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Alaska Airlines to Launch Boise-Santa Rosa Flights

The carrier is adding seasonal nonstop service between Boise and California wine country beginning November 1.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Air Travel

Screen-print poster illustration of a grapevine stalk and architectural form, representing the new travel route to California wine country.
Alaska Airlines will begin seasonal nonstop service between Boise and California's Sonoma County on November 1, restoring a key regional travel connection. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Alaska Airlines will begin operating nonstop flights from Boise Airport to the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport on Sunday, November 1. This seasonal service will connect Idaho travelers to the California wine region through April 19, 2027.

Why it matters

The new route restores a direct connection to Santa Rosa that was previously served by Avelo Airlines until April 2025. It aims to provide Idaho residents with easier access to Northern California for both tourism and regional travel.

Flights will run until April 19, 2027, with the total journey lasting less than two hours. Starting round-trip tickets are priced at $347, though holiday peak dates like Christmas reach $427 and late November travel can reach $662.

The players

Alaska Airlines

This major American carrier operates a fleet of commercial aircraft and provides extensive domestic and international passenger service.

Boise Airport

Located in Idaho, this facility serves as the primary aviation hub for the state capital and surrounding Treasure Valley.

Avelo Airlines

This low-cost carrier previously provided direct connectivity between Boise and Santa Rosa before ending the route.

The details

Alaska Airlines is utilizing its commercial aircraft fleet to serve the route, which will operate until the conclusion of the season in April. Members of the carrier's rewards program can utilize the Wine Flies Free benefit, which permits the free check of up to 12 bottles of wine weighing up to 50 pounds.

Timeline

  1. Avelo Airlines ended previous nonstop service in April 2025.

  2. New Alaska Airlines service begins on November 1, 2026.

  3. Seasonal flight service concludes on April 19, 2027.

Travel Outlook

The introduction of this route highlights the airline industry's trend of prioritizing regional connections between high-demand tourism hubs. By aligning this new service with the Wine Flies Free program, Alaska Airlines is positioning itself to capture seasonal leisure traffic in the wine-growing regions.

Travelers should budget for varying seasonal prices, with holiday tickets ranging from $427 for Christmas to $662 for late November. Those participating in the wine program can utilize the free checked wine benefit at Boise, Friedman Memorial, or Idaho Falls airports.

The takeaway

This seasonal route offers a direct, time-saving alternative for Idahoans looking to visit Northern California's wine country. Passengers should ensure they are enrolled in the carrier's rewards program to take advantage of the free checked wine allowance for their return trip.

What happens next

The seasonal flight service is scheduled to conclude on April 19, 2027.

Further reading

For additional updates on regional connectivity, visit the Air Travel section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Idaho Statesman.

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