Key Takeaways
• Alaska Airlines launched nonstop flights from LAX to La Paz and Monterrey between Nov 2024 and Feb 2025.
• The airline offers nearly 16 daily departures to 15 Latin American cities from Los Angeles in winter 2025.
• New routes improve travel options for tourists, families, business travelers, and immigrants between US and Mexico.
Alaska Airlines Expands International Routes: New Connections to Mexico and Central America from Los Angeles and Seattle
Alaska Airlines has taken a major step in 2025 by expanding its international network, focusing on new routes between the United States 🇺🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽, as well as Central America. This move is especially important for travelers using Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle as their main airports. The airline’s recent changes mean more choices for people looking to visit family, do business, or enjoy vacations in these regions. Alaska Airlines now stands out as the leading U.S. carrier for flights to Mexico from the West Coast, offering the most flights, seats, and nonstop routes.
Let’s look at what these changes mean, why they matter, and how they affect travelers, businesses, and the broader immigration landscape.
Alaska Airlines’ New Routes: Who, What, When, Where, and Why
Who: Alaska Airlines, a major U.S. airline, is behind these new international connections.
What: The airline has launched new nonstop flights from Los Angeles to La Paz and Monterrey in Mexico. It has also added routes from other U.S. cities to destinations in Mexico and Central America.
When: The new routes started between November 2024 and February 2025, with more expansions planned through 2025 and beyond.
Where: The main focus is on Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle, but other cities like Kansas City, St. Louis, and Fresno are also included.
Why: Alaska Airlines wants to meet growing demand for travel between the United States 🇺🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽, as well as Central America. The airline is also taking advantage of less crowded markets, aiming to offer more choices and better service for both leisure and business travelers.
Key New Routes from Los Angeles to Mexico
Los Angeles (LAX) to La Paz (LAP)
- Service began: November 20, 2024
- Frequency: Up to three round trips per week
- Aircraft: Embraer E175
- Unique feature: Alaska Airlines is the only U.S. carrier flying to La Paz, a coastal city known for its beautiful beaches and rich marine life.
- Who benefits: Tourists looking for a quiet getaway, people visiting family, and anyone interested in the Sea of Cortez, often called “The Aquarium of the World.”
Los Angeles (LAX) to Monterrey (MTY)
- Service began: February 13, 2025
- Frequency: Daily nonstop flights
- Aircraft: Embraer E175
- Flight details: Flight AS3451 leaves Los Angeles at 10:37 a.m., arriving in Monterrey at 3:41 p.m. The return flight departs Monterrey at 4:31 p.m., arriving back in Los Angeles at 6:07 p.m.
- Competition: Competes with Mexican airlines VivaAerobus and Volaris, but Alaska Airlines offers daily service.
- Who benefits: Business travelers, families, and anyone interested in trade or cultural exchange between the United States 🇺🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽.
Why These Routes Matter
Alaska Airlines’ expansion is not just about adding more flights. It’s about making travel easier and more flexible for people who need to cross borders for work, family, or fun. Here’s why these new routes are important:
- More options: Travelers now have more choices for direct flights, which means less time spent on layovers and connections.
- Better access: Secondary airports like San Jose and Fresno now have direct flights to Mexico, making it easier for people living outside major cities.
- Business growth: Daily flights to Monterrey help companies and workers who need to travel for meetings, trade, or investment.
- Tourism boost: New routes to places like La Paz encourage more visitors, helping local economies in Mexico and Central America.
Alaska Airlines’ Strategy: Aiming for the Top
Alaska Airlines is now the top U.S. airline for flights to Latin America and the Caribbean from Los Angeles. During the winter of 2025, the airline will have nearly 16 daily departures to 15 cities in these regions. This growth is part of a bigger plan that started with Alaska Airlines’ purchase of Hawaiian Airlines in September 2024. The merger gave Alaska Airlines access to bigger planes that can fly longer distances, opening up even more international routes.
The airline’s leaders say this is just the beginning. They want to serve at least 12 nonstop global destinations from Seattle by 2030, using wide-body aircraft that can fly farther and carry more passengers.
Executive Voices: What Leaders Are Saying
Alaska Airlines’ expansion has drawn attention from both airline executives and airport leaders in the United States 🇺🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽.
Krystal Crespo, Director for LATAM at Alaska Airlines:
“With the recent merger with Hawaiian Airlines, we are expanding our route network between Mexico and the US West Coast, strengthening connectivity and offering more travel options to Asia. With greater flexibility, better services and benefits in our mileage program, we aim to be the preferred option for tourism and business in the region.”
Kirsten Amrine, Vice President of Network Planning and Revenue Management:
“We’re excited to provide our guests with easier access to these sought-after destinations where they can experience winter on their own terms.”
Raúl Revuelta Musalem, CEO of the Pacific Airport Group:
“Connecting La Paz with Los Angeles is an important step for internationalizing this airport which has grown passengers significantly over the past three years. We thank Alaska Airlines for offering this flight to one of the most beautiful destinations in Mexico and look forward to welcoming travelers to La Paz and continuing to provide greater ease for foreign tourists to visit this city.”
Ricardo Dueñas, CEO of Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte (OMA):
“We are pleased to announce that Alaska Airlines will begin operations from Monterrey Airport to Los Angeles, expanding its services from our airports along with Mazatlan and Zihuatanejo. Through LAX, this new route will offer access to new destinations on the West Coast, as we continue to increase international connectivity from Monterrey to meet both business and leisure travel demand.”
More New Routes: Beyond Los Angeles
Alaska Airlines’ international growth isn’t limited to Los Angeles. The airline has also started new flights from other U.S. cities to Mexico and Central America:
- Kansas City to Cancun: Started January 25, 2025, with weekly flights until April 5, 2025, using Boeing 737 aircraft.
- St. Louis to Puerto Vallarta: Started January 25, 2025, with weekly flights until April 5, 2025, using Boeing 737 aircraft.
- Fresno to Guadalajara: New service for winter 2024-2025.
- Los Angeles to Kelowna: Expanding options for travelers to Canada 🇨🇦.
- Multiple U.S. cities to Liberia, Costa Rica: More choices for travelers to Central America.
These routes help people living in the Midwest and other regions reach popular destinations in Mexico and Central America without having to connect through larger, busier airports.
How This Affects Travelers and Immigrants
For Tourists
- Easier vacations: Direct flights mean less travel time and more time enjoying the destination.
- More destinations: New routes open up places that were harder to reach before, like La Paz.
For Families
- Visiting loved ones: Many people in the United States 🇺🇸 have family in Mexico 🇲🇽 and Central America. More flights make it easier to visit, especially during holidays or emergencies.
- Lower costs: More competition can lead to better prices.
For Business Travelers
- Trade and investment: Daily flights to business hubs like Monterrey help companies grow and create jobs.
- Faster trips: Nonstop flights save time for busy professionals.
For Immigrants
- Easier travel for green card holders and visa holders: People with legal status in the United States 🇺🇸 can travel more easily to visit family or take care of personal matters in Mexico or Central America.
- More choices for new arrivals: Immigrants coming to the United States 🇺🇸 from Mexico or Central America have more options for where to land and settle.
If you are planning to travel internationally, make sure your documents are in order. U.S. citizens need a valid passport, and non-citizens may need a visa or other travel documents. For official information on travel requirements, visit the U.S. Department of State’s travel page.
Alaska Airlines’ History with Mexico and Central America
Alaska Airlines has a long history of serving Mexico. The airline’s first flight to Mexico was in 1988, from San Francisco to Mazatlán. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Alaska Airlines’ only international flights were to Mexico and Costa Rica. Since then, the airline has expanded to the Bahamas, Belize, Canada 🇨🇦, and Guatemala.
The recent announcement of 18 new international routes for 2025 marks one of the biggest growth periods in Alaska Airlines’ history. This shows the airline’s commitment to connecting people across borders and responding to changing travel needs.
What’s Next for Alaska Airlines?
Alaska Airlines has big plans for the future:
- More international destinations: The airline aims to serve at least 12 nonstop global destinations from Seattle by 2030.
- New airport lounges: Alaska Airlines is building three new lounges at San Diego International Airport, Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. These lounges will offer more comfort and services for travelers.
- Better planes: The merger with Hawaiian Airlines gives Alaska Airlines access to larger planes that can fly longer distances, making it possible to add more international routes.
What Does This Mean for Immigration and Mobility?
The expansion of Alaska Airlines’ routes has several effects on immigration and cross-border movement:
- Easier family reunification: More direct flights mean families separated by borders can visit each other more often.
- Support for legal immigration: People with visas, green cards, or dual citizenship have more travel options, making it easier to maintain ties with both countries.
- Boost for business immigration: Companies can send workers between the United States 🇺🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽 more easily, supporting trade and investment.
- Help for seasonal workers: Many people travel between Mexico and the United States 🇺🇸 for seasonal work. More flights can make this process smoother.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes are part of a larger trend in the airline industry, where carriers are looking for new markets and ways to serve travelers with different needs. Alaska Airlines’ focus on secondary airports and less crowded routes is helping to reshape how people move between the United States 🇺🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽.
Practical Tips for Travelers
If you plan to use Alaska Airlines’ new routes, here are some steps to make your trip easier:
- Check your documents: Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your planned return date.
- Know visa requirements: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for short visits to Mexico, but other travelers may need one. Check with the Mexican government’s official website.
- Arrive early: International flights often require extra time for security and customs.
- Review airline policies: Alaska Airlines has specific rules for baggage, check-in, and travel with children. Visit their official website for details.
- Stay updated: Flight schedules can change. Sign up for alerts from Alaska Airlines or your departure airport.
Conclusion: Alaska Airlines’ Expansion Brings New Opportunities
Alaska Airlines’ expanded routes from Los Angeles and Seattle to Mexico and Central America are changing the way people travel between these regions. With more flights, better service, and a focus on both business and leisure travelers, the airline is making it easier for families, workers, and tourists to cross borders.
These changes also support immigration by giving people more ways to stay connected with loved ones, pursue business opportunities, and experience new cultures. As Alaska Airlines continues to grow, travelers can expect even more choices and better service in the years ahead.
For the latest updates on Alaska Airlines’ routes and travel requirements, always check official sources like the U.S. Department of State and the airline’s own website. This will help you plan your trip with confidence and avoid any surprises along the way.
Learn Today
Nonstop flight → A flight that travels directly between two destinations without layovers or stops in between.
Embraer E175 → A regional jet aircraft used for short to medium-haul flights, seating approximately 76 to 88 passengers.
Secondary airports → Airports that serve smaller markets or cities outside major hubs, often less crowded and more convenient.
Mileage program → A loyalty system where frequent flyers earn points or miles to redeem for rewards and travel benefits.
Wide-body aircraft → Large airplanes with two aisles designed for long-distance international flights, carrying more passengers.
This Article in a Nutshell
Alaska Airlines expands international routes, connecting Los Angeles and Seattle to Mexico and Central America. Starting late 2024, new nonstop flights boost travel efficiency for tourists, families, and businesses. This expansion strengthens cross-border ties and enhances accessibility for immigrants, shaping a growing network for the airline’s future international growth.
— By VisaVerge.com
