Buenos dias everyone. I shared a few months ago that Alaska Airlines announced new flights to Mexico City from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Although they are still awaiting for approval from Mexican authorities to operate the flights, they have announced tentative start dates and are now accepting reservations. Flights from SFO and LAX begin on August 8th, with SAN following on November 6 (probably because they have to wait to have a new Embraer 175 available).

Start planning! Mexico City flights on sale now. LAX & SFO start August 8. SAN starts Nov 6. https://t.co/yOTMfIO5zU *Pending gov. approval pic.twitter.com/3oIaqnMFTj

— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) May 18, 2017

Flights from San Francisco are currently going for $211 one way or $450 roundtrip, with Los Angeles closer to $300-$350 roundtrip. This difference makes sense, since there are 15 flights a day to Mexico City from Los Angeles and only 5-6 from San Francisco. San Diego prices start at $411 roundtrip, which is pretty steep considering you can fly from Tijuana for $180 on Aeromexico or less than $100 on a low-cost carrier.

One-way prices from SFO to MEX on Alaska Airlines

The flights can also be booked using miles – it’ll run you 35,000 Alaska miles or 20,000 British Airways Avios + about $90 in taxes and fees for roundtrip flights.

I went ahead and reserved a seat on the inaugural flight from SFO on August 8 – unfortunately, they’ve blocked off the lowest paid and award fare classes for that day, probably knowing they can command a premium from #avgeeks like me, so it’s going for 35,000 miles or $300 one way (that cash ticket is upgradeable with an Alaska Gold Guest Upgrade, though, and award flights are instantly upgradeable for MVP members).

I’m actually using Membership Rewards points to book a First Class ticket though – it’s only $100 more than a coach ticket, and after the 50% rebate from my Business Platinum card it will cost me just over 20,000 MR points – and I’ll earn 2,800 American miles and 564 Elite Qualifying Dollars (or 3,300 Alaska miles).

Have you ever taken an inaugural flight? Will these new routes inspire you to come visit me in Mexico City? Let me know in the comments!