ALK Alaska Air Group Inc

SEATTLE, June 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden announced today during a keynote speech at the JumpStart Air Service Development conference that Alaska will add new flying between Portland, Oregon, and Austin, Texas, and Eugene, Oregon, and San Jose, California, beginning Nov. 5.

"San Jose and Austin are two of our most requested cities from our customers in the Willamette Valley," said John Kirby, Alaska's vice president of capacity planning. "We're excited to add the Live Music Capital of the World to our growing list of destinations from the Rose City, and our new flight to San Jose is our first-ever nonstop from Eugene to the Bay Area. These routes will also connect key tech markets in three states."

Tickets will be available for purchase at www.alaskaair.com beginning June 9.

Summary of new Portland-Austin flying:             

Summary of new Eugene-San Jose flying:           

Flight times based on local time zones

The Portland-Austin flight will be operated for Alaska by SkyWest Airlines, using new 76-seat Embraer 175 jets. The E175 jet features 12 seats in first class and 64 in coach, and with cabin dimensions on par with a 737. Onboard amenities include Wi-Fi Internet access, streaming inflight entertainment and 110 volt power in every first class seat. Food and beverage will include hot meals and picnic packs for purchase, in addition to Northwest microbrews and wine.

"Year-round nonstop service to Portland is a prized route for Central Texas," said Jim Smith, Executive Director, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. "Whether for business or fun, the Portland-Austin connection is popular with our customers."

The Eugene-San Jose flight will be operated by Alaska's sister carrier Horizon Air, using a 76-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft. Customers flying on flights operated by Horizon can enjoy free soft drinks and Starbucks coffee, a la cart planeside baggage service, and complimentary Northwest wine and microbrews for passengers 21 years and older.

"Nonstop service to San Jose is a critical piece of the puzzle in supporting the exciting growth of start-ups and technology companies we are experiencing here in the Willamette Valley," said Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce President Dave Hauser. "We're pleased to support this exciting announcement."

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves more than 100 cities through an expansive network in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study for eight consecutive years from 2008 to 2015. Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the J.D. Power 2014 and 2015 Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit Alaska Airlines' newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

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SOURCE Alaska Airlines