Horizon Air to Drop Sacramento to Santa Barbara Route

Horizon Airlines reservation system indicates the twice-daily service currently offered between Sacramento and Santa Barbara will terminate on August 22, 2010. Although it shows in the current schedule, tickets are no longer bookable beyond this date. This change is part of a larger package of Horizon cuts impacting other regional airports throughout the west.

Horizon Airlines Picks up San Jose to Los Angeles Route

Parent company Alaska Airlines said in a press release today they will launch new service between San Jose and Los Angeles beginning August 23, 2010. The airline will operate 4 daily flights between the cities, utilizing 74-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop planes. Initial fares start at $61 each way. The airline is apparently hoping to connect Silicon Valley travelers to International flights offered by the airlines' alliance partners in L.A.

Special offer: Earn double MileagePlan miles for flights between San Jose and Los Angeles through November 23rd.

San Jose to Sacramento Just $29 Each Way

Just $29 gets you from San Jose to Sacramento on Horizon Airlines. Sure, you could probably get there faster by driving, but then how many frequent flyer miles would you earn by doing that? =)

The fare is valid 7 days a week through 2010, and comes to about $79 roundtrip after all taxes and fees. Click here to book.

Alaska Airlines Updates Bay Area Service and Offers Double Miles

This week, Alaska Airlines swapped all flights between Portland and the Bay Area to Horizon-operated planes. This includes flights to/from San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Sacramento.
Horizon will be operating regional jets on these routes, which offer premium amenities such as complimentary Starbucks coffee, wine and microbrews. And, for a limited time, earn double Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for all flights between the Bay Area and Portland. Click here for more information and to register for the promo.

Delta 1000 Mile Bonus for Flying Delta and Alaska

From the mailbox this week, Delta Airlines will award 1,000 bonus miles each time you fly Delta and Alaska/Horizon on the same ticket. The promotion highlights the expansion airlines' joint alliance. The offer is valid for travel through February 29, 2009. Click here to register. 

Horizon Begins Sacramento to Santa Barbara Flights Today

Nonstop service between Sacramento and Santa Barbara returns today thanks to Horizon Airlines. The route was recently discontinued by regional airline ExpressJet.

Two daily flights, one in the morning, one in the evening, operated by a 70-seat Bombardier region jet will be available during the week, and one daily flight on weekends. 

Santa Barbara airport (pictured above) is one of my favorite airports to fly through. The charming little airport resting near the mighty Pacific is a preferred alternative to the hustle and bustle of LAX to the south. For example, upstairs at the Overlook Cafe, there is an observation deck to watch the small commercial planes come and go. Downstairs, the inviting back patio, complete with lawn and wooden benches, provides the perfect opportunity for waiting passengers a last minute chance to soak up the warm Southern California Sun.

Horizon Adds Sacramento to Santa Barbara Route

Flights down to wonderful Santa Barbara Airport resume.

Nonstop service between Sacramento and Santa Barbara returns beginning November 9th - thanks to Horizon Airlines. The route was recently discontinued by regional airline ExpressJet.

Two daily flights, one in the morning, one in the evening, operated by a 70-seat Bombardier region jet will be available during the week, and one daily flight on weekends. 14-day advance tickets are available for just $79 each way. Click here for more information.

Santa Barbara airport (pictured above) is one of my favorite airports to fly through. The charming little airport resting near the mighty Pacific is a preferred alternative to the hustle and bustle of LAX to the south. For example, upstairs at the Overlook Cafe, there is an observation deck to watch the small commercial planes come and go. Downstairs, the inviting back patio, complete with lawn and wooden benches, provides the perfect opportunity for waiting passengers a last minute chance to soak up the warm Southern California Sun.

Horizon Airlines To Debut San Jose to Sacramento flights

Horizon Airlines, a subsidiary of the Alaska Air Group announced it will launch once daily service between San Jose, CA and Sacramento beginning August 25th. No other airline currently offers this routing. United Airlines/Skywest comes closest, with several daily flights between Sacramento and its San Francisco hub.

The new Horizon flight will be operated by a 76-seater Q-400 turboprop plane. Tickets can be purchased beginning June 15th.

Alaska Airlines Expands Its 'West Most' Schedule, Competition Underway

Fierce competition is underway between Virgin America and Alaska Airlines. Alaska Air, based in Seattle, is well established with routes throughout the West Coast. Meanwhile, San Francisco based Virgin America recently launched flights to and from Seattle with introductory prices as low as $73 each way. Alaska has responded with a huge "West Most" marketing campaign, designed to remind travelers of the extensive network and frequency of flights offered. 

Between San Francisco and Seattle for example, Alaska offers 10 daily flights, including a recent announcement of adding 2 new departures in July. If you add in Oakland and San Jose airports, Alaska has 24 daily flights up to Seattle. Virgin pales in comparison, operating only 3 daily flights. In fact, Alaska Airlines and sister-airline Horizon offer flights to 16 airports in California alone, whereas Virgin America flies to only 3 airports in the Golden State.

Despite lacking daily flights, Virgin America is more about a wonderful onboard experience. Probably no other domestic airline offers such good onboard amenities and features as Virgin.   But they are the new guy in town competing against Alaska, a familiar face to the Bay Area market. In time, we will see if both can survive in the same market.

Santa Rosa - Las Vegas (non-stop!) begins April 24th

Thanks to added service out of Santa Rosa airport, North Bay flyers will soon have access to non-stop flights into Las Vegas. Beginning April 24th, Horizon airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines, will operate a single daily flight on this route utilizing a 76-seat Q-400 (pictured to the left) turboprop aircraft. Introductory fares are available for as little as $69 each way.

In addition to this point-to-point route, Horizon began flights from Santa Rosa to its Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles hubs or "focus cities" last March. Visit www.horizonair.com for more information.

San Jose - Palm Springs now available - NONstop

Horizon Air will inaugurate new once-daily, nonstop jet service between San Jose and Palm Springs today. The seasonal service will run through April 6, 2008. The only other competition in this market is from United Airlines with twice daily service from SFO.

The new flights will be operated with 70-seat CRJ-700 regional jets and feature Horizon’s special brand of inflight service, including snacks, Starbucks coffee, and wine and microbrews at no extra charge. A quick check of fares showed prices as low as $74.00 each way for advance ticketing.

Horizon and Alaska currently serve Palm Springs with year-round nonstop flights from Sacramento, San Francisco.

Horizon Airlines inaugurates Santa Rosa - Portland, OR service Sunday

By Mike Grasso

A time, not too long ago Santa Rosa airport was a tiny little general aviation airport tucked near the vineyards of the Napa Valley. At times in its history, the airport provided minimal commuter service to San Francisco, but that ceased to exist in 2001. Now 6 years later...in March 2007, the airport business in Santa Rosa has really come alive.

Officially called the Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport, "STS" has become a key city for vacation-goers wanting closer access to the Valley and business travelers connecting elsewhere in the U.S.

In March 07' Horizon Airlines moved in, offering daily non-stop flights to its hub in Los Angeles and Seattle. Now, the airline is adding non-stop service to Portland beginning this Sunday. Horizon, under the parent company Alaska Airlines, offers connecting service throughout North America and is known for their on board complimentary snacks and alcoholic beverages and enhanced seating arrangements.

Additional proposals include bringing in additional carriers some time in the future.

inFLIGHTout hand -selected Monday morning airfares

new:Santa Rosa-Los Angeles $118/rt+ tax Alaska Airlines

(Horizon Air) thru Dec 13

Oakland-Long Beach $78/rt + tax JetBlue through December 14th

San Jose-San Diego $78/rt+ tax American Airlines through Dec 14

Sacramento - Columbus, OH - $180rt + tax Southwest Airlines DING! fare, M/T/Sa Nov 3-19th*

San Francisco - Las Vegas - $88rt +tax Virgin America & Southwest through Schedule period

*Today's DING! fares must be purchased by 1:40pm Pacific time

Horizon Airlines cancels up to 25% of flights Wednesday.

Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines canceled more than 100 flights Wednesday after aircraft manufacturer Bombardier advised airlines to ground some Q400-model turboprops (pictured left).

According to the Associated Press, some cities that had Horizon flights canceled included: Spokane, Bellingham and Pasco, Wash.; Portland and Eugene, Ore.; Boise and Idaho Falls, Idaho; Billings, Bozeman and Kalispell, Mont.; Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, and Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta.

An airline spokesperson said that the aircraft may be out of service for several days while they investigate landing gear problems that occurred on similar model planes in Europe. Alaska Airlines has substituted some of their planes into service temporarily in some effected Horizon markets.

Horizon Air Announces Introductory Fares and Double Miles on New Service from Portland to Sonoma County/Santa Rosa
Horizon Air, part of parent company Alaska Airlines has announced a special introductory fare of $99 each way for the airline's new service between Portland and Sonoma County/Santa Rosa, which starts Oct. 28. Additionally, for a limited time, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can earn Double Miles on the new route. Both offers are valid for travel through Dec. 13, 2007.
The daily nonstop flight departs Santa Rosa at 2:20pm. Visit Horizonair.com for more information.

Horizon Airlines to debut San Jose to Palm Springs route

Horizon Airlines announced the inauguration of San Jose-Palm Springs Jet service beginning November 4th. Two daily departures of the 70-seater CRJ-700 Jet will operate seasonally, and compliment other flights Horizon & Alaska Airlines offer from other Bay Area airports.
Horizon's special brand of inflight service includes snacks, Starbucks coffee, Wine and microbrews at no extra charge.

Schedule: November 4-April 6th 2008
10:50 am departure
1:25pm departure