(Seattle, WA)  --  Alaska Airlines is now offering the first direct scheduled flights to Cuba from the West Coast.  KING-5 reports the flights originate in Seattle, stop in Los Angeles and continue on to Cuba.  Alaska is one of eight U.S. carriers offering flights to the island nation under authorization from the U.S. Transportation Department, which is allowing 20 flights a day on assigned routes.  Officials say the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba remains in place and Americans who wish to travel to the island have to have a reason such as family trips, business trips or cultural exchanges.