6:17 p.m., respectively.
Flights from Seattle are scheduled to depart at 11:20 a.m. and 6:13 p.m., arriving in Long Beach at 2:10 p.m. and 8:59 p.m., respectively.
Alaska Airlines announced the route in May as part of an expansion of its California service, marking its return to Long Beach after a decade-long absence.
“We’re excited to see Alaska Airlines expand its service at Long Beach Airport,” Airport Director Cynthia Guidry said. “Alaska’s Seattle service builds on our partnership while giving our passengers another convenient destination to explore.”
The Seattle flights expand service between Long Beach and the Pacific Northwest. Southwest Airlines began daily nonstop flights from Long Beach to Seattle and Portland in August.
Alaska’s new service makes the airline the only carrier flying between Seattle and all five major Los Angeles-area airports, according to the airline.
The Long Beach-Seattle route is scheduled to use Boeing 737 aircraft.
Alaska’s return adds to its presence at Long Beach through Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska Air Group completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings in September 2024, with the carriers continuing to operate under separate brands.
Hawaiian began nonstop service from Long Beach to Honolulu in 2018 and Maui in 2021 and opened an Airbus A321neo maintenance base at the airport in 2022.
Long Beach Airport currently offers nonstop service to 21 destinations and nearly 400 one-stop connections worldwide, according to airport officials.