Alaska Airlines has set a new milestone with the launch of a nonstop service connecting Tucson International Airport (TUS) and John Wayne Airport (SNA), located in Orange County, Southern California. A significant move, this expansion further bolsters Alaska’s growing footprint in the Orange County (SNA) region, adding Tucson (TUS) to its current roster of five destinations.
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The new service is a boon for Southern Arizonans looking for an efficient connection to Southern California’s major attractions. Simultaneously, it also presents a convenient alternative for Southern Californians, the primary visitor segment for Tucson, to avoid the lengthy drive.
“This new route not only connects passengers to major attractions in Los Angeles but also provides Southern Californians with a more convenient way to reach Tucson“, said Danette Bewley, president and CEO of the Tucson Airport Authority.
Orange County’s Proximity to Major Attractions
For those traveling from Southern Arizona, John Wayne Airport (SNA) serves as the closest gateway to major Orange County attractions like Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park, Knott’s Berry Farm, and numerous Southern California beaches. The vicinity also boasts an array of shopping, dining, and live entertainment options.
“Our mission is to continuously explore new routes for our passengers, and we see immense potential with this nonstop service between sunny Orange County and sunny Tucson“, shared Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines.
Details of the New Alaska Airlines’ Route
The Orange County – Tucson Flight AS 3370 will operate daily from SNA at 11:40, arriving in TUS at 14:20. The return flight, Tucson – Orange County Flight AS 3370, departs TUS at 15:05 and reaches SNA at 15:39.
- The service will be available from December 14, 2023, through April 17, 2024.
- SkyWest Airlines will operate flights on an Embraer 175 aircraft, offering a 76-seat capacity across three classes (12 First Class/12 Premium Class/52 Economy).
- Promotional fares start at US$99 each way.
Tucson Airport Authority’s 2023 Statistics
Data from the Tucson Airport Authority indicates that during the first half of 2023, the airport mobilized 1,918,947 passengers, marking a 13.44% increase compared to the same period in 2022. This growth is mirrored in the 16.27% rise in air operations, totaling 80,959 in the first half of 2023.
