Alaska Airlines to boost Paine Field capacity by 50% with new San Jose route and larger aircraft
Alaska Airlines is increasing seat capacity at Seattle’s Paine Field by 50% through 2027. The expansion includes a new twice-daily nonstop to San Jose, California, starting April 14, 2027, operated by Horizon Air. The airline will also add a second daily flight to Los Angeles and Portland, using larger Boeing 737s for the Los Angeles route. No physical construction is required for these changes.
Key points
- Alaska Airlines will increase seat capacity at Paine Field (PAE) in Everett, Washington, by 50% starting in fall 2026 and continuing through summer 2027.
- A new nonstop route between Paine Field and San Jose, California, will begin on April 14, 2027, with two daily flights operated by Horizon Air on Embraer E175 aircraft.
- Service to Los Angeles will increase to twice daily, with both flights using larger Boeing 737 aircraft, representing a significant seating increase compared to previous Embraer E175s.
- Portland service will also increase to two daily flights, while additional seats will be added to existing San Diego and San Francisco routes.
- The expansion requires no physical construction at Paine Field and is part of a broader strategy to serve Snohomish County and North Seattle travelers more conveniently.
Background
Paine Field, operated by Propeller Airports, has been expanding its commercial service since Alaska Airlines began operations there in 2019. The airport currently has three gates, with Snohomish County aiming to increase this to 12 gates over the next decade. This latest expansion follows previous efforts to enhance the airport's role as an alternative to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
How outlets are covering it
KOMO News and KIRO 7 News Seattle reported the expansion as a major convenience for local travelers, highlighting quotes from Propeller Airports CEO Brett Smith and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers praising the airport's growing role. The Points Guy provided additional context, noting that Alaska is the only current airline at Paine Field and that the expansion strengthens its competitive position against Delta Air Lines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The Points Guy also detailed specific aircraft changes, such as the shift to Boeing 737s for Los Angeles flights, which KOMO mentioned but did not quantify as a 63% seating increase. Alaska Airlines' official press release emphasized the strategic importance of Paine Field in its Puget Sound network and the demand for convenient West Coast travel options.
Why it matters
This expansion provides residents of Snohomish County and North Seattle with more flight options and reduced travel times compared to using Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It also strengthens Alaska Airlines' dominance in the Puget Sound region and may influence future airport development plans, including the potential addition of more gates and airlines at Paine Field.
What to watch
The new San Jose route is scheduled to begin on April 14, 2027. Additional flights to Los Angeles and Portland will start in spring 2027. The San Diego route will shift to a Boeing 737 on November 1, 2026. Propeller Airports is also exploring the addition of more airlines and physical expansions, including more gates and parking, in the coming years.
- Alaska Airlines expanding service at Paine Field in Everett KOMO
- Alaska Airlines adds flights from PDX to Northwest destination kgw.com
- Alaska strengthens its Seattle-area network with major Paine Field growth news.alaskaair.com
- Alaska adds San Jose, expands LA from Paine Field near Seattle thepointsguy.com
- Alaska Airlines adds flights out of Paine Field in Everett KIRO 7 News Seattle
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