RENO, NV – Alaska Airlines knows the way to San Jose and they will begin flying two flights per day between Reno-Tahoe International Airport and the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport beginning June 4.

Landing new air service to San Jose comes at a perfect time for the region. With Southwest Airlines ending service to San Jose in April, Alaska Airlines is demonstrating their commitment to the community and filling a route that will meet the needs of both leisure and business travelers alike.

“When we learned Southwest was leaving this key Bay Area market, the airport’s air service team immediately contacted Alaska,” Krys Bart, President/CEO of Reno-Tahoe International Airport, said. “Alaska is already a great partner for our community with their Seattle service and Reno-San Jose is an ideal fit for the Alaska network.”

Flights will be timed to meet all of Alaska’s Hawaii flights as well as having an early morning Reno departure to benefit business travelers. The new service offers the fastest and most convenient route from Reno to Kona, Hawaii.

Travelers can literally depart Reno at 6 a.m. and land in Kona at 10 a.m. without changing airlines. The new San Jose service also provides outstanding connections to the entire Alaska network each day, including flights to:

Boise, ID, US

Guadalajara, MX

Kona/Hawaii, HI, US

Los Angeles, CA, US

Lihue/Kauai, HI, US

Kahului/Maui, HI, US

Portland, OR, US

Palm Springs, CA, US

Seattle/Tacoma, WA, US

San Jose Cabo, MX

Flights are available for booking today. The new flights begin with a 6 a.m. departure from Reno and 7:08 a.m. arrival in San Jose. There is an 11:55 a.m. departure from San Jose with a 1 p.m. Reno arrival and a 2:15 p.m. Reno departure that lands in San Jose at 3:23 p.m. The final flight each day will be a 10:20 p.m. departure from San Jose with an 11:25 p.m. arrival in Reno.

To celebrate Alaska’s new service, the carrier is offering $69* fares on flights between San Jose and Reno. Tickets must be purchased by Jan. 25 and can be used for travel from June 5 through July 18, 2012. Visit www.alaskaair.com to purchase a ticket or call 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522 or TTY/TDD line 1-800-392-0228).

Members of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan can also earn double miles on the new nonstop flights between June 4 and July 31, 2012. To qualify, customers must first register at www.alaskaair.com.

The new routes will be operated for Alaska by Horizon Air using 76-seat Bombardier Q400s. Travelers can enjoy Horizon’s award-winning onboard service, which includes complimentary Starbucks coffee, soft drinks, and (for passengers 21 and older) wines and microbrews.

“We encourage our community to show their appreciation to Alaska Airlines for keeping this important market by filling the seats on these great, convenient new flights,” Bart said.