Air France resumes Seattle service, fall fare sales, more airline news

With the continued recovery of leisure travel, the aviation industry continues to improve its route offering while offering attractive fares for avid travelers.

This week’s airline news includes airfares from Alaska, Hawaii and Southwest and Air France’s return to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Read on to find the latest airline news for the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Air France returns to Seattle

Air France will resume air traffic between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Paris-Charles De Gaulle (CDG) on November 8, 2021. Air France will also increase capacity to Los Angeles (LAX) with two additional flights to 17 weekly flights from November 1st.

Three days a week, Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, flights from Seattle are operated on board an Airbus A350-900 with 324 seats. The additions complement flights currently operated by joint venture partner Delta Air Lines.

“The European Union opened its borders to vaccinated Americans earlier this summer, and Air France is thrilled to meet the growing demand from Americans who love to travel,” said Eric Caron, Air France KLM senior vice president and general manager North America. “We believe Seattle is an important gateway because of its booming economy and natural outdoor beauty.”

Alaska Airlines over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

Courtesy of Alaska Airlines

System-wide flash sale in Alaska, other travel destinations in Mexico

Alaska Airlines has announced a 30% discount on system-wide sales through August 18, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Travelers must use the discount code FUTURE on alaskaair.com.

The 30% saving on bus seats applies to travel dates between August 30 and November 17, 2021. With the promo code, you will also receive a 10% discount in first class.

The discounts apply to almost all cities Alaska Airlines flies to, including destinations in Costa Rica, Hawaii, and Mexico.

Alaska Airlines recently announced new non-stop flights between San Francisco (SFO) and three sunny destinations across Mexico for this winter season: Loreto (LTO), Mazatlán (MZT) and Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo (ZIH). Alaska now serves eight destinations across Mexico from the west coast gateways: Cancun, Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo, Loreto, Los Cabos, Manzanillo, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.

Southwest sales on autumn trips

Book by 11:59 PM (Central Standard Time) on August 19th to take advantage of the latest Southwest fare. Valid travel dates range from September to December, with a 21-day advance booking requirement.

Examples of one-way trips are Seattle (SEA) to Phoenix (PHX) for $ 54, Seattle to Los Angeles (LAX) for $ 57, and Seattle to San Francisco (SFO) for $ 58.

Kaneohe Bay in Oahu, Hawaii.

PB57photos / Getty Images / iStockphoto

Hawaiian flash sale

Hawaiian Airlines is offering a flash sale valid on travel dates between September 7th and December 15th, 2021 on flights offered Monday through Thursday. Tickets must be purchased by August 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. (Hawaiian Standard Time).

Sample fares include Seattle (SEA) to Honolulu (HNL) or Seattle to Maui (OGG) for $ 358 round-trip.

Airlines undertake to vaccinate their employees

Frontier, Hawaiian and United Airlines have each announced vaccination requirements for their employees.

“Our reason for needing the vaccine is simple. Our greatest responsibility to our employees is to ensure their safety while working at our airports and on our aircraft,” said Scott Kirby, United Airlines CEO, in a press release. “And the facts say we are all safer when we are all vaccinated.”

Alaska Airlines is considering a similar mandate following final approval of a vaccine by the FDA. Delta currently requires that all new employees be vaccinated.