Alaska Airlines Adds 4 CA Routes from Santa Rosa & Long Beach

Alaska Airlines has announced a significant Alaska Airlines California expansion, adding four new nonstop routes that bolster its presence in both Northern and Southern California. The carrier will introduce three new seasonal destinations from Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (STS) and resume service between Long Beach Airport (LGB) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) after more than a decade. The Santa Rosa new flight routes and the return to Long Beach underscore the airline's strategy to fortify its West Coast network amid growing competition.

The expansion reflects a dual focus: capturing leisure demand from California's wine country and re-establishing a key link in the competitive Southern California market. From Santa Rosa, new seasonal flights to Boise (BOI), Phoenix (PHX), and Salt Lake City (SLC) will commence on November 1, 2026. Meanwhile, the carrier will re-launch its Long Beach to Seattle flights with twice-daily, year-round service starting September 8, 2026. This move not only reconnects two key West Coast cities but also integrates with Hawaiian Airlines' network following its acquisition by Alaska Air Group.

Santa Rosa Expansion and Competitive Landscape

The three new routes from Santa Rosa increase Alaska's total nonstop destinations from the airport to 12. This expansion is a direct response to increased competition in the region. In April 2026, Southwest Airlines launched its own services from STS to four cities, creating a new competitive dynamic in California's wine country. Alaska's move to add winter destinations like Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Boise is strategically timed to appeal to travelers seeking sun or ski escapes.

According to Cirium data, total departures from STS were up nearly 20% year-over-year in the first half of 2026, indicating strong and growing demand for air travel in the region. The new services will be operated by Embraer E175 regional jets, which are well-suited for these markets. The expansion is expected to further boost passenger traffic at STS, which has become a key battleground for West Coast connectivity.

Return to Long Beach

Alaska Airlines' return to Long Beach marks a significant milestone, as the airline last operated flights to the airport in 2015. The decade-long hiatus ends with a twice-daily service to its primary hub in Seattle, operated by Boeing 737 aircraft. The decision is notable given the historical challenges airlines have faced at the slot-controlled and noise-sensitive airport, which prompted JetBlue Airways to abandon its hub there in October 2020.

The re-entry into LGB is also strategically linked to the recent acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. The new SEA-LGB route will provide direct connectivity to Hawaiian Airlines' existing flights from Long Beach to Honolulu and Maui. This synergy allows passengers a seamless travel option to Hawaii, bypassing the more congested Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). "Alaska is committed to California, and we're proud to offer guests across the state even more options for their next vacation or work trip," stated Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning at Alaska Airlines.

Fleet and Onboard Service

The new routes will feature modern aircraft equipped with upgraded amenities. The Embraer E175 jets serving the Santa Rosa routes are part of Alaska's regional fleet, which is now entirely equipped with high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi. This makes Alaska Airlines the only carrier in the world to offer satellite internet across its whole regional operation, a significant differentiator for passengers on these shorter flights. The larger Boeing 737s on the Long Beach-Seattle route will offer Alaska's standard mainline service.

The official announcement from Alaska Airlines details the specific schedules and service classes available on these new flights, catering to both business and leisure travelers.

What Comes Next

The rollout of these new services is scheduled for the second half of 2026. The confirmed timeline is as follows:

• September 8, 2026: Service between Long Beach (LGB) and Seattle (SEA) is scheduled to launch.
• November 1, 2026: The three new seasonal routes from Santa Rosa (STS) to Boise, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City will commence operations.

Additionally, Alaska Airlines expects to complete the rollout of Starlink Wi-Fi across its mainline fleet by late 2026, further enhancing its onboard product consistency.

Why This Matters

This network expansion is a strategic move by Alaska Airlines to reinforce its dominance on the U.S. West Coast. The new routes from Santa Rosa directly counter a competitive push from Southwest Airlines, while the return to Long Beach leverages the Hawaiian Airlines acquisition to create new, convenient travel itineraries. For travelers, it means more nonstop options from secondary airports, improved connectivity, and access to a better-connected regional and transpacific network.