Alaska increases flights to Sun Valley

Ski and sun enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest will soon have greater access to some of the region’s best slopes when Seattle-headquartered Alaska Airlines adds more flights to Sun Valley, Idaho.

Starting Dec. 17, the airline will add two weekly flights from Portland International Airport (PDX) to Freedman Memorial Airport (SUN) in Sun Valley. Flights will depart PDX at 9:40 a.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, arriving in Sun Valley at 12:12 p.m. Return flights will leave at 12:47 p.m. and arrive at PDX at 1:41 p.m.

Alaska Airlines Q400 turboprop operated by Horizon Air
Q400 Turboprop
“With our well-timed mid-morning flight, customers can enjoy a locally sourced breakfast at the [Portland] airport in the morning, and be on the lift by the afternoon,” John Kirby, Alaska’s vice president of capacity planning, said.

The seasonal flights will run through April 1, 2017, then again from June 14 through Sept. 16.

Alaska will also increase the number of flights between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and SUN for the 2016 holidays and the 2017 winter ski season.

The airline will launch its regular seasonal flying earlier than usual this year with flights beginning just before the Thanksgiving holiday, on Wednesday, Nov. 23. The carrier will also operate twice-daily flights from Dec. 16, 2016 through Jan. 2, 2017 and two flights each Saturday and Sunday from Feb. 18 through March 26, 2017.

The flights will be operated by Alaska’s sister carrier Horizon Air, using a 76-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft. According to SeatGuru.com, each of the turboprop planes has 78 standard seats that are 17 inches wide with 31 inches of pitch, the distance from the back of one seat to the back of the seat in front.

Passengers on flights operated by Horizon are offered free soft drinks and Starbucks coffee, à la cart plane-side baggage service, as well as complimentary Northwest wine and microbrews for passengers of legal drinking age.

Horizon has served Sun Valley since 1982, and also operates flights between Sun Valley and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the airline said in its statement announcing the new and expanded service.

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Photo provided by Alaska Air Group
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