Multiple airlines are adding flights from Seattle to the Bay Area after the Seahawks secured their Super Bowl LX berth, responding to surging demand from fans scrambling to book travel for the February 8 championship game.
Alaska Airlines announced 16 additional round-trip flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to both San Jose and San Francisco. American Airlines scheduled special flights from Seattle to San Jose on February 5, 6, and 7, departing at 1:15 p.m. and arriving at 3:27 p.m. United Airlines is adding one direct round-trip flight, assigning it flight number 1411 as a nod to Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (number 14) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (number 11).
The Seahawks’ victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday’s NFC Championship triggered immediate travel demand. Fans who waited to see if Seattle would advance now face the challenge of booking flights, hotels, and game tickets with less than two weeks before kickoff at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Airlines typically add capacity for major sporting events, but the timing matters. Super Bowl travel peaks in the week before the game as fans finalize plans and ticket holders confirm their attendance. Airlines adding flights now are betting that Seattle’s passionate fan base will fill seats even at premium prices.
The decision to route flights through San Jose and San Francisco reflects Levi’s Stadium’s location in Santa Clara, roughly equidistant between both airports. San Jose sits closer at about 10 miles, while San Francisco International is roughly 35 miles away. Ground transportation from either airport to the stadium adds another layer of logistics for fans planning their trips.
For Seattle’s economy, the Super Bowl represents both celebration and temporary disruption. Thousands of fans leaving the region for the weekend means reduced local spending, though the long-term benefits of civic pride and national attention typically outweigh short-term losses. Local bars and restaurants hosting watch parties will still see crowds, but nothing matches the energy of a home playoff game.
The last time Seattle reached the Super Bowl was 2015, when the Seahawks lost to New England. That game also took place in the Bay Area at Levi’s Stadium, creating a sense of unfinished business for fans making the trip this time.
