Alaska Airlines plans to add Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport (GUA) to its network in December with service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Also in December, the carrier will launch seasonal service from two U.S. cities to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH) in Mexico.

The LAX-GUA route will launch on Dec. 14 and be operated daily year-round with a Boeing 737 aircraft. 

“As the fifth largest carrier in the U.S., we’re a growing airline that’s expanding to more international destinations,” says Kristen Amrine, Alaska's VP of revenue management and network planning, in a statement. “Guatemala is a dynamic new country for us … Our new service will allow families, friends and businesses to better connect between the [U.S.] West Coast and Central America.”

Guatemala Director General-Civil Aeronautics Francis Argueta adds: “We’re very excited to welcome Alaska Airlines’ inaugural flight to our country this December. Guatemala has a lot to offer with its gastronomy, its nature and the beautiful corners of the Mayan world.”

Alaska notes it will operate from LAX during the 2023/24 northern hemisphere winter to 12 Latin American destinations with 18 daily peak-day flights.   

ZIH, a vacation destination located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, will be served on a seasonal basis from both Chicago O’Hare International Airport and San Diego International Airport, with both routes launching on Dec. 23 and running 1X-weekly though April 6, 2024. 

The carrier will fly the ZIH routes with a 737 aircraft. Alaska already serves ZIH from both LAX and San Francisco International Airport.