Alaska Airlines To Cut Four Routes: Two from Los Angeles And Austin

Alaska Airlines has announced four new route cuts, impacting Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) the most.

Four route cuts

The Points Guy reported that it discovered the four route cuts by analyzing Cirium's airline schedule data. Two routes are being cut in November of this year, and the other two will be cut in January and May next year. Below is the list of the route cuts:

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) — Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), effective Nov. 30, 2022.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — AUS, effective Jan. 9, 2023.
LAX — Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), effective Nov. 30, 2022.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) — Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), effective May 23, 2023.

LAX and AUS are losing two routes, and there is something to note about each airport. LAX is a base for Alaska Airlines, and Austin has seen significant growth over the past few years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin experienced a boom, with large companies setting up operations in the Texas city.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 flying over Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

According to the airline, the routes were cut because they were not popular amongst passengers. Photo: Alaska Airlines

Though Alaska is cutting the four routes, there is still good news for its customers. Alaska and American are part of the oneworld alliance and partner under an alliance on the West Coast. Because of this, Alaska's customers wishing to fly on three of the four routes being cut will have the option of flying with American.

Recent Alaska Airlines news

Alaska Air Cargo is ferrying a record number of hops to breweries in Alaska and Hawai'i. In less than 24 hours, the hops were harvested, flown, and processed at the breweries. Over 1,200 pounds of undried hops were flown to Maui Brewing Co. in Hawaii and 49th State Brewing in the northern state of Alaska. Adam Drouhard, Managing Director for cargo for Alaska Airlines, spoke on the importance of the airline's Seattle hub for the transport of the hops.

Photo: Alaska Airlines

"This is a potential game-changer for the craft beer industry and farm-to-glass collaboration at its finest. This puts a Northwest agricultural product in places that don't normally get it. With the size and scope we have in Seattle, we are really positioned to own this."

Two days ago, Alaska issued a statement that as a result of an investigation into systemic abuse of players in the United States' National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), it would be evaluating its sponsorships of the two Portland-based football (soccer) teams.

"We are deeply concerned by the findings in the Sally Q. Yates independent report, commissioned by U.S. Soccer. We recognize the remendous courage of the women's soccer players and others who came forward. As a long-standing partner of the Portland Thorns and Timbers FC, our priority is supporting the players and ensuring any action we take contributes to positive systemic change. We are currently assessing options to fulfill those objectives."

Delta Air Lines is an official airline sponsor of the NWSL and has not positioned itself on the issue.