New non-stop daily flight to Reagan National will begin by Sept. 8

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines will offer a daily nonstop flight between Portland, Ore., and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport by Sept. 8, following U.S. Department of Transportation approval today of the carrier’s application to fly the new route.

“Providing residents of the greater Portland area with convenient nonstop service to the closest airport to our nation’s capital has been a priority for us for a long time and we’re delighted this day has come,” said Brad Tilden, Alaska Air Group’s chief executive officer elect. “We thank the DOT for their vote of confidence in Alaska Airlines.”

Tilden also credits the grassroots efforts of some 13,000 people who submitted letters to the Department of Transportation in support of the carrier’s application.

Tickets for the new service will go on sale at Alaska Airlines' website after Alaska Airlines coordinates with the Federal Aviation Administration to determine the scheduled flight times.

No other carrier currently provides nonstop service to Reagan National from Portland International Airport. Alaska Airlines’ flights to National will significantly improve connecting service for passengers traveling from Eugene, Medford and Redmond/Bend, Ore. With more than three decades of service to the Rose City, Alaska and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, operate more than 640 flights a week from their Portland hub—more than any other carrier.

Alaska Airlines currently operates three daily nonstop flights to Reagan National: two from Seattle and one from Los Angeles.
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