Alaska Airlines debuts Kraken-themed plane, Sea-Tac Airport adds new cell lot access route, more

Discounted fares for leisure destinations are once again on offer this week with Alaska and Frontier, with several round-trip destinations for less than $100 from Seattle and Spokane airports.

As Seattle celebrates hockey season with new fanfare at the airport, Southwest apologizes for recent delays, and Sea-Tac Airport opens a new access point at its cell lot, increasing the lot's efficiency.

Keep reading to discover the latest airline news for Seattle and beyond.

Alaska Airlines launches fare sale, hockey celebrations

Alaska’s new airfare sale covers fall and winter travel dates between Oct. 26 and March 9, 2022. Book by Oct. 14 for one-way fares starting at $49.

Sample fares include Seattle (SEA) to Fresno (FAT) or San Francisco (SFO) for $49, Seattle to Denver (DEN) for $59, and Seattle to Las Vegas (LAS) for $69.

Alaska is celebrating the return of hockey in Seattle with new Seattle Kraken livery. The Boeing 737-9 MAX plane will fly on routes to Kraken away games in cities serviced by Alaska. The plane is just the beginning of a long-term partnership between Alaska, the Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena.

At the Seattle (SEA) and Everett (PAE) airports, early boarding with Alaska continues all season for hockey fans wearing a Kraken jersey. Plus, Alaska Airlines Visa cardholders now get a 20% discount when using the credit card to purchase tickets to the interactive exhibition HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever at the Pacific Science Center with code ALASKAVISA2122.

Frontier Airlines offers flights from $14

Frontier Airlines has a few hot promotions on offer with one-way fares starting at $14. One million seats are on sale, with some fares requiring membership in their Discount Den travel club.

Sample one-way fares include Seattle (SEA) to Las Vegas (LAS) from $15, Seattle to Dallas (DFW) from $24, and Seattle to Orlando (MCO) from $44.

Sample Spokane (GEG) one-way offers include Las Vegas (LAS) for $25 and Detroit (DTW) for $44.

Southwest Airlines issues statement on recent delays, cancelations

Southwest canceled thousands of flights over the weekend, and delayed hundreds more, noting poor weather conditions and air traffic control issues as the reason. Monday saw even more delays and cancellations at major airports.

The airline said in a statement Monday, “Southwest Airlines extends a tremendous apology to our Customers and Employees for the flight cancellations and delays which occurred over the weekend and on Monday.”  

On Tuesday, the airline predicted a few more interruptions as it resumes service: “As we complete efforts to stabilize our network, Southwest expects a more normal operation on Tuesday with approximately 90 system-wide cancellations out of the airline’s almost 3,300 flights scheduled for the day.”

Customers impacted by cancelations or delays may use self-service options on the airline's app or website.

Sea-Tac Airport offers new access route for cell phone lot

In an effort to improve safety, efficiency and wait times, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has opened a new overpass and south entrance at its cell phone waiting lot. The new entrance eliminates left turns at the exit where vehicles can return to the main terminal.

The new entrance utilizes a previously unused portion of the old Airport Expressway and eliminates traffic crossing onto S. 170th Street, a prior choke point in traffic. This new development should dramatically reduce wait times when exiting the lot, while providing reconfigured parking spaces and efficiency of the lot.

Additional construction will continue on the overall project over the coming months with additional landscaping, sidewalks, bus shelters and traffic signals along Air Cargo Road and S. 170th Street.