Since You Asked: Direct flights between Medford, LAX more than a month away

Jan. 8—It appears flights between Medford and Los Angeles have been canceled for now. Are there any plans to restart by Alaska or United in the near future?

— Richard K., via email

There are plans in the works to restart direct flights from Medford to Los Angeles International Airport, Richard, but not until the second half of February.

We reached out to Amber Judd, interim director at the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, and she confirmed that right now the only option for travelers heading from MFR to LAX is via a connecting flight after United canceled the flight late last fall.

"Due to pilot shortages, United has decided to focus on San Francisco," Judd said.

The pilot shortage is a nationwide problem.

"It's a big problem, but it affects everyone," Judd said.

United pulled direct flights to LAX from Medford and Eugene among 10 other flights across the country, according to a Sept. 30 report in travel news website The Points Guy and an Oct. 3 report in the Eugene Register-Guard.

Relief is in the wings, according to Judd. She said Alaska Airlines is planning to resume direct flights to LAX Feb. 16.

"They'll resume daily service," Judd said. "They're also struggling with pilots, but they're scheduled to resume that service in February."

In the meantime, an option for travelers flying to the greater Los Angeles area is Avelo Airlines, which offers direct flights to Hollywood Burbank Airport, formerly known as Bob Hope Airport.

Judd said Allegiant Air also is working to bring service connecting Southern Oregon to Southern California, "but probably not until May." She said the airport and the airline are still ironing out the details.

For the latest on Medford airport flights and schedules, see jacksoncounty.org/airport.

Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; or by email to youasked@rosebudmedia.com.