Alaska Airlines is set to end its operations at Dallas Love Field on May 14, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the airline. The Seattle-based carrier currently operates five weekly flights between Dallas Love Field (DAL) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). This route will be discontinued alongside the closure of Alaska’s outstation at DAL.
The airline plans to consolidate its operations in the Dallas area at the larger Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which is about 15 miles from DAL. DFW serves as a major hub for American Airlines, a close Oneworld alliance partner of Alaska Airlines. From this location, American Airlines offers nearly 1,000 daily flights to almost 250 destinations.
“Moving forward, we will consolidate our operations at Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW),” Alaska stated. “DFW is centrally located with easy access to all points across the Dallas Metroplex and allows our guests to connect beyond Dallas to cities in the Midwest and along the East Coast with our codeshare partner American Airlines.”
Alaska inherited its presence at Dallas Love Field through its acquisition of Virgin America in April 2016. Virgin America began service from DAL in October 2014 with routes to Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., later adding Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport.
Since acquiring Virgin America, Alaska has adjusted its services at Love Field. Recently, it served San Francisco and Seattle from this airport but ended the Bay Area flight last April.
Now focusing on DFW, Alaska operates flights to Portland International Airport and SEA from there. More routes could potentially be added following the cessation of service at Love Field.
At present, Southwest Airlines dominates operations at DAL with control over 18 of the airport’s 20 gates. The remaining two gates are shared by Alaska and Delta Air Lines.
