Alaska Airlines now selling tickets to Mexico City

Seattle-headquartered Alaska Airlines has begun selling tickets for service that will resume later this year from California's three largest cities to Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX).

The carrier announced May 18 that it has received final approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to resume service to MEX, and that approval from the Mexican government was expected shortly. Accordingly, Alaska unveiled the schedule for two daily flights between MEX and Los Angeles International (LAX), as well as daily flights between MEX and San Diego International (SAN) and MEX and San Francisco International (SAN).

"With our new service to Mexico City, we continue to grow our footprint in California by offering our valued guests nonstop flights to nine popular destinations throughout Mexico, more than any other U.S. carrier from California," John Kirby, Alaska Airlines VP said in a statement announcing the schedule.

Passengers boarding an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 in Sacramento, California
Passengers boarding Alaska 737

The flights could be considered a resumption of service, as Alaska previously served Mexico City from 2005 to 2015.

Daily flights between MEX and LAX, and Mexico City and SFO will begin Aug. 8. A second daily flight to LAX and daily flights to SAN will commence Nov. 6.

Beginning in August, daily non-stops will depart LAX at 8:18 a.m., arriving at MEX at 1:55 p.m. Return flights will leave Mexico City at 5:25 p.m.and arrive in Los Angeles at 7:25 p.m.

Daily flights will leave SFO at 9:55 a.m. and arrive at MEX at 4:20 p.m. Return flights will leave Mexico City at 3:15 p.m. and arrive in the Bay Area at 5:45 p.m.

In November, flights will commence between Mexico City and San Diego with daily flights leaving SAN at 7:05 a.m. and arriving at 12:50 p.m. Flights will depart MEX at 7:25 p.m., and arrive in San Diego at 9:37 p.m.

Also in November, the airline will add a second daily flight serving LAX. Those flights will depart Los Angeles at 12:25 p.m., arriving in Mexico at 6:15 p.m. Flights departing Mexico City will leave at 1:35 p.m., and arrive in L.A. at 3:54 p.m.

Flights will be operated using Boeing (NYSE:BA) 737 and Embraer E175 aircraft.

According to SeatGuru.com, First Class seats aboard the airline’s 737s are 21 inches wide with 36 inches of pitch. Economy seats are generally 17 inches wide with between 31 and 35 inches of pitch, depending on the specific aircraft’s configuration. E175 aircraft have First Class seats that are 21 inches wide with 36 inches of pitch, Premium Economy seats that are 18.25 inches wide with 36 inches of pitch, and standard economy seats that are 18.25 inches wide with 32 inches of pitch.

Onboard, guests will have access to Alaska Beyond Entertainment, which offers free entertainment direct to customers' own devices. Other onboard amenities include a selection of food and beverage inspired by local chefs, custom leather seats with adjustable headrests, and power outlets throughout the cabin, the airline noted.

When service resumes, Mexico City will be the ninth destination in Mexico that Alaska serves from California. Others include Cancun (CUN), Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo (ZIH), Loreto (LTO), Los Cabos (SJD), Manzanillo (ZLO), Mazatlán (MZT), Puerto Vallarta (PVR) and Guadalajara (GDL).

Alaska began flying to Mexico in 1988 and at present operates 96 flights a week, which is more than any other U.S. carrier offering flights from California.

Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).

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Photo by Carl Dombek
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