Seattle-based Horizon Air at one time flew CRJ-700s for the Alaska Air Group until they revamped their fleet with Bombardier Q400s and dropped the CRJ service. This program was completed and then Alaska Airlines made the decision to drop the Horizon Air brand name repainting the aircraft into full Alaska Airlines colours. Recently Alaska Airlines completed an agreement with Skywest to fly Bombardier CRJ-700 regional jets on some of their west coast routes.
The agreement will have Skywest fly 22 daily CRJ-700 flights between Seattle/Portland International Airport and Burbank, Fresno, Long Beach, Ontario and Santa Barbara.
Alaska Airlines Bombardier CRJ-700 (N215AG) operated by Skywest seen at SEA.Photo by Keith Draycott.
Skywest is leasing the CRJ-700s from Horizon Air and flying them for Alaska under their colours. The aircraft will display the Alaska Airlines livery with small Skywest markings on the fuselage. The first aircraft to undergo this change and enter service was MSN 10009 N215AG which is ex-Horizon Air N601QX.
It is expected that the complete fleet swap and in-service activation of the remaining aircraft will be completed by the end of June 2011.
