Alaska Airlines is adding new routes out of the Pacific Northwest. The carrier has announced four new routes, with two each out of Boise and Seattle. Bolstering the airline's presence in the Pacific Northwest, the new routes will also take advantage of the airline's impending entry into the oneworld alliance in just a few weeks and its expanded partnership with American Airlines.

Alaska Airlines adds two new routes out of Boise

Alaska Airlines is continuing its expansion spree with two new flights out of Boise Airport (BOI) in Idaho. The airline will fly daily nonstop service to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). Both flights will operate using regional entity Horizon's Embraer E175 aircraft.

Brett Catlin, Alaska's Vice President of Network and Alliances, stated the following on the new routes:

"Alaska has long been Boise's largest carrier and we're excited to grow our presence with new eastward connections. As Boise continues to grow its diverse and vibrant economy, we look forward to serving the needs of the community with nonstop flights, low fares and great service."

Alaska Embraer
The Embraer E175s, a very versatile aircraft, should fit these routes well. Photo: Jay Singh | Simple Flying

Connecting Boise to Chicago will allow Alaska's passengers to connect onto American's domestic and international network out of ORD. This will include new transatlantic connecting opportunities on American metal from Chicago. Alaska's single daily flight will complement American's daily flight between Boise and Chicago this summer. The two airlines will compete against United Airlines on this route.

Austin is a growing tech city that is getting a lot of love from airlines. The connection between the two cities will enable nonstop travelers from Idaho to see the sights in Austin and vice versa.

Alaska E175
The new routes are expanding Alaska's Pacific Northwest presence. Photo: Alaska Airlines

Separately, bolstering Boise, Alaska will add an additional daily flight between Boise and Sacramento. The airline is aggressively ramping-up capacity not just with new flights but increased frequencies in other markets.

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Seattle gets two brand new destinations

Out of Alaska's largest hub in Seattle, the airline is resuming two cities that used to be served by its network: Idaho Falls and Redding. From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the airline will fly nonstop to Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) and Redding Municipal Airport (RDD). Both of these flights will operate from June 17th with daily operations using Q400 turboprop aircraft under the Horizon brand.

Alaska Q400
Alaska Airlines will use Q400 turboprops to connect Redding and Idaho Falls to Alaska. Photo: Getty Images

Seattle is Alaska's largest hub, so the connecting opportunities to and from the city will also help support these flights. Redding only has service from United Airlines, currently, with flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Idaho Falls will get its only year-round service to the West Coast on Alaska.

Alaska is gearing up to join oneworld

Alaska is ecstatic about joining the oneworld alliance, and these new flights prove it. The airline is trying to add new and unique itineraries and connecting opportunities to leverage its new international partners.

Seattle planes
Not only is Seattle a big base for Alaska, but it is also home to several connecting opportunities on oneworld partners. Photo: Alaska Airlines

Boise is a city that Alaska is strong in, so it makes sense for the airline to grow its presence in the city and allow its loyal fliers to access new destinations and perhaps gain some new loyal fliers. The airline is ready to turn the page on the difficult crisis and hoping this year proves to be a good one.

In addition, the Redding and Idaho Falls flights will not have a lot of demand for flights out to Shanghai or Bangalore, which American is launching, but they will give the alliance and its members more opportunities to fly into those cities.

Alaska Getty
Alaska provides a big boost to the oneworld alliance in California. Photo: Getty Images

It is important to remember that the corporate contracts and premium customers are important, but so are the domestic leisure travelers, and that is what Alaska Airlines is catering to with these new flights and hoping that the market will get stronger for outdoor destinations this summer.

From Redding, passengers can access Mt. Shasta and the Redwoods – two fantastic outdoor attractions. Meanwhile, Idaho Falls is another access point to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. And, for passengers that do not want to fly into Jackson Hole, a great opportunity to get to Jackson Hole from an alternate city with a little bit of a drive.

Are you glad to see Alaska Airlines add these four new routes? Let us know in the comments!