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-Editorial
Alaska Airlines officially launched its new nonstop service between San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on March 17, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s commitment to connecting key West Coast hubs with the nation’s capital. This new route made Alaska Airlines the only airline to offer direct flights between these two cities, enhancing travel options for both business and leisure passengers.
The inaugural flight from San Diego to Washington, D.C., departed at 2:10 p.m. and arrived in the capital at 9:55 p.m. The return flights from DCA to SAN began the following day, March 18, with the plane leaving Washington, D.C., at 8:00 a.m. and landing in San Diego at 10:35 a.m. The new service offers daily, year-round flights, designed to provide a seamless connection for passengers traveling between the two cities. The flight schedule was strategically designed to accommodate both morning and evening travel, making it convenient for travelers flying to and from San Diego and Washington, D.C.
Alaska Airlines has been a staple in San Diego for nearly four decades, providing exceptional service and connecting the city to numerous destinations across the country. Over the years, Alaska Airlines had already established flights to Washington, D.C., offering connections to the nation’s capital from cities like Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. However, the new nonstop service marked a significant expansion, as it became the only airline to offer direct flights between San Diego and DCA, a route that had previously been unavailable.
The U.S. Department of Transportation had approved Alaska Airlines’ application for the new route as part of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024. The approval allowed Alaska Airlines to provide roundtrip service between San Diego and DCA, a route that had long been anticipated by passengers in both regions. San Diego, which had the distinction of being the largest market without direct service to DCA, was finally able to benefit from nonstop connectivity to Washington, D.C.
The decision to launch the new service was a significant win for San Diego, a city with a large military community and growing defense, biotech, and technology sectors. These industries rely on efficient access to Washington, D.C., where many of their key stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, and corporate leaders, are based. With this new nonstop flight, passengers from San Diego no longer had to deal with layovers or connecting flights to reach the nation’s capital, making travel faster and more convenient.
In addition to benefiting business travelers, the new route was also welcomed by leisure passengers, particularly those seeking to explore the rich history and culture of Washington, D.C. With a direct connection between the two cities, tourists and families could now plan vacations to the capital with ease, taking advantage of the new, affordable, and convenient flight options provided by Alaska Airlines.
Alaska Airlines CEO, Ben Minicucci, expressed gratitude to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration for approving the application and allowing the airline to offer this important new route. He emphasized the role the new service would play in enhancing the connectivity between San Diego and Washington, D.C., and highlighted the airline’s long-standing commitment to providing exceptional service to San Diego’s residents and businesses.
“The launch of this nonstop flight service is a momentous occasion for our company and for the people of San Diego,” Minicucci said in a statement. “We’re proud to be the only airline offering direct flights from San Diego to D.C., and we’re excited to continue providing our guests with the comfort, convenience, and service they’ve come to expect from Alaska Airlines.”
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also expressed his excitement about the new service, emphasizing the positive impact it would have on the city’s defense, research, and innovation economies. Mayor Gloria credited the collaboration between Alaska Airlines, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, and local congressional leaders for making the new route a reality. He also thanked U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker for their roles in selecting San Diego as one of the five new DCA flight slot recipients.
“Today is a great day for the San Diego region with the announcement of a new, nonstop flight to Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport,” said Mayor Gloria. “This flight will further connect our growing defense, research, and innovation economies to our leaders in the Capitol.”
Kimberly J. Becker, President and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, also praised the new service, noting the importance of improving connectivity between San Diego and Washington, D.C. “San Diego has been the largest origin-destination market without service to Reagan National Airport,” Becker said. “This new nonstop route will greatly enhance the connectivity between these two strategic regions for business and leisure passengers alike.”
As the airline with the most nonstop destinations from San Diego, Alaska Airlines has long been a leader in connecting the city to key domestic and international locations. With the addition of the DCA route, Alaska Airlines now offers nonstop flights to 40 destinations from San Diego and more than 70 peak-day departures. The airline has consistently prioritized customer satisfaction, providing passengers with a blend of comfort, convenience, and caring service that distinguishes it from other carriers.
Alaska Airlines’ elevated travel experience includes numerous amenities, such as no change fees, extra legroom in First Class and Premium Class, satellite Wi-Fi, and complimentary snacks and meals. In addition to the new nonstop service, Alaska Airlines also expanded its Lounge program, offering passengers access to exclusive lounges in San Francisco, San Diego, and other locations, with plans to further expand this program in the coming years.
The new nonstop service between San Diego and Washington, D.C. marked an important chapter in Alaska Airlines’ history and its ongoing efforts to provide passengers with direct, efficient, and comfortable travel options. With the added convenience of daily year-round flights, the airline aims to further strengthen its position as the carrier of choice for travelers in San Diego and beyond.
Tickets for the new route were made available for purchase on Alaska Airlines’ website, allowing customers to easily book their flights and enjoy seamless travel between two of the most important cities in the United States.