Alaska Airlines plans to launch seasonal service from Fresno to Guadalajara Mexico this winner. Photo via FAT

Fresno Yosemite International Airport will soon have its first U.S.-based airline to offer direct flights to Mexico. Alaska Airlines announced its introduction of seasonal non-stop service from Fresno to Guadalajara, Mexico, beginning this winter.

Starting on Dec. 3, the airline will offer daily service from FAT to the Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) through Feb. 12, 2025.

The new service to GDL complements the existing Mexican carriers, Volaris and AeroMexico, that currently offer daily, non-seasonal service. It builds capacity during the busy holiday travel season.

“Alaska Airlines’ addition of seasonal service to Guadalajara is great news for Fresno, and more proof that Fresno Yosemite International Airport is one of the nation’s up-and-coming airports,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer. “There were 238,679 air trips between the two cities last year, making it clear that Fresno and Guadalajara share a special connection, and I’m excited that Alaska Airlines will be the first domestic carrier to offer international service from FAT.

In 2022, the City of Fresno and Guadalajara officially became Sister Cities. Guadalajara is one of the largest metropolitan cities in Mexico and is the state capital of Jalisco.

Alaska Airlines is the first domestic carrier operating at FAT to offer international air service.

Alaska Airlines currently offers seasonal flights from Fresno to Seattle, Portland,and San Diego.

“Fresno Yosemite International Airport welcomes the extra capacity to Guadalajara and the more airline options to Mexico with Alaska Airlines,” said Director of Aviation Henry Thompson. “The winter holiday season is the busiest period for travel to Guadalajara and the added capacity will expand this popular international air gateway between California’s Central Valley and Mexico.”

Guadalajara hosts several cultural events throughout the year, including the International Mariachi Festival, and is known for its architecture, murals, folk art, medical schools and medical tourism.

Daily flights from FAT to GDL will depart at 7 a.m. and arrive at 12:40 pm.

Daily flights from GDL to FAT depart at 8:52 pm and arrive at 10:56 pm.

The flights are part of a major expansion announced by Alaska Airlines of so-called “sun and ski” routes for the winter.

“We’re thrilled to offer convenient connection for guests across our network with this expansion—whether checking destinations off their bucket lists or setting off to their favorite winter getaways, we’ve put together an exciting range of options from tropical destinations across Mexico to the most popular ski slopes in North America,” said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of network planning and revenue management at Alaska Airlines.

Alaska Airlines’ other 17 new routes are:

Boise, Idaho – Bozeman, Montana

Boise, Idaho – Orange County, California

Los Angeles – Kelowna, British Columbia

San Diego – Reno, Nevada

San Diego -Vail, Colorado (Eagle County)

Seattle, Washington -Vail, Colorado (Eagle County)

San Francisco – Liberia

Seattle, Washington – Liberia

Sacramento – Los Cabos

Sacramento – Tucson, Arizona

Sacramento – Orlando, Florida

Boise, Idaho – Orlando, Florida

New York – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Sacramento – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Kansas City, Missouri-Cancun, Mexico

Kansas City, Missouri – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

St. Louis, Missouri – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico