Alaska Airlines launches Portland-Oahu flights with $169 airfare, Kona soon at $179

laska Airlines, which launched daily nonstop flights between Portland, Oregon, and Oahu yesterday, will also begin seasonal nonstop service between Portland and Kona on the Big Island on Nov. 12.

The good news for fall and winter Hawaii travelers flying or connecting from Portland? Introductory airfare deals for both routes.

Alaska Air’s daily Portland-Oahu route is launching with one-way fares at $169 for travel now through Feb. 16, 2011. The Seattle-based carrier’s four-times-weekly Portland-Kona flights was announced with an introductory $179 one-way fare for travel between Nov. 12, 2010, and Feb. 16, 2011.

As always, the catch is that you’ll have only a brief window of time to book the flights. Tickets must be purchased by Sept. 27.

Flight days and times for the new daily routes are:

• Portland, Ore.-Honolulu, Oahu

Departure: 7:35 a.m. (West coast time)
Arrival: 11:35 a.m. (Hawaii time)
Flight days: Daily

• Honolulu, Oahu-Portland, Ore.

Departure: 12:35 p.m. (Hawaii time)
Arrival: 8:05 p.m. (West coast time)
Flight days: Daily

• Portland, Ore.-Kona, Big Island

Departure: 5:40 p.m. (West coast time)
Arrival: 9:50 p.m. (Hawaii time)
Flight days: Mon., Wed. Fri., Sat.

• Kona, Big Island-Portland, Ore.

Departure: 9:25 a.m. (Hawaii time)
Arrival: 5 p.m. (West coast time)
Flight days: Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat.

Alaska Airline’s Portland-Kona route is a seasonal one, which will end on April 9, 2011.

For reservations and ticket purchase, terms, conditions and blackout dates, visit www.alaskaair.com, or call (800) 252-7522.