Alaska Airlines shifts growth focus to Portland as Seattle‑Tacoma nears capacity

Alaska Airlines is planning to grow beyond its West Coast hubs by routing more connecting traffic through Portland and keeping seats in Seattle for local passengers, according to chief commercial officer Andrew Harrison.

Seattle‑Tacoma Airport is expected to reach capacity by 2032, which could trigger flight restrictions, disruptions and higher airfares, and is undergoing a multi‑billion‑dollar renovation that includes expanding Concourse C; Alaska also sees upgauging opportunities with Boeing 737 Max 10s (188 seats) and Max 7s (124 seats) and is looking at Paine Field as another option.