Alaska Airlines has unveiled plans to launch a new route to Toronto starting in May, becoming the carrier’s first-ever flights to the city from its home hub in Seattle.
The Oneworld alliance member last served the Canadian gateway in July 1992, U.S. Transportation Department data shows, operating from Los Angeles International Airport. However, Toronto has remained absent from its network ever since.
Daily flights between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) will commence on May 16, operating using Boeing 737-900 aircraft. Toronto will become the sixth city in Canada served by Alaska Airlines in addition to Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Vancouver and Victoria.
“We’re always focused on better connecting the Pacific Northwest with additional nonstops in our network,” says Kirsten Amrine, Alaska Airlines vice president of revenue management and network planning. “There’s a strong desire by our guests for a Seattle-Toronto flight that connects a pair of exciting cities not only for leisure travel, but also links key business centers between the U.S. and Canada.”
The decision to launch the new route comes after Alaska Airlines signed a partnership with Toronto-based Porter Airlines in December. The arrangement consists of an interline agreement and reciprocal loyalty program benefits.
Porter is this month launching new routes from YYZ to two Alaska Airlines hubs—Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO)—through which, via Alaska connections, passengers can access 18 western U.S. markets including Portland, San Diego, Seattle and Phoenix. Flights to LAX started on Jan. 16, with service to SFO beginning on Jan. 25.
The airlines said connections via shared Canadian airports are expected to come online in early 2024, with loyalty benefits also being rolled out this year.
Alaska Airlines will become the second carrier to serve the Seattle-Toronto market nonstop, alongside Air Canda. OAG Schedules Analyser data shows the Star Alliance member currently offers daily YYZ-SEA flights using Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
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