Alaska Airlines Reports Fall Booking Trends Driven by Hawaiian getaway, Increased California travel

As business travel rebounds, Alaska is responding by increasing capacity at its California hubs, particularly in San Francisco and San DiegoPhoto byJohn FengonUnsplash

Alaska Airlines is observing notable trends in its fall bookings, with a marked increase in interest toward smaller, lesser-known destinations. This shift reflects travelers’ desire for unique experiences as they plan their trips this season.

Thanksgiving is set to be the peak travel period, with nearly half a million guests expected to fly over the holiday weekend. The airline anticipates that Dec. 1 will be the busiest day of the year, with passenger numbers projected to rise across major West Coast hubs. San Francisco will see a 15% increase, Seattle expects to serve 230,000 guests (a 6% rise), while Portland will experience the largest surge, with a 35% increase, translating to about 85,000 additional travelers.

This fall, bookings to Hawaiʻi are strong as travelers aim to support the local economy following last year's wildfires. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines offer 66 daily flights to the islands from the continental U.S.

As business travel rebounds, Alaska is responding by increasing capacity at its California hubs, particularly in San Francisco and San Diego. Additionally, interest in Latin American destinations is growing, leading to new routes and expanded services to places like Guatemala and La Paz.

The airline is also seeing heightened demand for smaller markets, such as Bellingham, Missoula, and Santa Rosa. In response, Alaska has increased flight capacity to Bellingham and introduced a new nonstop route connecting Santa Rosa to Las Vegas, enhancing access to California’s wine country.