Inaugural Flights

ALASKA AIRLINES: PALM SPRINGS TO SANTA ROSA INAUGURAL FLIGHT OCTOBER 26, 2025

A brand new route for Alaska Airlines, linking Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to Charles M Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa, California. As this route was previously served by Avelo, this inaugural flight was a rather low key affair, but included something Avelo did not feature: FIRST CLASS.

Aircraft: Embraer E175

Registration: N178SY (Alaska SkyWest)

Flown: YES

Seat: 4A (First Class)

ALASKA AIRLINES: SEATTLE TO SEOUL INAUGURAL FLIGHT CELEBRATION

A featured route for Alaska Air Group, as this links Seattle, Washington with Seoul, South Korea, giving Alaska Airlines passengers nonstop access to one of Asia's most important cities. Operated by a Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, this inaugural flight celebration blends South Korean K-Pop with a traditional Hawaiian blessing, custom for all Hawaiian Airlines operated inaugural flights.

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Registration: N783HA (Hawaiian Airlines)

Flown: NO

VOLARIS: ONTARIO TO LOS CABOS INAUGURAL FLIGHT CELEBRATION

A brand new route for Ontario International Airport (ONT) and the Inland Empire with Volaris linking ONT with San Jose del Cabo (SJD), aka "Los Cabos." This inaugural flight celebration features a mariachi band, Mexican cuisine, and speeches from ONT and Volaris executives. Los Cabos is a major tourist destination on the Baja California peninsula, so this new flight would allow Americans to vacation in Los Cabos, and Mexican residents an opportunity to connect with loved ones in the United States.

Aircraft: Airbus A320neo

Registration: N552VL (Volaris, WE LOVE LA)

Flown: NO

DELTA AIRLINES: SALT LAKE CITY TO SEOUL INAUGURAL FLIGHT - GATE CELEBRATION

Linking Salt Lake City (SLC), Delta's intermountain west hub, with Seoul-Incheon (ICN), Korean Air's main hub and international gateway to South Korea, Delta Airlines went all out to put on an unforgettable celebration to launch their first transpacific service from SLC in fourteen years. As Delta Airlines and Korean Air are in the SkyTeam alliance, this inaugural flight celebration brought out the best in Delta Airlines and Korean snacks, plus a couple celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary. Fittingly enough, this inaugural flight was operated by an Airbus A350 bearing Delta's 100 Years Livery.

Aircraft: Airbus A350

Registration: N527DN (Delta Airlines, 100 Years Livery)

Flown: NO

UNITED AIRLINES INAUGURAL FLIGHT: PALM SPRINGS TO WASHINGTON DC DECEMBER 19, 2024

Linking Palm Springs, California to Washington DC for the first time, United's inaugural flight from Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) featured a balloon arch, news coverage from KESQ News Channel 3 and NBC Palm Springs, and sweets from Simply Sweet by Lara. Following the celebration, we flew the flight in Main Cabin, and were treated to even more in-flight treats and a spectacular sunset en route to the nation's capital.

Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8

Registration: N27273 (United Airlines)

Flown: YES

Seat: 30A (Main Cabin)

PORTER AIRLINES: WELCOME TO PALM SPRINGS

As a brand new carrier to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), Porter Airlines brings a fresh image to travel between PSP and Toronto-Pearson International Airport. Using its Embraer E195-E2 series aircraft, passengers can choose between window and aisle seats. Although this inaugural flight was not flown, treats from Simply Sweet by Lara were provided, alongside Coachella Valley Coffee, and news coverage from NBC Palm Springs. Speeches were made by Jake Ingrassia of Palm Springs International Airport and Porter Airlines executives before departure, which was a reverse ops takeoff from Runway 13R.

Aircraft: Embraer E195-E2

Registration: C-GKQR (Porter Airlines)

Flown: NO

AVELO AIRLINES: ONTARIO TO SANTA ROSA INAUGURAL FLIGHT

A new carrier to Ontario, California (at the time of this flight), Avelo Airlines brought the first ever link between Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Charles M Schulz International Airport (STS) in Santa Rosa, California. As such, this inaugural flight featured a gate celebration at ONT, complete with snacks, refreshments, ONT merchandise, and a ribbon cutting before boarding.

On arrival into Santa Rosa, we're treated to views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge before making our final approach into STS, where ground staff handed out goodie bags to all passengers.

NOTE: Avelo ended this route in Spring 2025. However, Alaska Airlines will soon launch an ONT-STS service of their own in March 2026, filling the void left by Avelo's departure from ONT.

Aircraft: Boeing 737-700

Registration: N701VL (Avelo Airlines)

Flown: YES

Seat: 3A (Standard)

ALASKA AIRLINES: PALM SPRINGS TO NEW YORK-JFK INAUGURAL FLIGHT

As the primary carrier serving Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), Alaska Airlines made quite the splash with their inaugural service from PSP to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Once served by Virgin America, PSP-JFK was an unserved route for Alaska Airlines until December 2023, with this inaugural flight. Starting off with sweet treats, balloons, and speeches from city officials, we're greeted by not one, but TWO aircraft: A Boeing 737 MAX 9 and a Boeing 737-900ER. The MAX 9 operated the inaugural inbound while the -900ER operated the inaugural outbound.

After pushback from Gate 9, we're waived off by ground staff before taking off from Runway 31L. During the flight, we fly over The Grand Canyon, treated to a spectacular sunset, before passing directly over New York City and the Hudson River. Topping it all off, this video ends at the TWA Hotel, located inside the TWA Flight Center.

Aircraft: Boeing 737-900ER

Registration: N285AK

Flown: YES

Seat: 7A (Premium)