Alaska Airlines on July 17 launched new daily nonstop service between Seattle and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "Our flights continue to provide travelers with convenient service between the Pacific Northwest and South Florida, with even easier access now to the popular cruise ship port of Fort Lauderdale," said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing.

With the introduction of Seattle-Fort Lauderdale service, Alaska Airlines is discontinuing flights to Miami, a city the airline has served from its Seattle hub since 2002. With 27 miles separating Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports, Sprague said the change should have little effect on customers. Members of Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan can earn double miles on the carrier's nonstop flights between Seattle and Fort Lauderdale for travel through Sept. 11, 2012. To qualify, customers must first register at www.alaskaair.com.

Alaska Airlines is operating the flights with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin. All flights offer Alaska's Northern Bites meal service, which provides passengers in the main cabin with a hot meal for $6 or a cheese and fruit platter for $7. The flights also offer Alaska's in-flight entertainment system, a handheld video-on-demand device featuring more than 70 hit movies, along with television programs and other entertainment. The in-flight entertainment players are complimentary in first class and available for $10 in the main cabin.