Why In The World Is Alaska Airlines Flying One-Way From Cleveland To Pittsburgh?

Quick Links 25 years of adding new eastern destinations What’s going on between Seattle, Cleveland & Pittsburgh? The start of Alaska’s transcontinental expansion Alaska Airlines has been a staple on the West Coast for its more than 90-year history. However, in the last two decades, the carrier has been able to expand its route network to several destinations throughout the Midwest, South, and East Coast. Similar to its Hawaii network, the airline spent several years building its operation throughout the continental US, thanks to growing its Boeing 737 fleet.

With Hawaiian Airlines now as its sister airline, the sky seems to be the limit, in terms of its overall footprint and position as a major competitor. The Seattle-based carrier can partially credit its exponential growth to increased demand from consumers over the years. Alaska also increased its workforce following its acquisition of Virgin America.

While the airline initially retained the ex-Virgin Airbus aircraft, all have since been retired. Some are flying with other carriers, while others are in storage. These aircraft – specifically its A321neos – primarily operated cross-country flights from Alaska’s hubs at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

25 years of adding new eastern destinations Since these planes were banished from the fleet, Alaska had no choice but to return to deploying its existing 737-800s, -900E.