Alaska Airlines adds Loreto, Mexico as 50th San Diego route

Alaska Airlines will launch seasonal direct flights from San Diego to Loreto, Mexico starting December 19. This makes Loreto the airline's 50th destination served from San Diego International Airport.

According to the airline, the new route will operate twice a week until April. The flights will be operated by SkyWest Airlines using Embraer 175 aircraft. Wi-Fi will be available on board for members of Alaska's loyalty program.

Route and Service Details

The Loreto service is seasonal. Alaska Airlines states it will be the only airline offering regular passenger flights on this specific corridor. The carrier highlighted its local presence in San Diego. It maintains a pilot and flight attendant base in the region. Some employees who helped launch the airline's first flight from San Diego 40 years ago are still with the company.

Celebrating 40 Years in San Diego

The new route launch coincides with Alaska Airlines celebrating 40 years of operations at San Diego International Airport. Darren Scott, Alaska Airlines' Managing Director of Network, said the company is proud to offer more direct destinations from San Diego than any other airline and to be the leading company operating flights to Mexico from this market.

"Launching our 50th direct destination from San Diego, while celebrating 40 years of service to the region, is a meaningful way to thank our guests for choosing Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines and trusting us to connect them with the places they want to visit," Scott said.

To mark the anniversary, the airline is running a giveaway for 40 people. It also continues to operate its regular routes from San Diego to other Mexican destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos.

Future Airport Investments

Alaska Airlines is building a new VIP lounge at the San Diego airport terminal. The company projects the lounge will open in 2028.

Neil Thwaites, Vice President of Global Sales and Commercial Performance in California for Alaska Airlines, emphasized the airline's community ties. "We are proud to be San Diego's hometown airline, with deep roots in the community, the most extensive network, and the only airline with a pilot and flight attendant base in the region," Thwaites said. "Some of the employees who helped launch our first flight from San Diego still work at Alaska, a sign of their dedication and our constant commitment to this community. Celebrating 40 years in San Diego, we thank our employees and our loyal passengers who choose Alaska every day."

The airline reiterated its claim as the leading carrier for flights to Mexico from the San Diego market.