Seattle, August 8 - Alaska Airlines, a Seattle-based carrier with a storied history of serving North American destinations, is poised to make a significant leap into the transatlantic market, marking its first-ever flights to Europe in 2026. This ambitious expansion, fueled by the airline’s recent acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, represents a transformative step in Alaska’s evolution from a regional powerhouse to a global player. The move not only broadens the airline’s reach but also introduces a striking new livery for its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, signaling a fresh chapter in its brand identity. This strategic push is part of a broader vision to establish Seattle as a premier global gateway, connecting the Pacific Northwest to key international destinations.
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The airline’s transatlantic debut will feature nonstop flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to three European cities: Rome, London Heathrow, and Reykjavik, Iceland. Flights to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport are set to begin in May 2026, operating four times weekly on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The route will depart Seattle at 6:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, arriving in Rome at 1:45 p.m. the following day, with return flights leaving Rome at 3:45 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, landing in Seattle at 6:00 p.m. local time. This service will be the first nonstop connection between Seattle and Rome, filling a gap in the market, as no other airline currently operates this route. Additionally, daily flights to London Heathrow and seasonal service to Reykjavik, starting in spring 2026, will further strengthen Alaska’s European presence. The Seattle-London route, covering approximately 9½ hours, targets one of the most sought-after international business and leisure markets, while the 7½-hour Seattle-Reykjavik flight will operate during the summer season, catering to travelers drawn to Iceland’s long daylight hours.
The acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in September 2024 for $1.9 billion has been a catalyst for this expansion, providing Alaska with a fleet of four Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 13 more on order, alongside 25 Airbus A330s. These widebody aircraft, capable of long-haul flights, contrast with Alaska’s previous reliance on single-aisle jets suited for shorter routes. The 787-9s, which will feature the new livery, offer enhanced passenger comfort with fully lie-flat seats and privacy doors in business class, a significant upgrade from the 737 Max and a nod to the growing demand for premium travel options since the pandemic. The new exterior design, described as Alaska’s “first-ever global livery,” reflects the airline’s heritage while embracing its global ambitions. Notably, the iconic smiling Inuit, known as Chester, a fixture on Alaska’s tails since 1992, will be absent from the 17 Dreamliners but will remain on most of the airline’s other jets. Alaska’s European venture is part of a broader plan to launch 12 nonstop international routes from Seattle by 2030, leveraging its growing fleet and strengthened partnerships with oneworld Alliance members like American Airlines and British Airways. The airline has already initiated long-haul service to Tokyo Narita in May 2025 and will launch flights to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport on September 12, 2025, both operated by Hawaiian Airlines’ widebody aircraft.
These routes, combined with the European expansion, position Seattle as a critical hub, offering seamless connectivity to travelers from the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Hawaii. The Rome route, in particular, taps into a market with 43,000 round-trip passengers annually, making it Seattle’s largest unserved European destination, though its leisure-heavy traffic may yield lower fares compared to business-centric routes like London or Paris. This expansion underscores Alaska’s commitment to redefining the international travel experience. The new 787-9s will introduce an evolved onboard experience, blending Alaska’s reputation for outstanding service with modern amenities tailored for long-haul journeys. As the airline integrates Hawaiian’s operations, it plans to maintain distinct brands, with Hawaiian’s Airbus A330s based in Honolulu and Alaska’s 787s in Seattle. By 2026, Alaska aims to unify frequent flyer programs and secure a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration, ensuring a seamless and safe experience for passengers. This bold move not only enhances Alaska’s competitive stance against rivals like Delta Air Lines, which dominates Seattle’s international market, but also offers travelers more choices and flexibility, backed by the airline’s highly regarded Mileage Plan. With its new livery and transatlantic routes, Alaska Airlines is charting a course to become a formidable global carrier.