Alaska Airlines Finally Returns to Long Beach Airport, First Passengers Celebrate with Cake and a DJ
If you prefer Long Beach Airport but like flying with Alaska Airlines, you no longer have to choose between them. Alaska returned to the airport on Tuesday, Sept. 8, after more than a decade away.
The airline is starting with one route to Seattle. Nonstop flights now travel between Long Beach Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport twice a day.
Travelers have two departure times to choose from in each city. The earliest flight leaves Long Beach at 7:02 a.m., while the last one arrives from Seattle at 8:59 p.m.
Long Beach Airport celebrated Alaska’s return with cake, giveaways and a live DJ. Unfortunately for other travelers at the airport, those extras were only for passengers traveling one of these routes on the first day.
Alaska Flies to Seattle Twice a Day
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According to Long Beach Airport, the morning flight leaves Long Beach at 7:02 a.m. and arrives in Seattle at 9:45 a.m.
The second flight takes off at 3:34 p.m. and lands at 6:17 p.m. Travelers leaving Seattle can choose between flights at 11:20 a.m. and 6:13 p.m. They arrive in Long Beach at 2:10 p.m. and 8:59 p.m.
The service is available year-round, and tickets are already on sale.
The First Passengers Got a Small Party
Passengers on the first incoming and outgoing flights on Sept. 8 were treated to a fun party to celebrate the route.
The airport brought in a live DJ and served a cake to celebrate the new route. Travelers also received Long Beach Airport-themed giveaways.
Mayor Rex Richardson said the Seattle flights will give Long Beach residents more options when planning a trip. Airport Director Cynthia Guidry added that the route gives passengers another convenient destination to visit.
Long Beach Airport Has 21 Nonstop Destinations
The Seattle route brought Long Beach Airport’s nonstop destinations to 21. Travelers can also make nearly 400 one-stop connections from the airport.
Alaska joins Delta, Southwest and Hawaiian as the airlines currently serving Long Beach. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have been part of the same company since 2024, but they continue using their separate names.
Hawaiian has flown from Long Beach to Honolulu since 2018 and added Maui in 2021. For now, Seattle is the only Alaska Airlines destination announced from Long Beach.
