United Airlines' $2.6 Billion Bet On San Francisco Solves The 1 Problem LAX & Seattle Can't Fix

Pacific hubs have become increasingly important for airlines, not only in the United States but in North America as a whole. Consider Alaska Airlines' Pacific gateway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Air Canada's West Coast base at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and even United Airlines' remarkable growth at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). They all offer a convenient base for flights not only to Asia, but also to destinations in the Pacific islands, Hawaii, and Alaska.