Alaska Airlines to Launch 2 California-to-Toronto Routes Next Year

15.12.2023 - 03:43 / travelandleisure.com / Brett Catlin

Alaska Airlines has launched a new partnership with a Canadian airline, soon benefitting passengers across both sides of the border. 

Beginning in January, regional airline Canada's Porter Airlines will team up with Alaska to launch flights from its main hub in Toronto to both Los Angeles and San Francisco, Alaska Airlines announced this week.

West Coast-focused Alaska Airlines maintains hubs in both major Californian airports, making the partnership a strategic move to boost its presence in Canada. Travelers will soon benefit from seamless connections on both airlines with ticketing and baggage handling.

“Porter Airlines opens new opportunities for our guests to travel to Canada in style,” said Brett Catlin, vice president of loyalty, alliances, and sales at Alaska Airlines in a statement. “We’re thrilled to partner with a vibrant and growing airline that offers a refined experience including top-notch inflight service and terrific onboard amenities.” 

Porter’s Los Angeles flight starts first on Jan. 16, while San Francisco service inaugurates on Jan. 25. Both routes will be operated once daily by Porter’s fleet of new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, which features a comfortable 2-2 configuration.

These interline flights can now be booked on Alaska and Porter’s websites. Alaska Mileage Plan members who purchase Porter flights directly through Alaska can “earn at least 100% of the miles flown and 100% elite-qualifying miles,” according to the airline. 

Both airlines intend to expand this partnership throughout 2024 by allowing full mileage earning, no matter where travelers book their flights. Alaska also hinted at more benefits for both Mileage Plan and VIPorter loyalty members as the partnership grows.

The announcement of this partnership comes just over a week after Alaska announced its intent to acquire Hawaiian Airlines, valued at about $1.9 billion. For its part, Porter Airlines marks Alaska’s 30th airline partner. Alaska later joined the Oneworld alliance in 2021 and continues to maintain unique partnerships with airlines such as Fiji Airways and Korean Air, connecting travelers to “more than 1,000 destinations around the world,” according to its website.