Alaska Airlines Adds Flights To Guatemala City

I had heard that Alaska direct service to Guatemala City was going to begin between Boise, Idaho and Guatemala City with same day arrival after the 1st of January. Can anyone clarify this?

I'm excited for AS to open the LAX-GUA-LAX route! LAX-GUA have always been on the high side price-wise - as compared to other Central American countries when flying from LAX. I travel this route about 5 to 6 times each year - and usually rent an Airbnb in Zone 9 or 10. At least the fee creep hasn't reached the Airbnb condo I rent. As others have mentioned, Guatemala City - just like anywhere, you always have to watch your surroundings. Traffic for the most part throughout Guatemala City sucks. For many years, it was only UAL and LACSA/TACA (Avianca) that flew this route. Spirit offered nonstop service for a short time - then dropped it. Later by DAL who continues the route today. Shortly after CAL and UAL married, UAL dropped the route in favor of connections through IAH - a real dumbo mistake. As I have become older, I'm not a fan of red-eyes unless I do not have a better choice. During COVID times, I was happy that UAL re-introduced nonstop service. I like the outbound flight time at 7:00 p.m. Uncrowded terminal (too early for check-in on the red-eyes), and the Red Carpet Club is basically uncrowded at that hour. UAL's terminal 7 is actually pretty quiet between 6 and 7 p.m. DAL'S flight is always a cattle car - all squished in with a 199 seat capacity 757-232 or old NWA 757-251. Thank goodness for first - but still not much legroom. The DAL red-eye more often than not departs due to issues at the gate. late equipment, problems with the plane, etc. I have flown Volaris once - simply because of their later departure time from GUA in the evening (7:00 p.m.), but my oh my - talk about flying with the chickens - you certainly do that on this 5 hour flight in a stuffed A319. The only solace was snagging an extra cost emergency exit row for additional leg room. As many know, Volaris charges for everything - including water. The same owner of Frontier and Wizz Air, Bill Franke also owns Volaris - so now you know what you're getting - stuffed A319's and A321's! Good thing I had a bite before departing GUA. Volaris ahs recently added a second daily non-stop on the route with an A321. Going back to AS flying this route - I'm guarded. It is a big VFR route and a small business travel route. For reference, look at upcoming flights for either the UAL/DAL flights on any day and drill down to the seat maps and review how many elite seats in coach are available for assignment right up to departure. It's many. On UAL, I'm able to purchase first at a reasonable cost. Going back to AS, their challenge is selling and marketing the route on the return from GUA. Locals will be 'confused" as to why they would want to travel to Alaska when seeing the "Alaska" brand name. If Alaska has the patience, the load factor/fare level may improve to a very profitable level. What hasn't been mentioned, either by Lucky or those posting replies is that the later return time is probably for connections to other Alaska flights, possible code-share flights with American, and connections with other Oneworld carriers at LAX - primarily to Asia. How many seats per day will that be? - probably in the single digits. However, it shows that Oneworld is willing to commit to this route and butt heads against Skyteam and Star Alliance. It gives Oneworld an alternative on the west coast in addition to DFW and MIA. I will use the AS flight on the return because of the late morning departure time - and avoid the early morning crush of passengers and flights leaving GUA - Avianca, DAL, Volaris etc. and other routes in addition to LAX. SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT

People who write for passengers sometimes ignore the importance of freight, especially to and from our Banana Republic colonies to the south. The plane is on the ground that long because it takes time to unload and load the goods that bring the constant revenue. This flight is probably profitable even when only half full of passengers. Fortunately, because there might be 280,000 Guatemalans living in the LA area, but how many of them have a visa that would allow them to come back if they went home for a visit?

Before leaving, read the State Department advisory. " Violent crime such as extortion, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, narcotics trafficking and gang activity are common in Guatemala. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to criminal incidents resulting in a low arrest and conviction rate."

I hope Alaska airlines have better prices and comfort than another s airlines competitor I fly to Guatemala city for Christmas I hope Alaska airlines give me at good deal