Alaska Airlines expands its Bay Area to Hawaii flying starting Sunday March 11 with new daily nonstop service from Oakland and San Jose, CA to Lihue on the island of Kauai and Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. The airline previously served these markets with three to four flights a week.

“We are essentially doubling our service from Oakland and San Jose to Kauai and the Big Island,” said Joe Sprague, Alaska’s vice president of marketing.

“Going to seven flights a week to each of these islands makes it more convenient than ever for Bay Area travelers flying to Hawaii.

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Starting April 10, Alaska Airlines will inaugurate daily flights to Honolulu from Oakland and San Jose. Combined with the carrier’s existing service to Maui, Alaska Airlines will offer daily service to Hawaii’s four major islands from both Oakland and San Jose.

To celebrate the new service, Alaska Airlines is offering one-way fares of $179 for a limited time on select Oakland and San Jose flights to Hawaii. Tickets must be purchased by March 15 for travel from April 17 through May 16 (except for San Jose-Kona, where travel is valid from April 23 through May 16). Fares are for travel Monday through Friday and include all government taxes and fees. In addition, Alaska Airlines Vacations is offering $250 off Hawaii vacation packages for travel booked by March 19 and completed by June 30, 2012.

Alaska Airlines, 800-ALASKAAIR, www.

alaskaair.com;Alaska Airlines Vacations, www.alaskaair.com/vacations