PORTLAND, Ore. — Portlanders can get a direct flight in time for Mardi Gras next year, with Alaska Airlines' first nonstop flight to New Orleans beginning in January.
The daily nonstop flights will run through next spring. Each daily flight will take off from the Portland International Airport (PDX) in the morning, giving Portlanders enough time to spend an afternoon in the "Big Easy" and return home in the evening.
“Alaska’s continued investment in PDX is great news for our travel community. Until now, New Orleans was one of the largest U.S. markets without a nonstop from PDX,” said Dan Pippenger, chief aviation officer at the Port of Portland, in a press release. “Tens of thousands of travelers already fly between these two great cities every year, and we expect that number to only grow with this new nonstop service.”
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Both Alaska Airlines and the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport also praised the move, with Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines, saying in part, "As the largest carrier in Portland for more than 20 years, it’s important we continue to expand the nonstop destinations we offer our guests and give them choices when planning their next trip."
New Orleans will be Alaska Airlines' 55th nonstop destination from PDX, according to Alaska Airlines.
Travelers can purchase tickets for the route starting June 19.
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