Exciting News for BC'ers who fly out of US

[aristocat65]

Looks like Bellingham airport is going to get busier. They are also apparently fastracking their 8 year expansion plan to 3 years. Now we can only hope for non-stop BLI-MCO

First-ever scheduled flights to Hawaii from Bellingham International Airport will provide convenient option for travelers in Northwestern Washington and Lower Mainland, B.C.

SEATTLE, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Airlines will inaugurate nonstop service between Bellingham, Wash., and Honolulu, Hawaii, starting Jan. 7, 2011. The daily flights will provide a convenient alternative airport for travelers in Northwestern Washington and Lower Mainland, British Columbia.

"Alaska Airlines is proud to call the Pacific Northwest home. So we're delighted to offer Bellingham its first-ever nonstop scheduled service to Hawaii," said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing. "Our new Honolulu flights will allow travelers from north of Seattle and the Lower Mainland to take advantage of our low fares, award-winning service and Mileage Plan earning opportunities via an easy-to-access, nearby airport."

Alaska Airlines currently flies between Bellingham and Las Vegas while its sister carrier, Horizon Air, offers Bellingham-Seattle service. Alaska and Horizon customers receive a variety of amenities at no extra charge, including online reservations, advance seat selection, and complimentary inflight water, soft drinks, coffee, tea and snacks.

Summary of new service:

Start Date


City Pair


Departs


Arrives


Frequency


Jan. 7, 2011


Bellingham-Honolulu


5:20 p.m.


9:40 p.m.


Daily


Jan. 7, 2011


Honolulu-Bellingham


10:25 p.m.


6:05 a.m.


Daily




All times are based on local time zones.

Low fares on the new Hawaii flights will be available for booking starting Aug. 5 at alaskaair.com or by calling 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522 or TTY/TDD line 1-800-392-0228).

The flights will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin. Inflight service includes meals for purchase in the main cabin, complimentary meal service in first class and Alaska Airlines' digEplayer, a personal entertainment system offering a variety of movies, television shows, music and other features.

Alaska Airlines Vacations offers a full line of vacation packages for travel to Hawaii. Packages include air transportation, hotel accommodations, ground transportation and tours. For more information about Alaska Airlines Vacations, visit alaskaair.com/vacations.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008, 2009 and 2010 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

 

[c&m]

This is good news. Though we have never really minded driving to SEATAC, we always cringe when we have to pass thru downtown Seattle with all the traffic. So far, we have always been lucky and have always never had a problem. Going thru Bellingham would be so much faster and easier.

Heard that the fares from Bellingham to Honolulu will be $149 each way, valid from January to beginning of March. Unfortunately, we can't take advantage of it, since we're slaves to school vacations. I'm actually waiting for the Bellingham-Maui route. Crossing my fingers that it'll happen...

 

[aristocat65]

This is good news. Though we have never really minded driving to SEATAC, we always cringe when we have to pass thru downtown Seattle with all the traffic. So far, we have always been lucky and have always never had a problem. Going thru Bellingham would be so much faster and easier.

Heard that the fares from Bellingham to Honolulu will be $149 each way, valid from January to beginning of March. Unfortunately, we can't take advantage of it, since we're slaves to school vacations. I'm actually waiting for the Bellingham-Maui route. Crossing my fingers that it'll happen...

I noticed also that the $149 fare ends before spring break It jumps to $249 each way during spring break. I agree Maui would be a better option, but this is a start right? Maybe we'll see Orlando and Orange county in the future too

 

[TagsMissy]

I noticed also that the $149 fare ends before spring break It jumps to $249 each way during spring break. I agree Maui would be a better option, but this is a start right? Maybe we'll see Orlando and Orange county in the future too

while I don't know how much of a draw a non-stop from Orlando is from BLI ... I would love to see it at a reasonable price

 

[aristocat65]

while I don't know how much of a draw a non-stop from Orlando is from BLI ..

Not much of a draw, you're right. I can dream though

 

[TagsMissy]

Not much of a draw, you're right. I can dream though

You can

I wish WJ did seasonal direct from YVR like they do from YYC... wait no.. I wish they did year round direct

I would pay a bit more simply to fly from home; sometimes it isn't always cheaper if it's just 2 of us out of Seattle. Once we factor in hotel/parking, gas, time, food and of course shopping at the outlet we don't always come out on top.

One time, shocking I know, but we had a seat sale and the flight was CHEAPER form YVR than SEA. I was floored! I have only ever seen that 1 time though and it was fairly last minute.

 

[c&m]

I would pay a bit more simply to fly from home; sometimes it isn't always cheaper if it's just 2 of us out of Seattle. Once we factor in hotel/parking, gas, time, food and of course shopping at the outlet we don't always come out on top.

You're right...if it's just the 2 of you, you don't really have to worry about paying just a little more flying out of YVR. (LOL, I can't resist those outlets or Target either It's like a disease.)

For our family of 4, those airfares add up! Sometimes, it's a matter of spending an extra $200 to do the Seattle flights in order to save an extra $1000-$2000 in airfares from YVR.

Last year in August, our flight from YVR-MCO would've cost us $3000 roundtrip for 4 of us. Instead, we flew SEA-MCO for $650 roundtrip for 4 of us. That was definitely a no-brainer for us and with the difference, it didn't matter how much we spent having to eat/park/stay in Seattle.

 

[ado121]

Last year in August, our flight from YVR-MCO would've cost us $3000 roundtrip for 4 of us. Instead, we flew SEA-MCO for $650 roundtrip for 4 of us. That was definitely a no-brainer for us and with the difference, it didn't matter how much we spent having to eat/park/stay in Seattle.

wow! $650 roundtrip for 4. thats amazing! what airline?

we are going to disneyland in december 2010. it was $1100 for 5 from bli to sna. and now i have my eye open for december 2011 to mco.

 

[TagsMissy]

You're right...if it's just the 2 of you, you don't really have to worry about paying just a little more flying out of YVR. (LOL, I can't resist those outlets or Target either It's like a disease.)

For our family of 4, those airfares add up! Sometimes, it's a matter of spending an extra $200 to do the Seattle flights in order to save an extra $1000-$2000 in airfares from YVR.

Last year in August, our flight from YVR-MCO would've cost us $3000 roundtrip for 4 of us. Instead, we flew SEA-MCO for $650 roundtrip for 4 of us. That was definitely a no-brainer for us and with the difference, it didn't matter how much we spent having to eat/park/stay in Seattle.

Yes I agree-- when we went as a group of 7 people there was no question we'd fly out of Seattle; when it's just us 2 we really need to do the math.

 

[c&m]

wow! $650 roundtrip for 4. thats amazing! what airline?

we are going to disneyland in december 2010. it was $1100 for 5 from bli to sna. and now i have my eye open for december 2011 to mco.

Alaska Air. But I got it during a sale last year. And with the bad economy last year, there were many travel sales to give those who were willing to spend the money the incentive to go. To add to the deal, we went for free dining and stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. And to sweeten it somemore, we went during a low attendance time end of August, when the local kids and other U.S. kids were back in school. We basically just walked onto the rides with no waits.

We're going to do WDW again in Aug. 2011. In fact, we actually are going to choose WDW from now on. Our kids seem to enjoy it more and we don't get the line-ups we always encounter at DL. We'd only go to DL if we happened to be in SoCal and happened to pass by - like next week .

BTW, have you tried flying into LGB? Oftentimes, it's less expensive to fly into that airport than SNA. LGB is 20 min. from Anaheim. It's also a smaller airport. The bag carousel is feet away from where you get off the plane, and then the car rental is feet away from the bag carousel. So easy.

Also, $1100 is good for Dec. Which airline do you go with? If it's Alaska, always check back on your fares. If the price goes down, call them and see if you can get a price adjustment. The difference goes on a credit/discount code that you can use the next time you fly with them (usually expires in a year). I've done that before.

Next week, we're heading to SoCal for a last-minute, impromptu trip to visit friends. Ended up being $900 for the 4 of us flying from YVR-LAX. Happened on a fare sale on WestJet (going only) and a fare sale on Alaska Air (coming back). Fares were the same flying out of YVR as for SEA (go figure).

 

[ado121]

Alaska Air. But I got it during a sale last year. And with the bad economy last year, there were many travel sales to give those who were willing to spend the money the incentive to go. To add to the deal, we went for free dining and stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. And to sweeten it somemore, we went during a low attendance time end of August, when the local kids and other U.S. kids were back in school. We basically just walked onto the rides with no waits.

We're going to do WDW again in Aug. 2011. In fact, we actually are going to choose WDW from now on. Our kids seem to enjoy it more and we don't get the line-ups we always encounter at DL. We'd only go to DL if we happened to be in SoCal and happened to pass by - like next week .

BTW, have you tried flying into LGB? Oftentimes, it's less expensive to fly into that airport than SNA. LGB is 20 min. from Anaheim. It's also a smaller airport. The bag carousel is feet away from where you get off the plane, and then the car rental is feet away from the bag carousel. So easy.

Also, $1100 is good for Dec. Which airline do you go with? If it's Alaska, always check back on your fares. If the price goes down, call them and see if you can get a price adjustment. The difference goes on a credit/discount code that you can use the next time you fly with them (usually expires in a year). I've done that before.

Next week, we're heading to SoCal for a last-minute, impromptu trip to visit friends. Ended up being $900 for the 4 of us flying from YVR-LAX. Happened on a fare sale on WestJet (going only) and a fare sale on Alaska Air (coming back). Fares were the same flying out of YVR as for SEA (go figure).

how far in advance of your flights do you find these seat sales?

 

[squirrel]

It will be great to have more options. SEA is a bit farther but if the prices are similar then I'd book it.

This is the first time I'm flying direct to MCO. I booked with Delta as it was a bit cheaper than Alaska even with the baggage fees.

 

[c&m]

how far in advance of your flights do you find these seat sales?

I usually book 3 months out. Once I know we're going, I start to stalk the Alaska Air web site on a daily basis. I watch the fares go up/down. When I see it going to the lowest possible fare, I seize the opportunity. If (and very rarely) it does go down even more, I call up Alaska Air and get a price adjustment that comes in the form of a discount code that I can apply for my next trip.

For example, last year, I booked in early January for our March spring trip to Disneyland with extended family. I stalked the Alaska website daily, plugging in variations of SEA-LAX, SEA-LGB, SEA-SNA, watching it go from $89 to $69 to $69 each way for SEA-LGB. SEA-LAX was $69 each way, and SEA-SNA was the most expensive at $99 each way. We chose SEA-LGB, and it turned out to be the best airport for convenience and proximity to Anaheim. However, a week after I booked, the price went down even more to $59 each way for our flights. So I called Alaska and they gave me a discount code for the price adjustment. Nice. Which is why I do business with them all the time.

For WestJet seat sales, I usually happen on it by chance. I rarely ever check because I'm basically set on flying our family of 4 through Seattle or Bellingham.

 

[Sue M]

I'm flying Alaska in under 2 weeks, booked before Bellingham flights opened up. But we are flying direct into Kona, so don't have to change in Honolulu. Hope they expand service to other Islands out of Bellingham, and to Florida
Even for the 2 of us and factoring in Seattle hotels, it's cheaper to fly Sea. I get great rates for Marriott hotels with the Entertainment book. 50% off, and also park free. With fares out of YVR in the $600's on a good day, and $250 - $300 RT out of Seatac it's a savings. Not to mention I get to stop at the outlets I think to break even out of YVR, I'd have to find $400 RT (incl tax) which I haven't been able to do.

 

[Lalaboops]

I'm flying Alaska in under 2 weeks, booked before Bellingham flights opened up. But we are flying direct into Kona, so don't have to change in Honolulu. Hope they expand service to other Islands out of Bellingham, and to Florida
Even for the 2 of us and factoring in Seattle hotels, it's cheaper to fly Sea. I get great rates for Marriott hotels with the Entertainment book. 50% off, and also park free. With fares out of YVR in the $600's on a good day, and $250 - $300 RT out of Seatac it's a savings. Not to mention I get to stop at the outlets I think to break even out of YVR, I'd have to find $400 RT (incl tax) which I haven't been able to do.

I'm flying out of SEA at the end of September. I agree, YVR cannot compete with the prices I'm getting for direct flights from SEA.

Can I please ask which Marriott you are able to book, using your Entertainment book? I'm very much interested in finding something that includes parking.

Thanks!
Angela

 

[aristocat65]

http://www.yesterland.com/disneykoolina11.html

Hmm, maybe I want to go to Oahu afterall

 

[Sue M]

I'm flying out of SEA at the end of September. I agree, YVR cannot compete with the prices I'm getting for direct flights from SEA.

Can I please ask which Marriott you are able to book, using your Entertainment book? I'm very much interested in finding something that includes parking.

Thanks!
Angela

Either the Marriott Towne Place Suites in Kent, or Springhill Suites in Renton.
Love those locations, they are maybe 10 or 15 min from airport, and near South Center Mall (now called Westfield Mall). 2 of my fav restaurants are in that mall- Cheesecake Factory and Bahama Breeze

I prefer(location) The Towne Place in Kent, but there is usually just 2 or 3 of us. If you have more people, like 4, you would need Springhill in Renton, they have a bedroom with 1 king or 2 queens, and a pull out in the living room.
Towne Place has either 1 king or 1 queen, and a sofa pull out.
Both have breakfast, and airport shuttle. They are both clean, and comfortable.
(note: There is a Towne Place Suites in Renton too, next to Springhill, but the one in Kent is nicer)

 

[Lalaboops]

Either the Marriott Towne Place Suites in Kent, or Springhill Suites in Renton.
Love those locations, they are maybe 10 or 15 min from airport, and near South Center Mall (now called Westfield Mall). 2 of my fav restaurants are in that mall- Cheesecake Factory and Bahama Breeze

I prefer(location) The Towne Place in Kent, but there is usually just 2 or 3 of us. If you have more people, like 4, you would need Springhill in Renton, they have a bedroom with 1 king or 2 queens, and a pull out in the living room.
Towne Place has either 1 king or 1 queen, and a sofa pull out.
Both have breakfast, and airport shuttle. They are both clean, and comfortable.
(note: There is a Towne Place Suites in Renton too, next to Springhill, but the one in Kent is nicer)

Thank you so much for this information. I will check out the pricing for my upcoming trip.