Alaska Airlines drops transcons from Dulles amid concerns about DC economy

The Washington Business Journal reports Alaska Airlines will end nonstop service between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and two of its major West Coast destinations—Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO)—as of 19 August, citing a decline in government-related travel and broader economic uncertainty. United, with hubs at both IAD and SFO, flies seven nonstops daily.

Alaska, which will continue its Dulles service to Seattle and San Diego, acknowledged the shifting demand environment in a statement to the San Francisco Business Times, attributing the retrenchment to “a recent decrease in demand … potentially connected to economic uncertainty and a decrease in government-related travel.”

This move halves Alaska’s route offerings at Dulles and follows similar actions by other carriers. United, for instance, recently announced a 4 percent global route reduction, and Avelo Airlines canceled a new Dulles route before launch due to weak demand.

Despite its pullback at Dulles, Alaska remains active in the DC region. It will continue to offer daily nonstops to both LAX and SFO from Reagan National Airport (DCA).