How Alaska Airlines' 76-Seat Regional Jets Are Quietly Outflanking Southwest In San Diego

Alaska Airlines is currently gaining market share in San Diego by utilizing its 76-seat regional jets, while Southwest continues to operate larger Boeing 737 aircraft at the same airports. Data indicates that Alaska’s smaller planes are experiencing lower turnaround times compared to Southwest’s models, contributing significantly to increased flight frequency. This operational efficiency allows Alaska to offer more flights per day from San Diego International Airport (SDIA) than their competitor. Specifically, Alaska operates approximately 20 daily departures from SDIA using these regional jets, a number exceeding Southwest's offerings. The shift highlights a strategic response by Alaska Airlines to capitalize on demand within the Southern California market.