Alaska Airlines’ New Seatte-Kona Service

There’s now nonstop competition between Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA) and Kona (KOA), on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Alaska Airlines launches year-round nonstops today (Monday, November 17). That puts the Sea-Tac-based carrier in competition with Northwest Airlines, which recently merged with Delta Air Lines.

Alaska fields long-range Boeing 737-800s on the overwater route. According to Official Airline Guide (OAG), Northwest employs larger Boeing 757-300s.

Alaska’s westbound Boeing pushes back from the gate at 8:40am, and is scheduled to arrive Kona at 1pm, in plenty of time to catch a late lunch, some time on the beach and maybe a bit of nightlife. The return flight departs Kona at 2pm, and is slated to arrive at Sea-Tac at 9:40pm.

Kona marks Alaska Airlines’ fourth Hawaiian destination.

The move comes at a good time for seat-starved Hawaiian hoteliers. Since the demise of Aloha Airlines and discount airline ATA, the Islands have been battling to attract more airlift to feed Hawaii’s tourist-dependent economy.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler

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