From Seattle to sunshine: Alaska Airlines takes off for Tampa

SEATTLE, June 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines launched daily round-trip service today between Seattle and Tampa, Florida.

Known for white sand and sunshine on Florida's Gulf Coast, the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area offers activities and attractions, indoors and out, for people of all ages.

"We're excited to offer Seattle residents a nonstop trip to the beach," said Joe Sprague, senior vice president of communications and external relations. "The Tampa Bay Area is the perfect place for people who love to explore – whether they want to play along the shore or seek urban adventure in vibrant neighborhoods. Of course, simply relaxing on a warm beach this weekend sounds pretty nice, too."

Alaska Airlines is the only carrier offering nonstop service between Seattle and Tampa, which will save hours of travel time and get people to their destination faster. Flights will operate daily, year-round.

The Seattle-Tampa flights also will connect customers with cruise ships in opposite corners of the country: Pacific Northwest residents headed to Caribbean cruises out of Tampa, and Southern residents destined for Alaska cruises out of Seattle.

Summary of new service:

The Tampa service contributes to a plan to increase Alaska Airlines departures out of Seattle 11 percent by next spring. Alaska's daily flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will increase from 253 to 280, giving travelers more options to the places they want to fly most.

Previously announced new service starting this year from Seattle will go to Baltimore, Maryland; Detroit, Michigan; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Cancun, Mexico. A flight between Seattle and New Orleans started June 12.

Summary of other new daily Seattle service:

• Seattle – New Orleans: started June 12
• Seattle – Tampa: started June 20
• Seattle – Baltimore: starting Sept. 2
• Seattle – Detroit: starting Sept. 4
• Seattle – Albuquerque: starting Sept. 18
• Seattle – Cancun: starting Nov. 6

To book and for complete fare rules, visit www.alaskaair.com or call 1-800-ALASKAAIR (800-252-7522 or Hearing & Speech Impaired (TTY): Dial 711 for Relay Services).

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves more than 100 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines has ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates North America Airline Satisfaction Study^SM for seven consecutive years from 2008 to 2014. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines